THREE penalties from the boot of Bridgend Sports full-back Josh Davies was enough to ease the visitors into the quarter-finals the national WRU Bowl with an 8-9 win at Dolgellau.

In a tense and even contest, both defences were very much on top and clear scoring opportunities were at a premium.

Sports had the benefit of a stiff breeze during the first period and full-back Josh Davies put wide a penalty on 7 minutes.

The visitors enjoyed all the possession and territory during the first half hour, but they had to rely on Dolgellau full-back Rob Pugh not releasing, whilst launching a counter attack for Josh Davies to put them three points ahead after 23 minutes.

Dolgellau were punished for several high tackles, and Josh Davies missed two further penalties for the visiting team.

The hosts’ first foray into Sports territory saw centre Henri Roberts miss a difficult penalty on 37 minutes, but a minute later he made amends when he slotted a similar penalty to make it 3-3 at the interval.

Dolgellau sensed that, with the benefit of the elements, they could impose themselves better during the second period.

Bridgend played intelligently, however, and their second row Rhys Obbard carried very efficiently- and Dolgellau could not gain any foothold on proceedings.

As a result, indiscipline under pressure at the tackle area cost them two penalties, which were gleefully converted by Josh Davies for 3-9 lead some 12 minutes in.

Going into the last quarter, Dolgellau finally exerted pressure and second row Marius Jones made sufficient ground that allowed their three-quarters some space.

Centre Roberts obliged with a deft chip over the cover and the chase was on, with his strength managing to touch down, despite illegal efforts of the scrambling defence to haul him down without the ball.

Ironically, a penalty try would have been an automatic seven pointer, but Roberts’ own conversion drifted agonisingly wide, leaving the scores finely poised at 8-9.

A grandstand finish did not materialise as the visitors closed out the last 12 minutes, missing two penalty attempts, as Dolgellau lost Marius Jones to the sin-bin.