DOLGELLAU could take the positives from their narrow 22-15 home defeat to Ruthin in their Division One North match.

The visitors’ speedy three-quarters earned them a try bonus point to maintain their slim chance of making the top spot, but Dolgellau could at least take comfort from a well-earned losing bonus.

In perfect conditions, Dolgellau centre Owain Thomas gathered a loose Ruthin kick-off and made the yards, before being hauled down on the 22 - but he pulled a hamstring, to be replaced by Eben Jones.

Ruthin winger Josh Wilson then showed a glimpse of what was to come after 10 minutes, but he was forced to knock on by the outstanding defence of Dolgellau winger Rhys Lewis. Wilson made amends 10 minutes later when finishing off a slick handling move to score wide out on the right and make the score 0-5.

On the half hour mark, the visitors were probing again, and this time No 8 Chris Davies skirted around a ruck to score a try. This time, full-back Dyfan Humphreys converted to make the score 0-12.

Dolgellau responded well, however, and young flanker Cai Lewis-Smith won the ball at the front of a line-out five metres out. The home forwards drove forwards and skipper Rhys Roberts touched down for a great forwards try, to make it 5-12 and all to play for at the interval.

Two minutes into the second half, Dolgellau No 8 and man of the match Marius Jones was the instigator, as brother Tim, at flanker, broke free to release wing Geraint Owen in for the try in the right corner, to bring the hosts right back into contention, with the score at 10-12.

The visitors, were looking dangerous as the match wore on, and once more their three-quarters spotted space down Dolgellau’s left flank, for replacement centre Jamie Jones to score wide out.

With seven minutes remaining they were at it again, this time with speed merchant Josh Wilson scoring his second try of the match, to make the score 10-22.

Dolgellau centre Gareth Hughes and wing Dafydd Ellis came close, but with two minutes remaining a perfect catch and drive saw outstanding prop Eon Williams crash over to make the score 15-22.

BRO FFESTINIOG 8 PWLLHELI 16

PWLLHELI bounced back from their defeat by Dolgellau by completing a season’s double over improving Bro Ffestiniog, who are still firmly rooted at the bottom of Division One North standings.

This first points of the game came on 10 minutes when the hosts were penalised for not releasing, and hooker Alan Roberts split the posts from 26 metres out.

Pwllheli, playing up the slight slope at Cae Dolawel, dominated most of the first half as Bro hardly crossed into the visitors’ 22 during the opening 30 minutes.

Good breaks by No 8 Tom Parry put the visitors on the front foot, and a penalty was awarded against Bro for holding on, which gave Pwllheli an attacking scrum five - and after six phases flanker Eifion Roberts crossed over the line for a try, with Alan Roberts adding the conversion.

Bro were then awarded a penalty for holding on, and fly half Mathew Haydn’s successful conversion made the score 3-10 as they went into the half-time break.

Ffestiniog began the second period much better, but whilst they dominated most of the possession they made it difficult for themselves through handling errors and incorrect decisions.

A yellow card for Pwllheli lock Huw Williams gave Bro an extra man advantage, and they chose to scrum from the penalty. Eight phases later, deep in Pwllheli’s 22, scrum half Aron Roberts crossed for the try, but Haydn pulled the conversion wide, and failed to tie the score.

The visitors had to play the last 15 minutes with just 14 players with no replacements as flanker Eifion Roberts had to leave the pitch following an earlier injury.

Hooker Roberts extended his side’s lead from a penalty kick for a high tackle, and another successful penalty kick gave his side an 8 point lead - with Bro Ffestiniog needing to score twice to win the game.

Bro crossed the whitewash through Dylan Jones but the prop was denied the try, because it was adjudged to be held up. The hosts continued to pressurise their opponents, but determined Pwllheli kept them out through some fierce defence.

Bro were awarded a penalty in the very last play and should have taken the penalty to at least give them a losing bonus point - but they kicked for touch and Pwllheli won the line-out and cleared.

With no league games during the next couple of weeks due to the Six Nations Championship, Bro Ffestiniog will have to gather themselves and work hard in training if they are to give themselves any chance of survival in Division One North.

•BALA slipped to a narrow 10-11 defeat against Llangefni - just seven days after they were edged out by league leaders Llandudno by the narrowest of margins.

Bala took the lead after only 10 minutes with a penalty try, but a penalty from Greg Horsman reduced the gap, and he then put through a deft grubber kick for full back Gethin Andrews to gather and score his side’s first try of the afternoon.

Bala reclaimed the lead in a scrappy second half when Luis Prieto kicked a penalty, but then in injury time Llangefni were dramatically awarded a penalty in front of the posts, and Horsman successfully kicked it to secure a narrow win.