DOLGELLAU moved to the top of Division Two North West with a 12-try romp against luckless Rhyl, who had arrived without sufficient front row cover, resulting in uncontested scrums.

It took centre Gareth Hughes less than two minutes to set the tone as he rounded the cover to score the first try, converted by fellow centre Dan Brazier.

Two minutes later, wing Rob Pugh weaved his way out of defence, and stand-off Jac Roberts put in winger Iwan Pugh, to make it 12-0.

Fullback Gerwyn Pugh, centre Hughes, with his second try, and prop Greg Smithies barged over in quick succession, with Brazier adding two conversions to lead 31-0 after 15 minutes.

Rhyl steadied the ship in the second quarter, and Dolgellau were restricted to two further tries by wing Dylan Evans and second row Danny Evans, both converted by Brazier, to open up a 43-0 lead at the interval.

Fullback Pugh and second row Evans added their second tries of the match, both converted by Brazier, to put the home side 57-0 in front, before Rhyl finally got on the scoresheet with a deserved score by No 8 and skipper Dale Blackmore.

Dolgellau winger Dylan Evans crossed for a second try, and the outstanding Danny Evans completed his hat-trick, with Brazier converting both for a 71-5 lead.

Another spirited fightback by the visitors saw second row Ashley Brown cross over for try, and stand-off Simon Cheetham added the conversion on the half-hour.

Dolgellau gave young lock Iwan Evans and wing Jack Evans their first team debuts, and the latter player rounded off the scoring with two minutes left, when crossing in the right corner.

Brazier converted to complete the scoring at 78-12.FLANKER Matthew Hughes bagged a hat-trick of tries as Machynlleth got themselves up and running in Division Two North East in a free scoring 29-35 win at Flint.

After a really encouraging opening day defeat to Llanidloes, Mach continued the good work to collect a bonus point victory, to boost their prospects for the season.

There were chances at both ends, with Machynlleth getting the first score when Hughes opened his account with a touchdown by driving over from a line-out. Fly half Stefan Price added the conversion.

Flint hit back with two tries, one converted, either side of a penalty, to lead 15-7, but the visitors scored their second try when Hughes charged over following a line-out, with Price again converting.

Mach were in front at half-time as Flint kicked the ball upfield, but Kameron Simmons-Sandy picked up before running from deep and outpacing the defence to score. Price converted for a 21-15 lead.

Hughes completed his hat-trick soon after the interval with a pushover score, with Price kicking the extras, but Flint were in no mood to surrender as they crossed the line again under the posts after a breakaway, to reduce the arrears to 28-22.

Simmons-Sandy then burst down the line for his second try, also converted by Price, to give Mach some breathing space.

Flint ensured a tense finish with another converted score, but the visitors - who had four subs for the trip to Deeside - held on to make it a very happy return home.HARLECH won their first home game of the season with a convincing 22-7 bonus point win over Menai Bridge in Division Two North West.

The Castlemen had opened the scoring with a try in the left corner from winger Tom Pugh, with the conversion kick being narrowly missed.

With Harlech dominating, the visitors had a break-away try before half time, scored by fly half Dion McGrath, which he converted.The Castlemen, however, fought back hard and captain Alex Evans went over for their second try, and converted it himself, bringing the score up to 12-7.

The second half started well for Harlech, with a try by Eilir Hughes, and despite a series of counter-attacks by Menai Bridge, the visitors failed to add to their score.

Finally the bonus point came with a try by centre Andrew Stone-Williams.