IN-FORM Bethesda clinched their second away win in seven days to move clear of relegation trouble in Division One North, and in doing so send Dolgellau into the bottom two in the table with their 12-3 away win.

With the benefit of a stiff biting easterly wind, bringing with it the occasional flurry of snowflakes, Bethesda had dominated early on.

They took the lead after 10 minutes as full-back, Gethin Long elected to find touch rather than chance a pot at goal, and they were rewarded as from the resulting line-out, their forwards drove on, and prop Paul Thomas went over for a five point lead.

Dolgellau gamely tried to run from deep, but after 25 minutes, they turned the ball over, and Bethesda’s counter attack was clinical as centre Huw Williams put in full-back Gethin Long for the try.

Long then slotted over the conversion to make it 0-12.

Bethesda’s defence withstood all Dolgellau could throw at them, but in the final minute of the half, referee Robert Jones lost patience with skipper Danial Jones and issued a yellow card for continued infringement at the off-side line.

Dolgellau started the second half strongly and replacement Bryn Jones, prop Greg Smithies, and No 8 Dylan Llewelyn almost carved a scoring opportunity, but it was the closest they came to scoring, such was Bethesda’s composure in defence.

For all their effort, Dolgellau could only succeed with a solitary penalty by stand-off, Gerwyn Thomas after five minutes to make it 3-12.

Dolgellau tried in vain to keep the pressure on, with the benefit of the wind, but the visitors grew in stature and commanded the rest of the game, with their half backs and forwards combining well. Dolgellau’s Owain Thomas and Rhys Lewis thwarted certain Bethesda scores, and the visitors played out the match comfortably to secure the win.