VISITING Cobra survived a relentless second half onslaught from determined Dolgellau to claim a brave 10-13 mid Wales derby win - albeit by the skin of their teeth.

The game was a personal triumph for visiting stand-off Llew Williams, who had grabbed their only try, as well as all the kicking points to emerge as match-winner.

In atrocious conditions, it was the visitors who had the benefit of a squalling, gusting wind in the first period.

Williams missed a kickable penalty after seven minutes, but Dolgellau defended all that Cobra threw at them until 20 minutes into the game.

A breakdown in the middle of the park saw Cobra fly-hack through and stand-off Williams outpaced the cover defence to touch down. He added the conversion to put the visiting side 7-0 ahead.

Ten minutes later Williams made it 10-0 as Dolgellau were caught off-side, and after 35 minutes of play, following another fly-hack through, Dolgellau’s scrambling defence was harshly penalised in front of the posts, giving Williams, a relatively easy three points to put his team 13-0 ahead.

From that point on, Dolgellau enjoyed all the possession and territory. With only four minutes of the half remaining, a surge outstanding No 8, Dewi Thomas, was halted only yards short, but he found time to off-load a quick short pass to hooker, Geraint Evans, to go over in the corner, and at 5-13 at half time there was all to play for.

Despite matching Dolgellau in the set scums, the visitors were put under immense pressure throughout a tense second period, but visiting captain Iwan Vaughan can be proud of the way they held on and repelled all that Dolgellau threw at them.

Dolgellau prop Huw Emyr Jones went close, but after 25 minutes a chip ahead by the hosts’ scrum half Owain Thomas almost saw winger Llion Lloyd touch down.

The home side were frustrated until the last five minutes, when all the pressure finally told. Skipper Gerwyn Thomas switched play to the left side and centre Tom Hughes, still with plenty to do, broke free to slide in at the corner to make it 10-13.

The last few minutes, were played with Cobra desperately holding on, which they did, much to their credit, to claim four league points.