DOGELLAU got the new season off to the perfect start with a hard-fought 26-3 home win against their fellow relegation rivals from last season, Colwyn Bay.

Dolgellau struggled for the first quarter of the match and could not hold on to the limited possession they had against a well drilled visiting pack, who put Dolgellau under pressure in the set pieces, and generally spoiled matters around the fringes very efficiently.

The breakthrough, however, came after 25 minutes. Scrum half, Lewis Jones slipped a perfectly timed pass for prop Eon Williams to burst through and find full-back, Rob Pugh to score in the right corner. Wing James Owen converted from the touchline to put Dolgellau 7-0 ahead. It was the only score of a pretty even first half.

Colwyn Bay prop, Krystan Yeoman’s spectacular sprint up the right touchline, deserved a score, but support was slow in arriving and the chance went begging.

Dolgellau capitalised on this let-off and after 10 minutes, stand-off, Dafydd Roberts’ deft chip was re-gathered and punted ahead from half way. The ball was gathered by flying centre, Eben Jones who sprinted home under the posts for a great score, and Owen converted to put Dolgellau 14-0 ahead.

Bay stand-off, Ben Brummitt brought the visitors back into contention with a penalty, but Dolgellau were by now finding gaps in the visiting defence and they finished strongly.

Prop Eon Williams found full-back Rob Pugh and he in turn found wing James Owen to go over in the left corner and make the score 19-3.

With injury time approaching, wing Rhys Lewis’ gallop up-field found replacement Dafydd Ellis at pace, resulting in youngster Arron Jones going over for the try with his first touch of the ball on his senior debut. Owen again converted to make the score 26-3.

Meanwhile Dolgellau Seconds also got their league campaign off to a winning start when beating Welshpool Seconds by 59-19. Youngster Jake Hinge crossed for four tries, and there was one apiece from Steffan Jones, Gerallt Hughes and Peter Blake, with Hinge adding the extras.