DOLGELLAU lifted themselves off the foot of the Division One North table after they had withstood a late onslaught along their own goal line, to cling on for four precious league points in an 8-5 victory over Mold at the Marian.

A crucial penalty from full-back Dion Jones early in the second half proved decisive, before Dolgellau held on for a committed and hard earned home win.

The visitors, who were determined not to be dragged into a relegation dog fight themselves, were on top immediately, with a strong breeze at their backs.

After an early Dolgellau infringement, the resulting lineout from five metres out saw Mold’s forwards charge across the try line, with second rower Steve Holmes claiming the touch down.

The visitors worked some neat moves within their well drilled forwards, mainly through Holmes and fellow second row player Dylan Payne, as Dolgellau battled to soak up their pressure.

On 25 minutes they lost talisman hooker, Geraint Evans, with a nasty cut to his forehead, and replacement, Gwion Roberts, barley had time to settle before Dolgellau found themselves level on the half hour mark.

Centre Dylan Evans made in-roads up the middle of the park, and skipper Gerwyn Thomas and full back Dion Jones combined to put wing Rob Pugh through out on the left corner for a great score to level the match.

Mold came back strongly towards the end of the half, with Dolgellau defending heroically, but losing open side flanker Dewi Thomas to a yellow card, before the opening half ended to give the home side some respite.

It was Dolgellau’s turn to reap the benefit of the wind during the second period, and they began using their newly found confidence to put Mold under pressure.

It took only three minutes for full back Jones to slot over the penalty goal that would eventually prove to be the match-winner, and put the home side 8-5 ahead.

The remainder of this fierce affair then turned into an attritional slog, with neither side giving an inch.

Dolgellau had to withstand a late rally by the visitors, and they were holed up on their own line for the last five minutes of the match, with the outstanding second row, Carwyn Hughes, making a try-saving tackle.

They held on grimly to their slender lead, and the whole side can take the credit from this result, to put them in good heart for their quarter final match at home against Bethesda this Saturday, 6 February.