DOLGELLAU are through to the second round of the national Swalec Bowl, after four excellent tries by their young and talented three-quarters unlocked a stubborn Llanidloes to win a pulsating contest 35-16 on the school pitch.

Dolgellau went ahead after 13 minutes when centre Henri Roberts’ break found his brother Jac Roberts in good support to put in fiery winger Jake Hinge over in the left corner for a great try. Henry Roberts added the conversion to make it 7-0.

Five minutes later Llanidloes stand-off Jordan Davies put the visitors on the scoreboard with a penalty goal, but Henri Roberts responded by putting Dolgellau 10-3 ahead going into the second quarter.

Llanidloes enjoyed a long period of pressure, but they could not find a way through a resolute defence, despite their attempt to out muscle the home forwards.

They crept to within a point of Dolgellau, however, with two Jordan Davies penalties, but then Dolgellau’s Henri Roberts slotted over his second penalty deep in injury time to give his side a slender 13-9 lead at the half-time interval.

Eight minutes into the second period, Llanidloes tried to run from deep, but Dolgellau skipper Rhys Roberts interrupted the threat in midfield, and his fly hack ahead was pounced upon by stand-off Dafydd Roberts, and his chip and chase ahead was perfect for him to touchdown wide on the right. Henri Roberts’ successful conversion made it 20-9.

Llanidloes were far from finished, and No 8 and skipper Paul Jehu came close to crossing the whitewash, and following another attack on the home line, this time the ball was spun wide for winger James Davies to score wide out on the left. Jordan Davies added the extra points to leave the tie very evenly poised at 23-16 with a quarter of an hour remaining.

It was Dolgellau’s poise and fitness that shone during the closing 10 minutes.

With seven minutes to go, Dolgellau scrum half, Lewis Jones gathered a loose Llani clearance, and set full-back Rob Pugh away and replacement wing Gareth Hughes’ speed finished the move in style. Again Henri Roberts’ conversion split the uprights from a difficult angle to give the hosts some breathing space at 30-16.

Llanidloes could not respond this time, and deep into injury time, Dolgellau replacement hooker Cellan Evans charged upfield and saw Lewis Jones and Dafydd Roberts combine to put in wing Gareth Hughes for his second try of the match, and it finished 35-16 to Dolgellau.

• Dolgellau Seconds continued their good early season form by beating Bethesda Seconds 28-17. Hooker Peter Blake, centre Eben Jones, second row Carwyn Hughes, and a penalty try secured their win, with scrum half Owain Thomas and Eben Jones adding the conversions.