DOLGELLAU are through to the second round of the North Wales Intermediate Cup - but it took a great try from left wing Rhys Lewis 15 minutes into the second half to break Harlech’s dogged resistance in what was, up until then, a full-on and at times scrappy local derby encounter.

The opening exchanges were frantic, with both sides trying to run the ball, but with no real pattern of play emerging.

The match needed a calming hand, and Dolgellau’s stand-in skipper and stand-off, Gerwyn Thomas, provided it when putting over a magnificent penalty kick from the halfway line after half an hour, and then slotting over his second penalty three minutes later from 35 metres out.

Harlech, however, dominated the latter stages of the half, and came close to crossing the whitewash through wing Gerallt Thomas and prop Eon Williams, only to be denied by some brave defending by Dolgellau, who lost prop Greg Smithies to a yellow card on the half time whistle.

Three minutes into the second period Harlech captain and No 8, Alex Evans put over a penalty to bring them right back into the game, but it was the visiting team who managed to seize the initiative.

Prop Geraint Evans crossed for what looked to be a certain score, but the referee was unsighted - but they deservedly went further ahead after 15 minutes.

With Dolgellau pressing five meters out, scrum half Jac Roberts released his backs quickly, and a deft side-step by full back Gerwyn Pugh saw wing Rhys Lewis go over at the corner for a fine and crucial try. Thomas also converted magnificently to put the visiting team in a 3-13 lead.

Five minutes later, full-back Pugh’s chip ahead saw centre Dylan Evans reclaim the ball on the home try line, and hooker Gwion Roberts was there in good support to go over for the score to make it 3-18.

With only two minutes remaining, Dolgellau lock Bryn Jones set up flanker Dylan Llewelyn, who wrong-footed the home cover to burst through under the posts.

Thomas also converted to make the score 3-25 and seal an impressive victory.

Dolgellau return to action in Division Two North West at Holyhead on 12 November, whilst Harlech travel to Benllech.