Dolgellau moved up to second place in Division Two North, and are now just a point behind leaders Cobra - although they had to overcome a nervous start to beat mid Wales rivals Newtown 42-23.

Once their three-quarters started to show their mettle, however, there was only going to be one winner - but they were assisted by three yellow cards for the visitors’ poor discipline that saw them down to 14 men for half an hour.

Newtown had started with purpose, with their bulky forwards making inroads, and Dolgellau were under pressure. After just three minutes they went ahead when centre Gareth Williams slotted over a penalty for a high tackle.

It was 0-6 after 14 minutes as Williams added his second penalty after Dolgellau were caught holding on in the ruck.

Newtown were down to 14 already for their first yellow card, and after 20 minutes their second yellow came, and this time Dolgellau took full advantage.

From the penalty line-out, a clean catch by No8 Dewi Thomas saw the home eight power over, with hooker Eon Williams emerging with the score to make it 5-6.

Four minutes later, wing James Owen showed his pace, and stand-off Dafydd Roberts found skipper Rhys Roberts to crash over and give Dolgellau the lead.

On the half hour mark hooker Eon Williams started a swift counter-attack, and scrum half Lewis Jones and full-back Elis Smith combined to put in centre Gareth Hughes for their third try. James Owen then converted to make the score 17-6.

Dolgellau were rampant at this point, and even when the visitors were back to a full compliment, they were powerless to stop prop Greg Smithies and Eon Williams putting in left wing Rob Pugh for the try that gave Dolgellau a bonus point with a minute of the half remaining.

From the re-start, Rob Pugh darted up the left touchline, and his inside pass to flanker Iwan Pugh was perfect, but the flanker still had plenty to do before outpacing the cover and crashing over, to make the scoreline 26-6 at half-time.

With Newtown again down to 14 men at the start of the second half, Dolgellau hooker Eon Williams crossed for his second of the game, making the score 32-6.

Six minutes later a great individual effort saw Newtown stand-off Dylan Leach break from half way to sprint away and he avoided several tackles for the try.

Dolgellau’s Rob and Iwan Pugh combined neatly to put in replacement wing Jake Hinge for Dolgellau’s seventh try, before Newtown prop Ashley Paget barged over to make the score 37-16.

A long clearance from Dolgellau scrum half Lewis Jones saw replacement centre Carwyn Pugh win the chase to cross for their eighth try - but the last word went to the visitors. Camped on the Dolgellau line, a raft of penalties resulted in a penalty try, which comes with automatic conversion to end the scoring at 42-23.

Dolgellau will look to maintain their form at home to Llanidloes this weekend.