DOLGELLAU produced a magnificent team performance to secure a 30-16 bonus point victory over high-flying rivals Denbigh, to remain firmly at the top of the Division Two North West table, with three games remaining before the play-offs begin.

Denbigh will also most certainly qualify for the play-offs, making this result even more significant in the race to get back into Division One North this summer.

The visitors were always going to be a stern test, but it was Dolgellau who started stronger to go ahead after 10 minutes.

Hooker Geraint Evans led a drive that set up their three-quarters and saw a clean break by centre Dylan Evans to cross the line a well-crafted try. Stand-off Gerwyn Thomas also added the conversion.

With Denbigh’s back line looking ever more threatening, centre Dan O’Sullivan orchestrated a slick move that saw wing Kieran Bonar sprint in down left touchline, to bring the visitors right back in the game at 7-5 going into the second quarter.

Skipper Gerwyn Thomas restored Dolgellau’s lead with two quick-fire penalties to leave this very even and entertaining contest in the balance at 13-5 at half time.

O’Sullivan almost carved an opening for the visitors minutes into the second period, but after 13 minutes , it was Dolgellau who went further ahead with a push-over effort for prop Dan Brazier to make it 18-5.

Denbigh were far from finished and they clawed their way back into contention with two penalties from O’Sullivan, the second a magnificent effort from over 45m to make it 18-11, for a tense last quarter.

The hosts, however, rose magnificently to the challenge, and forwards Greg Smithies and Rhys Roberts set up play deep in Denbigh territory, and skipper Gerwyn Thomas squeezed through narrowest of gaps to touch down, making the score 23-11 with 10 minutes still to play.

Five minutes later, scrum half Jac Roberts broke free from a scrum on half way, and his pace allowed wing Rob Pugh to go over in the corner for the try of the match. Thomas added the extras from the touchline to put Dolgellau 30-11 ahead.

Denbigh, however, finished with a flourish, and hooker Dafydd Jones went over in last minute to complete the scoring at 30-16, but there was no denying that Dolgellau were the worthy winners of this one.