DOLGELLAU handed new head coach Cellan Lewis a winning start to the season, but they had to overcome a stubborn Harlech side as they came from 3-0 down at the interval to clinch a deserved 16-3 victory.

It was the visitors, with the aid of a blustery autumn wind, who started as the brightest side, and full back Aeron Griffith missed a penalty after only three minutes.

Griffith made amends on the half hour mark, however, when he slotted over a penalty kick, after Dolgellau had been put under pressure at a five metre scrum.

Dolgellau then came close to making an immediate reply when flanker Dylan Llewelyn and young replacement Danny Evans, who was making his senior debut in place of the injured Carwyn Hughes, were stopped just inches from the line.

A determined Harlech, however, had the edge at breakdowns, with No 8 Alex Evans and both his flankers in fine form.

They could have edged further ahead in last action of the first half when their forwards drove over, but the referee decided to favour the heroic defence, and it remained 3-0 to the visitors at the interval.

The second half belonged to Dolgellau, with their forwards gaining the upperhand, superbly marshalled by skipper Dewi Thomas, whilst stand-off Jac Roberts pinned the visitors in their own half.

The pressure began to tell and with Harlech being penalised with increasing regularity Dolgellau levelled with centre Dan Brazier slotting a penalty after 10 minutes.

Harlech’s second row Ewart Williams then saw yellow, and Dolgellau took advantage, with Brazier putting Dolgellau ahead for the first time in the match.

The home pressure was unrelenting now and Brazier put over his third penalty to make it 9-3 going into the final quarter.

With five minutes to go, Dolgellau secured their victory with a trademark catch and drive from five meters out, with prop Geraint Evans making it over for the try.

Brazier added the extras from a difficult angle on the left touchline to make it 16-3.

Dolgellau, with youth players Bryn Jones and Danny Evans both making commendable debuts, secured the spoils, but on this evidence the Castle men will likely be pushing hard to feature in the play-offs in this re-arranged league structure.

Results: North Wales Division One: Ruthin 5 Colwyn Bay 10; Mold 22 Llandudno 7; Bala 48 COBRA 7; Abergele 12 Caernarfon 12; Bro Ffestiniog Nant Conwy, postponed; Pwllheli 50 Bethesda 0. North Wales Division Two East: Rhos 0 Wrexham 53; Llanidloes 14 Newtown 5; Llangollen 12 Welshpool 0; Flint 0 v Shotton 45. North Wales Division Two West: Bangor 7 Menai Bridge 8; Denbigh 22 v Rhyl 0; Dolgellau 16 v Harlech 3.