LAST season’s cup finalists Dolgellau are through to the semi-finals of the North Wales Cup for the third season in succession, following a comprehensive 20-7 victory over stubborn Bethesda.

Dolgellau dominated the first period and did not allow the visitors to settle, and had all possession coming their way.

They could not break down some fierce defending from the visitors, however, and there was 15 minutes on the clock when Dolgellau full-back, Dion Jones, hit the target with a penalty to go 3-0 ahead.

Bethesda with the outstanding flanker, Rhys Williams winning a fair share of possession from the line outs, were doggedly attempting to get a foot hold into the game and No 8 Arwyn Griffiths was hauled down by skipper, Gerwyn Thomas, on his way down the right touchline.

Dolgellau responded with the first try of the match with five minutes of the half remaining. Centre, Dan Brazier made ground out of his own 22, scrum half Jac Roberts and Thomas released full back Dion Jones to break free deep into Bethesda half and he found wing Gerwyn Pugh to round the cover defence for a great score. Jones added the conversion to put Dolgellau 10-0 ahead at the interval.

Within six minutes of the re-start Dolgellau went further ahead. Again scrum half Jac Roberts and centre Dan Brazier were involved, with the outstanding No 8 Dewi Thomas finally breaking through the Bethesda ranks to score near the posts.

Full back Dion Jones made no mistake with the conversion to put Dolgellau in complete command with a 17-0 lead, and four minutes later Jones added his second penalty of the game to stretch their lead to 20-0, and seemingly out of sight.

As Dolgellau brought on all their substitutes, Bethesda, to their credit, began to dominated territorially in the last quarter. Dolgellau were in no mood to let them score, but they lost their man of the match Marios Jones to a yellow card with just nine minutes remaining - and Bethesda managed to make their pressure count.

Full back Llion Lloyd hoisted an inch perfect chip into Dolgellau’s left corner, and despite what looked suspiciously like a knock on, centre Gareth Edwards was on hand to score the try. He also added the conversion to make it 20-7.

Dolgellau’s reward for this richly-deserved victory is a plumb semi final tie at Cup holders, Nant Conwy, knowing that if they can continue in this vein of form they will be a real threat to the holders, just as they had been in last May’s final.