COBRA booked their place back in Division One North following this eagerly awaited top of the table clash, having emerged victorious by 3-17 in front of a huge Bank Holiday crowd of an estimated 450 people, with a sizeable visiting contingent.

A point at home to Rhyl will clinch the Division Two North title for them, whilst Dolgellau will have to win at the Seasiders to clinch promotion in the second spot.

The visitors dominated the opening exchanges, with No 8 Jack Jukes’ probing runs being effective, without putting Dolgellau’s well drilled defensive line under to much duress - and as the home side grew more into the match going into the second quarter, the same could be said of Cobra’s own defensive organisation.

Whenever Dolgellau’s speedy wing Jake Hinge found a little room to manoeuvre down the left touchline, the visiting team’s cover defence had him well shepherded.

Cobra’s three-quarters strayed offside, and Dolgellau full-back Henry Roberts put over the resulting penalty to give the hosts a 3-0 lead. Cobra stand-off Will Worthington had the opportunity of levelling matters 25 minutes in, but his 30 metre attempt rebounded off the right post.

Four minutes of added time had been added, with Dolgellau defending all that Cobra threw at them, but visiting prop Steven Issac pounced on a loose Dolgellau clearance to score a try right at the very end. This time Worthington successfully slotted over the conversion attempt to put Cobra 3-7 ahead at the half-time interval.

Eleven minutes into the second period, Will Worthington, eased Cobra 3-10 ahead with a penalty, as Dolgellau’s three-quarters this time strayed off-side in midfield.

Cobra were punished twice in quick succession going into the last quarter, and received two yellow cards, but the 13 did a magnificent job of keeping the hosts at bay, and with five minutes remaining, put the match beyond Dolgellau, as Worthington spotted a gap in the home cover to time his pass perfectly to put in flanker, Dan Jones under the posts. Worthington converted to end the scoring at 3-17.

This weekend sees COBRA play hosts to Rhyl, and Llanidloes entertain Wrexham.

DINBYCH 46 PWLLHELI 31

DINBYCH’s fine end of season run was extended with a high-scoring seven try bonus point victory over a Pwllheli side who themselves secured a try bonus point as they crossed for five tries of their own.

In a pulsating match Pwllheli constantly threatened through their direct running, with only some desperate defence by Dinbych denying the visitors several scores.

Dinbych managed to turn over possession on their own line on several occasions and punished the visitors with tries following counter-attacks by their backs.

Dinbych got off to a flying start as they opened the scoring after only three minutes when they worked upfield from their own 22, with full back Gruff Roberts going over in the corner for an unconverted try, after beating four defenders following a ruck just inside the Pwllheli half.

They extended their lead eight minutes later after a period of intense pressure by Pwllheli near the Dinbych line when skipper Tom Seddon turned over possession on his own line, giving left wing Kieran Bonar the opportunity to show his pace with a length of the field run to cross for a try, converted by Gruff Roberts.

They went further ahead with a penalty by Gruff Roberts from 30 metres and added a third try when scrum half Henry Davies counter-attacked after fielding a kick on half way, resulting in wing Aidyn Jones beating several defenders to score an unconverted try out in the corner.

Trailing by 20 points to nil Pwllheli eventually opened their scoring in the 33rd minute when centre Huw Williams brushed aside several tackles for a try, also converted by wing Dafydd Jones.

Dinbych restored the difference with an outstanding try by Gruff Roberts, who robbed Pwllheli of possession before beating several defenders to run in for a try, which he successfully converted himself.

Trailing by 27 points to 7 at the interval Pwllheli reduced the deficit three minutes into the second half when scrum half Gwilym Sion Parry went over for a try near the corner after the forwards had gone close with a series of drives from a short range line- out. Dafydd Jones added the extras.

Dinbych immediately responded when No 8 Robin Williams broke from a scrum on the Pwllheli 22, with Henry Davies and Gruff Roberts in support who created the opening for Aidyn Jones to go over in the corner for a second try. Gruff Roberts converted with a kick from the touchline.

Pwllheli again benefitted from the direct running when centre Deio Brunelli cut the Dinbych defence for an unconverted try.

Henry Davies restored Dinbych’s lead as he sniped over the Pwllheli line from five metres after a quickly taken tap penalty for a try, converted by Gruff Roberts .

Pwllheli again fought back and they replied an unconverted try from a quickly taken short range tap penalty mid way through the half, only for Dinbych to pull away again when hooker Dafydd Jones went over in the corner, following an initial break by flanker Dan Lawrence.

Pwllheli eventually closed the scoring when bulky centre Huw Williams breached the Dinbych defence from short range for a try converted by Dafydd Jones.

Last week’s results: Division One North: Dinbych 46 Pwllheli 26; Mold 24 Bethesda 26. Division Two North: Dolgellau 3 COBRA 15; Nant Conwy Seconds 19 Rhyl 17.