LLANIDLOES saw their four-match winning run in Division Two North halted with a 29-5 defeat at home to third-placed Dolgellau.

It was always going to be a hard-fought affair against a side chasing promotion and, again being short on numbers, the hosts found themselves up against it.

Both Dolgellau and second-placed Wrexham closed the gap on Cobra at the top of the table and the race for the Championship and promotion is very much on for all three sides.

Dolgellau did all they could here in gaining a bonus point victory against an uncompromising and committed Llanidloes outfit.

The visitors got off to the perfect start. With barely a minute played, the visitors ran from deep and centre, Gareth Hughes’ perfectly timed pass saw full back Ellis Smith slice through the heart of the home defence and sprint clear straight down the middle of the park to score under the posts. Wing Jake Hinge converted for a 0-7 lead.

Llani’s discipline around the rucks, mauls and set pieces, cost them dear, and Dolgellau had them pinned in their own 22 for most of the half. There were only two minutes of the opening half remaining, however, when Dolgellau scrum half Lewis Jones darted down the blind side from a five metre scrum, and forced his way over for the score.

Nine minutes into the second period, another penalty was taken quickly and the visiting threequarters stretched the opposition, leaving wing Jake Hinge to score wide out on the left corner flag. At 0-17 Dolgellau were looking strong.

Llani scrum half Paul Jehu, however, then caught them napping with a quickly taken penalty along the right touchline to score a fine individual try, and narrow the gap to 5-17 after 15 minutes of the second half.

It was Dolgellau who finished strongly, as the home discipline imploded.

Replacement stand-off Dafydd Roberts, using the advantage law to the full, and with the assistance of Gareth Hughes, put in flanker Dewi Thomas for the try. Hinge added the conversion to make it 5-24.

Llani were reduced to 14 with five minutes remaining, and Dolgellau took full advantage with prop Greg Smithies and Gareth Hughes, again, putting in replacement Henri Roberts in at the right corner for their fifth and final try.

Llani continue their tough finish to the season away to another of the promotion contenders, Wrexham, on Saturday, whilst Dolgellau host Rhyl at the Marian.

• MACHYNLLETH stayed in contention for the Division Three North title honours after a very hard-fought 33-27 success away at Menai Bridge in their last away game of the season.

The result kept second-placed Mach four points adrift of Shotton Steel with two games remaining, the first of which is at home to Mold Seconds on Saturday.

Leaders Shotton meanwhile stayed on course for a title with victory over one of their chief rivals Pwllheli Seconds last weekend.

Despite having just 15 players, Mach showed their resolve to return from Anglesey with the spoils, helped by an impressive display from the backs.

Kameron Simmons-Sandy crossed for one score, and also kicked a penalty, while centre Tomos Ifan touched down twice, along with wing Gerwyn Coleman and full-back Ryan Blockey. The other points came from a Steffan Price penalty.

Elsewhere, Flint stayed in the hunt with a convincing 50-0 home win over Dinbych Seconds, and Pwllheli Seconds, who have two games in hand, are also still in the hunt, despite their 31-7 defeat to the leaders.