DOLGELLAU 14 CAERNARFON 0

Two first half tries from Dolgellau forwards Celt Lewis and Eon Williams eased them to an unassailable 14-0 half-time lead against Caernarfon, with the benefit of a strong wind and lashing rain.

Their forwards then went on to dominate during the scoreless second half to record four precious league points.

In atrocious conditions, Dolgellau elected to use the elements in their favour, and went ahead after 12 minutes.

No 8 Iwan Pugh secured clean possession from a five metre line-out and the forward drive saw hooker Celt Lewis score out on the left. Centre Gwion Jones converted from a difficult angle, despite poor kicking conditions, to make it 7-0.

There was a cohesiveness about the home forwards, and they scored again on 28 minutes when, from a line-out this time, prop Eon Williams crashed over. Again, a magnificent conversion from Gwion Jones went over the bar via the left side post, to put Dolgellau 14-0 ahead.

Caernarfon tried in vain to counter on several neat excursions into Dolgellau’s territory, without creating any real threat, but Dolgellau full-back James Owen thwarted a certain Caernarfon score with five first half minutes remaining.

Dolgellau’s set-piece and overall domination in the forwards saw them defend their slender 14 point lead magnificently during the second half. They had to endure a hard-fought 10 minutes without flanker Peter Blake, however, who was sin-binned for persistent high tackling.

Dolgellau winger Rob Pugh thwarted Caernarfon’s only real chance of the second half, and as the home eight grew in confidence as the match wore on, they dominated territory against the elements.

Centre Gareth Hughes knocked on, five metres out, and the match ended with the home side very much on top to secure a very welcome and deserved home win.

Man Of The Match was stand-in skipper Jac Roberts, who switched from his usual No 10 role early on to replace injured scrum half Elis Smith - and in testing conditions, he lead the side to victory.

Dolgellau look to build on the win when they travel to face Pwllheli this weekend.

BRO FFESTINIOG 7 DINBYCH 5

WITH Bro Ffestiniog’s squad nearly back to full strength after injuries and other commitments, it was only the weather that dampened their rejuvenated spirits as they notched a low-scoring 7-5 win over Dinbych in Division One North.

The match went ahead despite the impending storm, and it was clear that Bro were much the better side in the first half. No 8 Dewi James lead the attack as he scythed through the defence, and the forwards and backs combined well through seven phases, only for a knock on just metres from the try line to deny them.

When Dinbych were penalised for collapsing a scrum, Bro kicked for touch, and from the five metre line-out the ball was passed out, and back inside to centre Mathew Hayden. He side-stepped the defence and dived over for the opening try, converted by flanker Gethin Jones.

The visitors hardly worked their way into Bro’s half, such was the hosts’ dominance, and a charge down by Ioan Evans on half way, and some footballing skills by the young left wing, took Bro deep into Dinbych’s 22 - and but for a forward pass Bro should have scored a second try.

As the weather worsened, the players were glad to hear the half-time whistle, and they went in for much-deserved relief from the rain with the score at 7-0.

From the re-start the visitors played with the slope, but against the strong wind, they kept the ball tight and were soon awarded a penalty. With the wind gusting towards him, fly half Garin Roberts’ kick from 35 metres fell just short.

The weather played a significant role in this match, with many handling errors, and with the conditions at times simply atrocious, it was a credit to both sides and the referee that the match flowed.

A Dinbych attack down the left wing took them close, but Bro won turnover and cleared. Another Dewi James attack then took Bro close, but this time it was Dinbych who won turnover and cleared.

With only minutes left, Dinbych were awarded a scrum on 25 metres, and an 8-9-14 move was finished off with a dive through what seemed like a river of water by Kieron Boner. Roberts’ conversion to tie the match once more against the strong wind fell short, however, and Bro held out to claim a much needed win.

Bro remain at the bottom of Division One North, but after grinding out a much-needed win, and back to almost full strength, there are hopefully many points to be gained in the coming weeks.

Bro travel to Caernarfon on Saturday, while Dinbych entertain Nant Conwy.

RUTHIN 7 PWLHELI 0

PWLLHELI slipped to their fifth league defeat of the season as they were narrowly beaten 7-0 at Ruthin in difficult playing conditions in Division One North.

A strong wind and two evenly matched sides, both with strong defences, meant that a high scoring match was always unlikely, and when the final whistle blew, just a converted try separated the teams. Pwllheli had the chance for an early score, with a penalty goal attempt from the half way line, but it missed its mark.

Both sides were playing open rugby, with some quick ball and good running, but defences remained in the ascendancy and for the first half hour the game oscillated between the two 22s, with no score.

Then wing Josh Wilson started a great piece of play in his own half, offloading to fly half Phyl Roberts, who in turn released No 8 Arwyn Davies for a fine try converted by full back Dyfan Humphreys.

The Blues kept up the pressure, but the visitors’ defence held, and then it was Pwllheli’s turn to challenge in the home 22 - but the whistle blew for half-time with no further score and Ruthin 7-0 up.

The Blues started strongly in the second half, but again they couldn’t get past Pwllheli. At times the game was confined to a midfield defensive battle, released only by kicks upfield as the teams attempted to deal with tricky playing conditions.

On balance, Ruthin had a bit more of the possession and territory in the second half, but it was all to no avail and the final whistle blew with the score still at 7-0.

After the match, prolific Ruthin winger Josh Wilson was awarded his 100th first team game tie, having played 106 games for the team - and scoring 109 tries.BETHESDA 10 BALA 29 BALA maintained their winning ways as they followed up their epic comeback win over Nant Conwy, to beat high-flying Bethesda 29-10 away from home.

The men from Maes Gwyniad, who had also notched a 22-5 midweek triumph over Bethesda in the Rybrook Land Rover North Wales Cup, crossed for a bumper five tries on Saturday. Ilan Rowlands, Iwan Hanmer, Owain Aled, Dave Yates and Dochan Roberts all crossed the line to score, and Luis Prieto also added two conversions to seal another fine win.