PWLLHELI’s supporters were clearly relieved to finally have a league match to watch at Bodegroes, and the team did not disappoint as they ran in five tries to register a convincing 29-5 win against Ruthin.

The conditions were far from ideal, with a very heavy ground and a strong wind gusting down the pitch, but nonetheless there was good support from both sides.

The visitors had the advantage of the elements in the first half, but their kicking game proved to be largely ineffective.

Pwllheli’s defence has improved immeasurably since their defeat at Ruthin in October, and the attacks were contained.

After only eight minutes, Pwllheli won quick ruck ball on the half way line, and scrum half Robin Hughes-Jones spotted a gap in the flat Ruthin cover to race over 50m to touch down for the opening try.

Osian Parry Jones also added the difficult conversion, against the strong wind.

Ruthin responded well, but it was Pwllheli who struck next when they countered on the left, and swift interpassing put full back Danial Glyn clear for the score, with conversion attempt then hitting the post.

The contest pitched to and fro, but Pwllheli extended their lead when, from clean line out ball, they set up a driving maul and Dafydd Anwyl, on as a blood susbstitute, went over for his side’s third try.

Ruthin’s fortunes worsened when they went down to 14 men after a player was red carded for dissent, but they acquitted themselves well to keep the score at 17-0.

The second period then saw the visitors increasingly come into the game as Pwllheli failed to take advantage of the wind.

They kept their composure, however, and when they took the ball deep into Ruthin’s 22, the visitors’ defence finally succumbed to a close range snipe from home scrum half Robin Hughes-Jones.

Back came Ruthin, and they were rewarded when scrum half Phyl Roberts combined with replacement Will Mitchelmore, to put second row Deian Lloyd Williams through for a well-worked try.

The match gradually deteriorated as a spectacle as the penalty count mounted, but Pwllheli did get a fifth try, with centre Deio Brunelli making a strong run to score, with Jones adding the conversion.

Pwllheli now face another long lay off until they face Bala away on 20 February.

Three of their postponed league matches have now been rearranged, with Nant Conwy at Pwllheli on 16 April, before two tough away games at Bethesda on 23 April and at Llandudno on 30 April.

It has been difficult to rearrange the Bala fixture due to their Swalec Plate run, and Pwllheli also need to play Bala or Abergele in the North Wales Cup semi-final.

• Pwlheli Youths probably had the result of the day when the beat Nant Youths 6-5, ending Nant’s long winning streak.

Their winning score was a second penalty which was the last kick of the match.

The Man of the Match in Pwllheli Seconds’ 56-26 away win at Caernarfon was fly half Alan Roberts. He converted all his side’s eight tries in an excellent result.