PWLLHELI took the spoils in the first of three games they must play against Bala before the end of the season, courtesy of a convincing 27-3 success at Bodegroes.

In contrast to the slow start that Pwllheli had made against Llangefni, the home players looked sharp and alert from the kick-off to the last whistle, despite the grim weather and the heavy conditions.

Indeed, the home team made a flying start as man of the match Osian Parry Jones outpaced the Bala defenders from midfield to open the scoring with a try, with less than two minutes on the clock.

Ten minutes later, John Pugh, playing on the opposite wing, scythed his way through the Bala defenders to touch down and give Parry Jones a simple conversion, to give the home side a 12-0 advantage.

The visitors, however, re-grouped and they tested the Llyn side’s cover defence for a while, eventually gaining a penalty, which Owain Aled duly converted.

In the second quarter he failed with a similar but more difficult attempt to leave a 12-3 score with half-time approaching.

Early in the second half, Parry Jones extended that lead when he forced his way through the defenders to touch down near the posts, and he added the extras.

Ten minutes later he squeezed his way over the whitewash in the corner for an hat-trick, after excellent handling and exchanges between himself and his team.

For the next 10 minutes, with some fresh legs coming on up front for both sides, the home team were in control of play, but the battling Bala defenders held out, giving away occasional penalties, which were accurately line kicked by the Pwllheli backs.

The visitors ensured there were no opportunities to score, despite the pressure.

With tired legs on the heavy ground, captain Nick Butterworth called upon Parry Jones to go for the posts and he succeeded in increasing the lead to 27-3.

It had not been an easy match for either team, considering the conditions, but the pitch held up well and the home team’s bonus point for four tries closed the gap at the top of the table on Nant Conwy - and increased the gap on Bala, who are third.

With no league fixtures scheduled for this weekend, due to the Six Nations international between Wales and Italy, Pwllheli return to action on 26 March at Abergele, whilst Bala will be looking to bounce back at home against Llandudno.

• Pwllheli Seconds meanwhile played Bala Seconds on the adjacent pitch and managed to score five tries for a creditable 33-0 win in the Seconds’ Premier League.