PWLLHELI completed a superb double as the Division One North champions beat Bala 32-10 to win the Conway Land Rover North Wales Senior Cup Final in front of a good crowd at Eirias Park last weekend.

It capped a remarkable season for Pwllheli, who have been in the final four times since their last success against Llangefni back in 1994 - but having lost each time.

Pwllheli had won both previous encounters with Bala this season, but the matches had invariably been tight and hard fought.

With a strong breeze at their backs in the first half, they kicked effectively, and took just six minutes to open their account.

Taking clean line-out possession, they set up a good driving maul and maintained the drive for flanker Dafydd Anwyl to cross for the try, with Osian Parry Jones kicking the wide angled conversion.

Bala responded with gusto and used forwards and backs to pummel Pwllheli, but the Llyn side’s defensive structure held.

Pwllheli were shown a second row yellow card for a high tackle, and Bala tried to take advantage, but a loose kick ahead was scooped up by centre John Pugh.

He made ground and released left wing Robin Hughes Jones, whose pace took him past the Bala cover to dart 50 metres for an unconverted try in the corner.

Both sides gave their all, buoyed by vociferous supporters, but at the end of the half Bala had a nightmare six minutes.

A well-struck Osian Parry Jones penalty made it 15-0, and from the restart a dropped pass near the half way line was picked up by centre Pugh, whose pace took him beyond the cover to score under the posts, with the conversion a formality.

In the last act of the first period Jones also slotted a penalty to make it 25-0.

Pwllheli looked comfortable with the ball in hand in the second half, and they thought they had scored a fourth try, but the pass was ruled to have been forward.

Three forward replacements came on in the opening 10 minutes, and scrums and line-outs went with the put-in, although rucks and mauls were fiercely contested.

Bala varied their tactics, but defences were on top for most of the third quarter.

When Pwllheli drove into the Bala twenty two, they were awarded an attacking scrum, and it seemed as if scrum half and captain Nick Butterworth had crossed after a blind side snipe - but a penalty try was awarded for a Bala transgression.

Now 32-0 ahead, it was surely over as a contest, but Bala then threw everything at the champions, and their endeavour was duly rewarded by two well deserved tries.

Sub Endaf Jones touched down after a concerted attack by Bala’s pack, and three minutes before the end the full back scored their second try, both unconverted.

Pwllheli chairman Will Martin said their success was based on strong foundations.

“The players worked hard as a squad and backed each other through thick and thin,” he said. “They were well led by Nick Butterworth and the senior players.

“The coaches, Ian Jones, David Martin and Jiffy Griffiths have also worked well together, and they have produced a brand of rugby which suits the current squad.

“The back-up of managers, first aiders, physio and officials also played their part.

“The supporters have also fully backed the Club through the good times and bad and their influence too on the Club’s development cannot be overestimated.

“Finally, of course, the Club’s sponsors and its Vice Presidents have all allowed the Club to continue to improve its infrastructure for the teams of the future.”

• After beating Menai Bridge 34-26 in the semi-finals of the Gwynedd Cup, Pwllheli Seconds face Nant Conwy Seconds in the final on Saturday at Caernarfon (2.30pm).