PWLLHELI’s hard-earned 14-8 triumph accurately reflected how close their Division One encounter against Llandudno actually was at Bodegroes last weekend.

A bulky and talented Llandudno team had arrived early, and their intent was reflected in their pre-match preparations.

The visitors started the match much better, and they dominated both possession and territory for the first 20 minutes.

Pwllheli’s backs rarely saw the ball in attacking mode, and their role was almost exclusively defensive as the heavyweight Tudno pack used the driving maul effectively, and initially bossed the set-pieces.

Gradually Pwllheli’s efforts got them back into contention, however, and they began to edge the scrum, whilst their line-out began to function more efficiently.

Pwllheli were awarded a penalty on 23 minutes when the visitors were penalised for a high tackle, and Osian Parry Jones’ superb 55 metre penalty kick saw the ball soar over to give them a three point lead.

Pwllheli began to look threatening, and the visitors’ number six was yellow-carded on 33 minutes for another high tackle.

The Llyn side capitalised two minutes later as wing Parry Jones finished off a long range counter by Pwllheli. His conversion attempt drifted narrowly wide, but half-time came with Pwllheli 8-0 up.

In the second period, the home side attacked from the kick-off, but they lost the ball in a tackle near the half way line.

The loose ball was pounced on by Llandudno’s excellent full back Ryan Pike and he sped past a disjointed Pwllheli defence to score from fully 40 metres out. Pike, however, failed to convert his own try.

The Llyn side responded quickly and were awarded a penalty when Llandudno were caught offside, and Parry Jones duly slotted the kick between the posts.

Llandudno were still very much in the game, and big hits from both teams were the norm as the defences of both teams remained both structured and disciplined.

The visitors came the closer to scoring a try, but against the run of play Pwllheli’s Parry Jones added another penalty to give his team a crucial two score differential.

Llandudno still believed and they cut the deficit with a penalty from Pike, but the match closed with no further score.

Pwllheli will admit that they were not at their best, but there were some encouraging signs, in particular the performance by fly half Bleddyn Davies, who replaced unavailable Nick Butterworth at fly half.

• Pwllheli Seconds meanwhile beat visitors Dinbych Seconds in the first round of the Swalec Bowl 24-01. The victory, however, was marred by a nasty head injury to Pwllheli forward William Rickards.

Pwllheli’s first XV are away to Colwyn Bay in the league on Saturday, whilst the Seconds are home to Machynlleth, and the Youths are home to Holyhead (2.30pm).