PWLLHELI looked determined to take the Division One North title race to the wire as they continued to breathe heavily down the necks of leaders Nant Conwy with an emphatic 60-18 win over Mold.

Given that the pitch was waterlogged on Thursday evening, conditions for this fixture were remarkably good at Bodegroes last weekend.

The crowd for the match was enhanced by the visit of former Wales international captain Ryan Jones, who was visiting for discussions with the Rugby Committee.

The visitors started well, and their game was based on their heavyweight pack and effective use of the ball by their half backs.

They dominated territory in the early minutes and astute kicking by fly half Jack Martin kept the Llyn side pinned back.

When Pwllheli pounced onto a loose pass, however, the backs outstripped the cover to put centre John Pugh in the clear.

He side-stepped the wing and full back to reach the try line unscathed, before Osian Parry Jones slotted the conversion.

Mold were awarded a penalty when Pwllheli were caught offside, but Jack Martin’s attempt at goal drifted wide, and Pwllheli once again countered from deep.

Eight phases later, Pugh was once again put in the clear to complete his brace. Parry Jones’ kick put his side 14-0 ahead.

Any thoughts of a try fest were dispelled by Mold as they held on to the ball well.

Pwllheli were penalised for collapsing a maul and Jack Martin’s penalty kick for touch put his side deep into the red zone.

Mold won clean ball at the line-out and transferred the ball to the blind side, where hooker Ryan Kirby crashed over to score wide out. The excellent conversion by Martin gave Mold the extra two points.

It was now Pwllheli’s turn to retain possession, and gradually territory as well.

They pressured the visitors into mistakes, and when Mold were penalised for an early tackle Osian Parry Jones comfortably slotted the kick between the posts.

Mold were still doing well in the set-pieces, but were being beaten to loose ball by the pacy Pwllheli loose forwards.

On 25 minutes quickly recycled ruck ball put Pugh into space, and his sheer pace and outrageous dummies saw him beat four would-be defenders before he crossed the whitewash for a fine score.

The conversion attempt hit the post.

Mold’s Jack Martin cut the deficit with a penalty, but Pwllheli were not to be denied and on 39 minutes centre Gareth Lloyd Williams’ line of running saw him slice through to score under the posts.

This secured Pwllheli their try bonus point, and Parry Jones’ conversion was successful for a 29-10 lead at the interval.

Mold did well in the opening minutes of the second half as accurate line kicking turned Pwllheli, and when the hosts yielded a penalty, Jack Martin converted.

Pwllheli remained well structured, however, and pressed deep into the Mold half.

For once, it was a very effective driving maul from the home side which paid dividends as they made over 20 metres before prop Alwyn Trenholme scored, and Osian Parry Jones’ kick added two points.

Pwllheli began using their strong bench and on 21 minutes flanker Tom Parry added to his impressive try haul this season, with the conversion attempt missed.

Mold persevered and were rewarded with another line-out try by sub Kenny Williams - but Pwllheli’s response was to add a further three tries to their tally.

Osian Parry Jones, captain Nick Butterworth and Tom Parry all scored, and Parry Jones added two conversions.

This was a tough contest and exactly what Pwllheli needed as they prepare for a hard away tussle against Llandudno.

• Pwllheli Seconds lost 28-23 at Caernarfon and Pwllheli Youths also lost narrowly, going down 10-6 against Ruthin.