PWLLHELI, with no fewer than nine changes from the last game of last season, got their new campaign off to a winning start as they overcame Denbigh 29-5 at Parc Bodegroes.

Despite being against the wind, Pwllheli dominated the first quarter in terms of possession and territory. The home eight more than matched their bulkier opponents in the loose, with only the set scrums being somewhat difficult, whilst both teams achieved parity in the lineout.

Pwllheli’s forwards and backs linked well, and it was only committed defence and missed opportunities that kept the first half scoring to a minimum.

Pwllheli went ahead with an Osian Parry Jones penalty, and a series of penalties were awarded against the visitors, but it was decided not to kick for goal. Though the game was very competitive throughout both played to the spirit of the game.

Pwllheli created more chances, and were perhaps unlucky not to have a penalty try as a seemingly deliberate knock out thwarted a try scoring opportunity.

The second period saw the hosts take the initiative from the start, and after only four minutes talisman and second row Geraint Parry crossed the line after a period of concerted pressure, and Parry Jones slotted the wide-angled conversion.

Pwllheli made good use of the wind and kept Denbigh pinned back. The visitors, however, were well co-ordinated and committed, and went through numerous phases but could not pierce the cover.

It was an archetypal Pwllheli try which saw broke the impasse after 21 minutes.

Winning quick ruck ball deep in their own half, scrum half Daniel Griffiths moved the ball left. It reached centre Deio Brunelli, who had support both to his left and right, and he used this to get Denbigh to commit, and scythed through for a well taken long distance try. Osian Parry Jones added the additional two points.

Pwllheli ensured that all their substitutes had game time and this gave them added impetus. Once again they began to exert pressure and it was Brunelli again who touched down for Pwllheli’s third try. The conversion attempt drifted wide.

Pwllheli secured a key fourth try when forward William Owen took his opportunity well to score from close range, and Parry Jones then added the conversion.

Denbigh persevered until the end, and finally wing Kieran Bonar took his chance to score a consolation try wide out.

• Pwllheli Seconds beat Denbigh Seconds by 30-0, running in six tries with Dafydd Rhun Jones notching three and Eifion Pari, Owain Thomas and debutante Michael Jones scoring one each

Pwllheli Youths won 51-0 at Llandudno on Friday, with their nine tries including three by Tomos Jones, two by Bedwyr Jones and a try each by Now Williams, Jack Scott, Rhys Jones and Elgan Strain.

Pwllheli’s first team are away at Caernarfon on Saturday. The seconds are at Llangefni and the Youths host Llangefni.

Bala 43 Dolgellau 0

DOLGELLAU’s return to the top-flight was a painful one as Bala emerged victorious on a sunny and warm late summer afternoon, having dominated this derby match from start to finish, and scoring seven unanswered tries.

They held the upper hand in the set-pieces from the off, and the pattern was set as early as the sixth minute as the Bala forwards stole a Dolgellau lineout five metres out, and the drive saw No 10 Owain Aled squeeze over for the opening score of the day, which he duly converted.

Bala were bolstered by the return of outstanding No 8 Ilan Rowlands from the RGC squad, and he drove over for Bala’s second try after quarter of an hour. Aled converted to put the hosts 14-0 up.

Two tries followed in quick succession each side of the first quarter, the first by hooker Endaf Jones, and the second a long and winding run from left wing Elgan Evans, the latter score being converted by Aled to make it 26-0. And that is how the opening half ended, as Dolgellau tried in vain to get any foothold in the match.

Full back Miall Roberts scored Bala’s fifth try after nine second half minutes, and again the visitors grappled gamely for everything without ever looking likely to threaten the Bala line.

The hosts scored two late tries, with flanker Iestyn Dylan crossing with six minutes left, with Owain Aled converting, and Aled himself completed the scoring with his second try of the game with less than a minute left.

Dolgellau were looking to bounce back at COBRA in midweek, and Bala entertain Bro Ffestiniog on Saturday.

• Champions Llandudno got their new campaign off to a great start at Maesdu Road when overcoming Bro Ffestiniog with a 13-try hammering, beating the visitors 85-0.

Whilst Bro matched their hosts during the first 20 minutes, going close numerous times, they just couldn’t take their chances and the Goats went into a 14 point lead through tries by Morgan Owen and Ryan Pike - with Pike adding two conversions.

Llandudno’s attacks were relentless, with forwards and backs combining well, and a further three tries were scored before the break by Lloyd Evans, Morgan Owen and Byron Davies. Pike converting two of the three tries.

Tudno continued the attacks at the same relentless pace throughout the second half, and such was their domination that Bro could not contain them as the hosts’ fitness, strength and support play was the difference.

Tries came at regular intervals during the second period as Rhys Henderson bagged himself a brace, as did Pat Coy. Dan O’Sullivan and Rob Jones scored one try each, and Pike went over for another two for his hat trick, and converted all but one.

Bro Ffestiniog have just as tough a test next as they visit neighbours Bala while Llandudno host Nant Conwy.

Results: Bala 43 Dolgellau 0; Llandudno 85 Bro Ffestiniog 0; Llangefni 28 Caernarfon 12; Nant Conwy 24 Bethesda 32; Pwllheli 29 Dinbych 5; Ruthin 26 COBRA 8.