PWLLHELI made a winning return to action in Division One North as they got their title challenge back on track with an emphatic 62-0 win over Bro Ffestiniog.

Given that both sides had not played much competitive rugby of late because of the weather and the Six Nations fixtures, this was a match of some quality.

Both teams were committed and showed stamina and skill. Mention too must be made of the referee Elliott Mayer, who showed considerable empathy for the game, and tried to allow the game to flow.

Conditions for the match - which doubled up as a Conway Land Rover North Wales Cup quarter-final tie - were mixed.

The rain had cleared and the wind played little part in the game, but the pitch itself was saturated after the incessant rain of recent weeks, and the high water table at Bodegroes, and play was increasingly difficult as the surface cut up.

Pwllheli showed their attacking intent early in the game, as they utilised their exciting back line whenever they could.

After only two minutes, the hosts created space for full back John Pugh, whose pace did the rest as he touched down for the opening unconverted try wide out.

Bro stood firm and both their forwards and backs brought physicality into the encounter, but Pwllheli’s well-organised defence held firm and kept their width.

On 10 minutes a searing move put centre Ianto Parri in the gap and his pace and power did the rest, with Pugh adding the two points with a wide-angled kick.

Bro Ffestiniog did well in the set-pieces, but in broken play it was the home side who were able to recycle the ball quickly.

In the 13th minute it was a quick release of ruck ball which allowed the three quarters to give John Pugh the room to outpace the cover to score his second try.

Then, on 21 minutes, Pwllheli forward Carrog Roberts went off with a blood injury, and was replaced by Harri Roberts.

The visitors upped their tempo, and they used their pack quite effectively to punch holes, before releasing their backs.

Pwllheli, however, kept their shape well, and they did well to keep them out.

It was not until the 28th minute that the home team scored their fourth and potentially critical bonus point try through Gwilym Sion, with Pugh converting.

Pwllheli kept their foot on the throttle and camped themselves in the Bro 22.

A series of scrums ensued and Pwllheli were able to generate a nudge, and several scrums collapsed under pressure, before finally referee Elliott Mayer’s patience ended, and he awarded a penalty try to make the score 31-0 at the interval.

The second period saw the Llyn side start at a blistering pace and again their pack laid a solid foundation to allow their talented backs to display their skills.

It was Pugh who scored first when completing his hat-trick of tries, and he successfully converted his own touch down

Three minutes later, fly half Mathew Parry scored his first try for the club - although the conversion attempt missed.

Then, just three minutes later, centre John Pugh scored his side’s eight try.

Pwllheli then brought on three substitutes, including Osian Parry Jones, who had been off with flu, as well Harri Roberts went to the back row as did experienced ex captain Dafydd Anwyl.

Pwllheli then immediately lost a prop with a yellow card, but there were still two more tries to come, which were scored by left wing Robin Hughes Jones.

One was a typical long range score, which particularly enthused the large crowd, and Osian Parry Jones took over the goal kicking duties, to convert both tries and complete Pwllheli’s scoring.

The Conway Landrover Man of the Match was deservedly awarded to Pwllheli’s impressive full back John Pugh.

The match had been preceded by a junior fixture between Pwllheli’s Under 8s and Nant Conwy’s Under 8s, and the enjoyable contest was enjoyed by all.

Pwllheli’s first team next play on Saturday, 3 March, with a tough away match against second-placed rivals Bala.

Pwllheli’s Seconds lost 17-3 to a determined Nant Conwy side last weekend, and Pwllheli Youths had an encouraging win in the North Wales Youth Cup against Caernarfon winning by 17-8.