PWLLHELI, having not played since October, could be pleased with their 36-13 bonus point win over Llandundno at Bodegroes, which extended their unbeaten record in Division One North to eight matches.

The Llyn side were missing key players, but they took the ball to the opposition from the outset, and for the first 15 minutes dominated territory and possession.

The Llandudno defence was up to the threat, however, and they gradually loosened the early Pwllheli stranglehold.

Kicking well and taking advantage of the light wind, they cleared their lines and took play into the Pwllheli half, taking the lead on 18 minutes with a finely struck penalty from centre Ryan Pike.

Pwllheli kept their composure, and they gradually reasserted their edge as they worked the ball up to the visitors’ line.Llandudno thwarted the initial thrust, but receiving clean ball from a driving maul scrum half and skipper Nick Butterworth crossed over for a try, with wing Osian Parry Jones adding the two points.

Pwllheli kept probing and number eight Huw Williams bulldozed over to score their second try, and a superb touchline conversion put the home team 14-3 ahead.

As half-time neared Pwllheli fell off one tackle, which was enough to give Llandudno their first try wide out, but the conversion attempt by Pike drifted wide.

In the closing seconds of the first half Pwllheli also attempted a long range penalty, but the kick drifted wide of the posts.

Llandudno, having been boosted by their try, took play to Pwllheli in the second half with a mix of brawn and finesse, but the determined home side held firm.

At the end of the third quarter there were clear signs that Pwllheli were rebuilding, as their scrum now had the edge in the set, and their line-out was also secure.

Gradually the screw turned, and after Llandudno had put in a glut of tackles they yielded a penalty eight metres out.

Pwllheli opted for a scrum and again the visitors were penalised. They remained patient, and again went for a scrum.

With the Tudno eight under pressure, and following a quick pick up by Williams, Butterworth was put in the clear to cross over unscathed. The conversion by Jones hit both posts before dropping over.

It was second row Geraint Parry who earned the hosts their bonus point score.

Another patient Pwllheli attack saw them recycle the ball several times, before the gap opened for Parry to cross the line.

Robin Hughes-Jones, who was playing at centre, then used his pace and power to crash over for another unconverted try.

With five minutes left, Llandudno tried to clear their lines with a long kick towards touch. Fielding the ball in play, right wing Osian Parry Jones made ground, handed off his opposite number and beat the despairing covering defence to score wide out. To crown his effort, he landed the acutely angled conversion.

Llandudno, however, reaped their just rewards with a 42nd minute try in the corner. The unsuccessful kick at goal was the last act of a hard fought encounter.

On Saturday, Pwllheli travel to Llanelli Wanderers in the Swalec Plate (ko 2pm) and will leave Parc Bodegroes at 7.15 am.

Pwllheli Seconds lost 17-12 away to Bethesda on Friday night, and Pwllheli Youths were 34-7 winners against Caernarfon Youths at Bodegroes on Saturday.