PWLLHELI take on Division One North leaders Nant Conwy at Bodegroes on Saturday in what will be a defining match for both clubs in their pursuit of the title.

Nant go into the match 22 points clear, but Pwllheli, who boast a perfect 10 wins from 10 games at home this season, have four games in hand and a victory would put real pressure on the frontrunners.

Pwllheli must win to stand a chance of pipping Nant to the post, but they then face a daunting five away games to conclude their fixtures against Bethesda, Mold, Llandudno, Bala and Dolgellau.

After a deluge of rain and snow showers last weekend, Pwllheli were delighted to get the game on against Llandudno, and they kept up their pressure at the top with a 39-13 win.

By kick-off the pitch looked good and in fact stood up well throughout the game.

Though Llandudno are having an average season by their standards, they will have been encouraged by the late permit of several players from the RGC squad.

The visitors started the game strongly and their style of open rugby was refreshing. Though they had the wind on their backs, they limited their kicking game and used their pacey sturdy backs to try to punch holes in the home defence.

It was Pwllheli, however, who struck first. Losing a ball in a heavy tackle, a Llandudno player was penalised for then holding on and winger Osian Parry Jones kicked the Llyn side three points ahead.

The visitors’ response was almost immediate and after six minutes they levelled with a penalty by full back Ryan Pyke.

The match became fragmented, with both sides being regularly penalised. It was no surprise that the next score came from a penalty, and it was Pyke who put his side 6-3 up with his successful kick.

From the kick-off Pwllheli secured possession, kept control and made ground on the left. Spurning a kick at goal, they went for touch and were awarded a line-out 15 metres out. They won clean ball at the line and drove Llandudno back, for flanker Caron Jones to crash over for the try.

Llandudno continued to attack, but a loose kick ahead saw Pwllheli counter from 60 metres out. Slick inter-passing saw Llandudno’s defence shredded, and fullback Danial Glyn went clear to score.

The visitors were still very much in the game and with their scrum under pressure, it was Pwllheli who were penalised, much to the bemusement of the hosts.

Pwllheli’s third try then came when centre Deio Brunelli cut through to score.

To their credit, Llanduno came back strongly and were awarded a penalty on 37 minutes. Though the tap and go by was blatantly taken metres away from the alleged offence, Llandudno’s Bobby Davies was awarded a try under the posts, much to the consternation of the home team.

Ryan Pyke’s conversion was the last score of the half, and half time came with Pwlheli holding a slender 18-13 lead.

Pwllheli had to up their effort, and they did. Their set-piece dominated the second half and the scrum suddenly became an important part of their strategy as Llandudno’s eight came under severe pressure.

A barrage of penalties were awarded against Llanduno and Osian Parry Jones extended the lead with three penalties.

The visitors tried to reorganise the defence, but when their winger was yellow carded for a tip tackle after 24 minutes there was really no way back. Flanker Caron Jones capped a fine display when he scored his second, bonus point winning try, and Jones added the conversion.

The visiting side never gave up, but an error near to Pwllheli’s twenty two led to the home team’s fifth and final score.

Latching on to the loose ball, left wing Robin Hughes Jones beat his opposite number for pace and hacked the ball on.

Llanduno tried to cover, but a second kick ahead saw centre Deio Brunelli outpace the defender to touch down, and the final whistle went two minutes later.

Though the score may somewhat flatter Pwllheli, they were nonetheless deserving winners of this hard fought contest.

It was a job well done against an organised well drilled Llandudno side, and all attention now turns to the game that could be the decider in the race for the Division One North title this weekend.