PWLLHELI produced their most cohesive performance of the season so far to remain three points clear at the top of the Division One North table with a 37-8 win against a committed, powerful Ruthin.

Ruthin had arrived at Bodegroes early and in high spirits, given their defeat of Nant Conwy, and it was clear they would be using their heavyweight back line to punch holes in the Pwllheli defence.

Their forwards and backs combined well to take the ball into the Pwllheli 22, and when the hosts were caught offside fly half Nathan Jones slotted the penalty.

Pwllheli kept their composure and their back row was quicker to the loose ball.

When fly half John Pugh latched onto a loose pass near half way, he outpaced Ruthin’s cover to score under the posts, and Osian Parry Jones added the extras.

The hosts pressed their advantage and when Ruthin were penalised for killing the ball, Jones kicked the penalty points.

The pressure on the visitors was maintained, and when Pwllheli fielded a wayward kick on the left the forwards and backs combined well to make 40 metres.

Flanker Dafydd Anwyl then broke on the blind of a ruck and sliced through to score, and again Jones added the extras.

Ruthin had edged the scrums in the first quarter, but as the half progressed Pwllheli attained parity and were secure on their own ball. This allowed their half backs to have more control of the game.

Scrum half Nick Butterworth was able to pin Ruthin back with a series of testing kicks, to put Ruthin on the back foot, and when the visitors were again penalised for not releasing, Jones added three more points by kicking a long range penalty.

Pwllheli led 20-3 at half-time, but Ruthin started the second half stronger and when they secured clean line-out ball 10 metres from the try line, a simple throw to the front of the line saw hooker Daniel Miller crash over for an unconverted try.

Forward replacements rejuvenated the Pwllheli pack, and the Llyn side began to edge all areas of play - and it was no surprise when Parry Jones added a penalty.

Ruthin’s opportunity came when the home side had a second row yellow carded, but it was the hosts who scored next.

Prop Alwyn Trenholme, celebrating his birthday, finished off an effective driving maul, and Jones added the conversion.

The home side were very much on top, but it took until the 41st minute of the second half to secure a key try bonus point.

Pwllheli kept the ball tight and inched towards the Ruthin try line, with replacement second row Huw Williams scoring the most acrobatic of tries as he soared through over the would-be defenders.

Jones’ successful conversion was the last action of what had been an excellent advert for community rugby, and the contribution of referee Amada Lattuca was acknowledged by the Pwllheli supporters.

The Man of the Match award went to Pwllheli flanker Dafydd Anwyl Williams.

On Saturday they travel to Caernarfon in the Swalec Plate, whilst Pwllheli Seconds travel to Shotton in the second round of the Swalec Bowl, having had with a resounding 83-5 league victory at Benllech.