PWLLHELI breezed to an emphatic home win over Colwyn Bay to maintain their pressure on leaders Nant Conwy at the top of Division One North - but the visitors’ 15 players gave their all, and could still go home with their heads held high.

There was uncertainty as to whether the match would go ahead until a few hours before kick-off. The heavy rain and training had left areas of the pitch in a poor state, with surface water in some patches.

The remedial work done during the course of the morning by Richard Williams and Robat Williams tipped the balance, ensuring the match could go ahead.

Shortly before kick-off, Colwyn Bay declared they did not have a suitable front row, and would have to ask for uncontested scrums. This is an element of North Wales rugby which is becoming endemic, and there must be a response by the WRU.

Considering the heavy conditions both sides tried to keep the ball available, and this was much to Pwllheli’s advantage.

It took the Llyn side barely two minutes to register their first score as flanker Dafydd Anwyl was put in the clear to touch down unopposed, and Osian Parry Jones successfully added the extra two points.

Colwyn Bay tried to use their bulky backs to breach the Pwllheli cover, but the home defence was solid all afternoon.

Ten minutes later the visitors dropped a pass 40 metres from their line and fly half John Pugh latched on to the loose ball and scurried over. Parry Jones made it 14-0.

The game fluctuated for the next 10 minutes, but then the floodgates opened.

Tries by second row Geraint Parry and flanker Tom Parry ensured a bonus point, before five more tries before half-time.

Scrum half Robin Hughes Jones, left winger Gethin Vaughan Jones, Robin Hughes Jones, Tom Parry and centre Ianto Parry all went over, and Osian Parry Jones added five conversions to take the half time score to Pwllheli 59 Colwyn Bay 0.

The second period was a tighter affair as Colwyn Bay dug deep. They competed strongly in the rucks and mauls, but Pwllheli’s established defensive alignment thwarted the visitors’ attacking moves.

The game was a stalemate for 15 minutes, but Pwllheli maintained their pressure and flanker Dafydd Anwyl scored his second and hat-trick tries in quick succession, before winger Gethin Vaughan Jones also added to his first half score.

Anwyl went over for his fourth try of the afternoon, and his team’s 13th, before two tries were scored in the fourth quarter.

Scrum half Robin Hughes Jones achieved his hat-trick, before full back Danial Glyn Williams then scored Pwllheli’s 15th try.

Osian Parry Jones slotted three more conversions in the second half, to achieve a total of 10 successful kicks on the day.

The Pwllheli coaches will have been pleased with the way their back row functioned, with Dafydd Anwyl, Chris Studt, Tom Parry and Alan Roberts denying the opposition time and space on the ball.

They were also able to blood new players in the backs, and ended the game with only one back who had played against Nant Conwy a few weeks previously.

Pwllheli had a strong bench which they used effectively, whereas Colwyn Bay could not bring any subs to the game.

Pwllheli have no match this Saturday, so the focus is now on their Swalec Plate Quarter Final tie at home to Abercarn.

This match takes place at Bodegroes on Saturday, 18 February, kicking-off at the earlier time of 2pm. The game is being kindly sponsored by C.K.I. Pwllheli.

It it Pwllheli’s most important match for many years, and the Llyn side hope to be boosted by the volume of home support.