PWLLHELI had travelled to Mold expecting to be tested by the forward power of the opponents, and they had to battle all the way before coming through for a 21-17 win in Division One North.

Mold, fourth in the league and having won convincingly away to Colwyn Bay the previous week, winning five of their eight starts in the league this season, expected to do well on home soil against the champions.

The first half was intense and cagey, but the hosts went ahead on five minutes with a Jack Pearson penalty, for an off-side at a ruck.

On re-start, the visitors broke free and soon centre Robin Hughes Jones had touched down his first try, and winger Osian Parry Jones had added the extras.

Not to be outdone, the home side rounded off a fine move when centre Richard Hopkins touched down, and Pearson successfully converted to give the advantage back to Mold at 10-7 with less than 10 minutes of the game played.

Pwllheli, with a much changed team and without some of their experienced players due to injuries and unavailability, upped their effort in the second quarter.

The referee gave two general warnings to the Mold forwards for various infringements before, in the 40th minute, he issued a red card to flanker Chris Ellis.

The visitors kept composure and pressure on the home team and eventually Hughes Jones found a way through the defenders to touch down his second try. Parry Jones again converted for a 10-14 half time score.

Ten minutes into the second half, Mold winger Kenny Williams ran onto an accurate kick ahead, gathered the ball and touched down to put his team ahead again, and Pearson’s conversion made the scoreline 17-14.

The closing 30 minutes saw the hosts use the substitutes to their advantage, but Pwllheli’s decision making and handling improved.

Finally, after a lot of pressure on the home defenders in the last quarter, prop Alwyn Trenholme forced his way over the line in the 40th minute to touch down.

Parry Jones then added the conversion, and Pwllheli were clearly relieved to have maintained their 100 per cent record this season.

Their next game is against title rivals Nant Conwy at Bodegroes with a 12pm kick off on Saturday, before the Wales v Georgia match.

• Teirw Nant beat Pwllheli Seconds 23-12 at home to take over the lead in Division Three North. They are now two points ahead of second-placed Holyhead, with Pwllheli placed third, with all three teams having now played seven games.