PWLLHELI stepped up their title challenge in Division One North as they achieved the double over current champions Nant Conwy with a 20-12 victory, to keep within striking distance of league leaders Llandudno.

With a lot at stake for both teams, it was clear from the outset that this was not to be an encounter for the faint-hearted.

Nant started well, and on five minutes they were awarded a penalty, but Steph Horan’s attempt drifted wide of the posts.

Three minutes later, with their forwards winning loose ball on the right, they switched the ball across their backs and wing Sion Pringle used his pace to go over in the left corner for an unconverted try.

With both teams vying for ascendancy, it was key that the teams took advantage of any opportunity, and on 17 minutes Pwllheli had a prop yellow-carded for a trip, but Horan’s penalty again drifted wide.

Despite their efforts, Nant were unable to breach Pwllheli’s structured defence when the hosts were down to 14 men.

Pwllheli, who were well orchestrated by Nick Butterworth at scrum half, gradually upped their game, but Nant coped well.

On 27 minutes Nant had a flanker yellow-carded, and Pwllheli took immediate advantage as they camped in Nant’s red zone and after several surges captain Tom Parry saw a gap to cross the line for a try.

Nick Butterworth added the conversion to give the hosts the lead for the first time.

Pwllheli pinned Nant into their 22 and varied their attacks, and on 33 minutes a pass from Butterworth put centre Ianto Parri clear to power over under the posts, and Butterworth converted for a 15-4 lead.

A resilient Nant rallied and gradually took the ball into the Pwllheli red zone, and when Pwllheli were awarded a line- out just seven metres from their try line they naively chose to throw the ball long.

Nant won the ball, moved it right and Cai Jones crossed under the posts, making the conversion a formality for Horan.

Pwllheli, holding on to a narrow 14-12 lead, had the better of the third quarter of the match and were quicker to the loose ball, although the line-out creaked a little.

No quarter was given, but on 10 minutes Nant conceded a penalty for killing the ball and Butterworth slotted the kick.

Pwllheli maintained their edge and 19 minutes in they forced another penalty, which Butterworth again duly kicked.

Nant then threw the kitchen sink at Pwllheli, using their speedy backs effectively, but their kicking game allowed the hosts to relieve pressure on several occasions.

The visitors had a 10 minute period where they were territorially dominant, but they could not break the resistance, and were disappointed to leave Bodgroes without even getting a losing bonus point.

• Pwllheli Seconds also did very well as they beat Llangefni 48-5 at Bodegroes, with Peryf Williams making an explosive start to his senior career with three tries.

Talented Harry Moncrieffe added two tries, with Sion Griffiths, Berwyn Jones and captain Alan Roberts adding the others. Roberts also slotted four conversions.

The day was somewhat unusual prior to kick-off as the Club welcomed three coach loads of Pontypridd RFC supporters, who planned to see their side play against RGC at Colwyn Bay. It was called off, so they chose to watch the game at Bodegroes.

They were wonderful guests and demonstrated the rugby community at its best.

Pwllheli face another tough hurdle on Saturday as they travel to play a Ruthin side that is on a powerful run and will challenge their unbeaten league status.

BRO FFESTINIOG 5 BALA 51

BALA achieved a comfortable win over struggling Bro Ffestiniog at Cae Dolawel, with the visitors securing the bonus point within 30 minutes of a five try first half, with a hat-trick for wing Rhydian Jones.

The visitors’ first points came from two successful penalty kicks from centre Owain Aled, before Jones’ first try came following a turnover on the half way line - the right wing crossing over in the corner, with Aled also adding the conversion.

With Bro on the back foot, Bala’s second try came soon after. The visitors were awarded a kickable penalty, but chose to kick for touch. From the lineout a catch and drive carried flanker Owain Puw over the whitewash and Aled added the extras.

A break by Bro’s Dewi James and Aron Roberts took home side deep into Bala’s 22, but a knock on thwarted that attack.

Jones intercepted a pass inside Bro’s half and the wing showed great footballing skills to kick and chase the ball and claim his second, which Aled again converted.

A break by Bala’s Argentine scrum half took them to within metres of the try line, and two phases later his half back partner and fellow Argentine scored between the posts, and once again Aled converted.

The final try of the half was Jones’ third - as he pounced on a loose ball before kicking through to score an unconverted try, and the sides went into the break at 0-39.

The second half was much better for Bro, but Bala won turnover ball from a maul and six phases later Elgan Evans scored, and Aled again successfully converted.

A poor clearance kick by Bro was gathered by Rhydian Jones who put full back Miall Roberts through to score Bala’s seventh and final try which was unconverted.

With only eight minutes left of the match Bro’s consolation try came following some good inter-passing, with flanker Huw Parry finishing off, with an unconverted try.

This weekend is a must-win match for Bro as they entertain fellow strugglers Mold, while Bala are at home to Llangefni.

WELSHPOOL 5 DOLGELLAU 43

DOLGELLAU overcame another formidable obstacle in their quest to move up the division two north table, but they left it late to secure a bonus point, by scoring three tries in injury time at the end of the game.

Welshpool, after a fine win the previous weekend, were only five points behind Dolgellau before the match and were intent on capitalising on a battered and bruised side, following their epic WRU Bowl tie.

It was Dolgellau, however, who struck first after only two minutes. Centre Jac Roberts’ surge upfield set up a ruck on the home 22, scrum half; Lewis Jones was quick to the break down, and he sold the entire Welshpool defence an outrageous dummy to score near the posts. Wing Jake Hinge added the conversion to make it 0-7.

Hinge added a penalty to put Dolgellau 0-10 ahead after 10 minutes, but it was the hosts who went on to dominate the next 25 minutes, and put the visitors under constant pressure.

Dolgellau were holding on with some great defence, but a quickly taken penalty brought a well earned try to centre Harry Davies to make the scoreline 5-10.

It would take something special to relieve the pressure, and it came with five minutes of the half remaining. Full back Rob Pugh embarked on a winding run from well inside his own half and avoided several tackles to score a memorable try. It was 5-15 to Dolgellau at the interval.

Dolgellau had the best possible start to the second half, scoring straight from the kick-off, as Jac Roberts and Greg Smithies set up No 8 Marius Jones for the score. Jake Hinge added the conversion to go 5-22 up.

To their credit, the hosts responded by keeping Dolgellau in their own half for almost the entire half.

Wrong options, poor decision making and poor handling, coupled with Dolgellau’s outstanding defence, kept the score the same.

No 8 Ryan Goodwin was halted several times on the try line, and it seemed the match would end with no further score, until in the last minute of normal time.

Dolgellau’s Jac Roberts, now at stand-off, burst upfield and his expertly placed chip saw speedy wing Jake Hinge outpace the home cover to touch down, and clinch the all important fourth try. He added the conversion to put Dolgellau 5-29 ahead.

Referee Iwan Williams signalled eight minutes of added time, and Dolgellau took full advantage when scoring two further tries.

The first went to replacement wing Dafydd Ellis, created by hooker Eon Williams, and it was Ellis himself who set up No 8 Marius Jones to sprint clear for his second and Dolgellau’s sixth try at the death.

Wing Jake Hinge added both conversions to make the final score 5-43, which was very cruel on the hard-working hosts, who dominated for long periods.