PWLLHELI travel to Mold this weekend needing to win to reclaim the Division One North title, and their crucial 28-7 triumph away at Bala was exactly the competition they had needed.

Pwllheli’s players were battered and bruised, but will be all the better for it.

Bala’s pack did well against a bulkier Pwllheli eight and for much of the first half, they deprived Pwllheli’s back line of possession and utilised their own potent three quarters to stretch Pwllheli’s cover.

Their half backs controlled the game very efficiently, but despite Bala’s endeavour it was Pwllheli who scored first.

When Bala were penalised for offside on the half way line, Osian Parry Jones’ kick soared through the goal posts to give an unexpected lead with 20 minutes gone.

Bala’s persevered in their fluid game and time and again they threatened the line, but good defence kept them out.

When Bala won the ball in midfield on 30 minutes, some quick delivery to the right seemed to be covered, but a Pwllheli player slipped and Bala were through.

Two slick passes to supporting players put Owain Pugh in for the try under the posts, and Rhydian Jones duly converted. The 7-3 scoreline galvanised Pwllheli, and they finished the first period on top.

From a set scrum Pwllheli took the ball right, drew Bala’s cover and passed it out to wing Osian Parry Jones. His strength took him through and over the would-be tackler to score a try close to touch. Jones’ conversion attempt narrowly missed.

Parry Jones made amends in the last action of the half when Pwllheli were awarded a wide out penalty which Jones slotted over for an 11-7 interval lead.

Pwllheli put in a more concerted and imposing performance in the second half. They had a strong bench and this was properly utilised as the half progressed.

They achieved more possession and were able to unleash their powerful back row, who worked well with their backs.

Two incisive forward drives took Pwllheli into Bala’s red zone, and two sniping runs were held up, but they then switched the ball right. The ball was taken by the rampaging No 8 Huw Williams and he galloped through for the try unscathed.

Parry Jones’ successful conversion gave his side breathing space as they led 18-7.

Bala’s spirit was undaunted, however, and they countered strongly. They had a series of five metre scrums and also line-outs with metres of Pwllheli’s line.

The visitors worked hard as an unit to keep them out, and they will have been defleated when Pwllheli latched on to an error to hoof the ball back into Bala’s half.

It was now Bala’s turn to be under pressure, but they held out from a series of surges before talisman second row Geraint Parry crashed over wide out on the left for their third try, unconverted.

Bala continued to work hard, but the game had turned Pwllheli’s way and right at the end Kalim Kelemete, watched by his parents who are visiting from New Zealand, saw that Bala’s defence was dog-legged as he jinked his way through to score Pwllheli’s bonus point try. The hurried conversion attempt however missed.

The Club has arranged a bus for the Mold match and supporters are asked to register their interest as soon as possible as demand is already high. Likewise coaches for the Conway Land Rover North Wales Cup Final on 13 May are filling up quickly. Kick-off will be 3pm.