PWLLHELI missed out on the bonus point try, but a convincing 20-7 victory over Llangefni keeps them in the hunt for the Division One North championship title.

The weather was not too favourable for this league match at Bodgroes, with a strong wind blowing length-wise west to east, which had an impact on the game.

The occasional heavy showers of rain did not help ball handling, and the cold too had an effect on the skills on display.

Yet, despite this, there was a decent crowd to support their respective teams.

The visitors had the better of the first half, both territorially and in possession.

They had clearly come to the Llyn to get something out of the game, and their level of commitment was impressive.

The match was a staccato affair, with regular stoppages, which did not allow a pattern of play to develop. The Cefni half backs did well, and used the elements effectively to turn the Pwllheli defence.

On 10 minutes Llangefni lodged themselves in the home twenty two and set up a series of rolling mauls, and their effort was finished off well by second row Dion Oliver after 10 minutes. The conversion was also slotted over by Richard Foulkes.

It took Pwllheli only three minutes to respond. They were awarded a penalty wide out on the left after killing the ball, and wing Osian Parry Jones did well to slot the difficult kick in the swirling wind.

Pwllheli were awarded what appeared to be a kickable penalty after 22 minutes, but the hosts went for touch instead.

As the first half progressed, Pwllheli created two clear cut chances to score.

Firstly, they worked an opening on the right and set up a two against one in the Cefni twenty two - only for the final pass to soar over the supporting player.

The second opportunity came in the last movement of the half. Scrum half Nick Butterworth made a powerful run deep into the visitors’ twenty two, only for the pass to be dropped and the chance lost.

The second period saw Pwllheli up several gears, and their scrum in particular was dominant, but some line-out calls in the windy conditions were questionable.

Pwllheli now had the wind at their backs and several probing kicks made ground. They pressed Llangefni and in an action reply of Cefni’s first half score, a powerful drive from a scrum saw captain Tom Parry touch down for a try, and Parry Jones added the extra two points.

The home side were buoyed by the try and they added further scores by Tom Parry and centre Deio Brunelli, who finished off an excellent long distance move.

Pwllheli frantically chased the elusive bonus point try, but that was not to be.

The first team’s next league match is on Saturday, 23 March when they play Mold at Bodegroes (2.30pm kick-off). Match sponsors are Harlech Food Services.

This will be a busy day for the Club as it coincides with the Annual Smoker, to thank the generous sponsors and loyal vice presidents. After the match there will be a fund raising auction, including a Wales shirt signed by the whole team after the November match against South Africa. There will also be a Wales Womens jersey, again signed by the team.

Additionally Wales’ sponsors IZUZU are arranging for a training session for the juniors at 1pm. This will be undertaken by a Wales international player.

• Pwllheli Seconds were outmuscled by a bulky Flint side in the first half of their Division Three North match, but came back strongly before losing 13-18.

Pwllheli’s only try was scored by Tudur Ellis, and captain Alan Roberts added two penalties and a conversion.