DOLGELLAU were victorious and deservedly so after dominating the second half, to record an important 19-6 home win over Ruthin.

Both sides and referee, Mr Colin Scott, should be given immense credit for keeping this game moving as a spectacle on a very wet, school pitch, surface that broke up rapidly as the match progressed, making running and handling so difficult.

Despite Ruthin making all the early running, it was Dolgellau who went ahead after four minutes with a penalty to stand-off Gerwyn Thomas in their first incursion into Ruthin territory.

Ruthin centre Harri Morgan combined with wing Josh Wilson, and a score was on the cards before a great cover tackle by wing, Rhys Lewis prevented the score.

Dolgellau stretched their lead to six points after quarter of an hour, with Gerwyn Thomas’ second penalty and Thomas should have put over his third penalty following a darting run from scrum half, Lewis Jones, but his kick went narrowly wide, as a firm foothold became ever-more difficult.

Ruthin full -back Nathan Jones brought the visitors right back into it after half an hour with his first penalty, and with the pressure mounting on the home defence, he levelled matters with last play of the half, with his second penalty.

Dolgellau won the tactical battle in the second half, with Gerwyn Thomas’ long clearance kicks pinning Ruthin back into their own half.

A strong run from No 8 Dylan Llewelyn resulted in Dolgellau regaining the lead with Thomas’ third penalty, and with the forwards now in the ascendancy, hooker Eon Williams was involved before Ruthin were penalised again, giving Thomas his fourth penalty to make it 12-6 after 10 minutes’ play.

Ruthin did manage to break out on several occasions, but Josh Wilson was shepherded into touch by a determined home defence.

One sensed it was Dolgellau’s day, and going into the last quarter, their reward came, and what a try it was.

Flanker Iwan Pugh made a dart along the right touch line, wing Gareth Hughes and centre Owain Thomas handled superbly to set up hooker Eon Williams, who found wing Rhys Lewis to burst through to score under the posts. Gerwyn Thomas converted to make it 19-6.

* BALA lost ground on leaders Nant Conwy at the top of Division One North as they lost 7-20 to Llandudno.Dan Colclough was first to cross the line for a try, which Ryan Pike converted, but Bala hit back strongly with a converted try to make it 7-7 at the interval.The second half saw Llandudno put their hosts on the back foot, and Ryan Pike broke through to touch down for a try, which he converted, and he sealed a fine win with two penalties..