Fixture

Pwllheli travelled to Bethesda with a side that was without a sizeable number of their  farmers as they were understandably  committed elsewhere. They were well aware of the threat the home side posed  and had prepared accordingly. Pwllheli knew that discipline was key as they faced a bulky Bethesda pack which was much heavier than their own. The back line too knew of the skills that Bethesda's backs had available with their overseas half backs and Mathew Parry and the solid Ben Stelmaszek playing at centre. Despite the gloomy weather forecast the snow held off and the pitch  stood up well throughout the game There was a strong wind running lengthways and it was icy cold for players and supporters alike.

Pwllheli made an ideal start. Gathering a clearance kick they took they ball into Bethesda's twenty two. They set up a drive but this was collapsed and a penalty awarded. Osian P.J ones slotted the kick. Bethesda then countered using the wind advantage made ground on the left. Wing  Osian P.Jones was penalised for interfering with play in an offside position but also received a yellow card even though no previous warning had been issued. The home side scented the opportunity an in an excellent flowing movement outflanked the Pwllheli cover for wing Danial Owen to touch down in the fifteenth minute. Mathew Parry kicked the difficult conversion.

With Bethesda persevering in using their pack and favouring the blind side the Lleyn side worked very hard to keep Bethesda at bay. Against the run of play Pwllheli were awarded a penalty. With  Osian P.Jones having returned to the pitch only seconds before he redeemed himself with an excellent kick to take the score to seven to six to Bethesda. On thirty four minutes Pwllheli lost experienced centre Euros Thomas through injury and the talented but inexperienced Danial Glyn took his place. Bethesda's scrum gradually got the upper hand and a Pwllheli were made to work hard in defence

The half time whistle went after fifty exhausting minutes with no change in the score.

It was all Bethesda in the opening fifteen minutes. They battered at the visiting defensive line but the young Pwllheli team stood their ground. The home side threw everything into the attack to stretch their lead. One dropped pass on the half way line by Bethesda  was neatly picked up by Pwllheli centre John Pugh. With the Bethesda backs configured for attack Pugh raced the fifty metres to score untouched under the posts. Jones slotted the conversion. Once more Pwllheli were under the cosh but whenever they got the ball in hand they were a threat. Twenty five minutes in they took the ball right. and crisp inter passing gave fly half Owain Williams to dive over in the corner. The superb conversion by Jones put Pwllheli inan unlikely twenty points to seven lead The referee took exception to the colourful response to the try  by the  Bethesda number eight and issued a yellow card. Pwllhelitook advantage of the extra man and Jones added a further penalty to his tally on thirty minutes.

It was now do or die for Bethesda and they threw everything at Pwllheli. They created a three to one overlap on the right but a crunching man and ball tackle by wing Ifan Roberts turned the ball over. Something though had to give and on thirty three minutes scrum half Jared Mitchell squeezed over . Jared Mitchell also added the two points. Despite their possession Bethesda hugged the right touchline and Pwllheli's tackles came in strongly. As centre Stelmaszek seemed to be through  he was hit with a thundering tackle from flanker Eifion Roberts the impact of which could be heard on the other side of the pitch. Pwllheli were now happy to run down the clock but the final whistle did not come until the forty eighth  minute.

This was a hard won and deserved victory for Pwllheli. With several senior players unavailable and two more lost during the match it was credit to this team that they held a confident and full strength Bethesda side. This was Pwllheli's hardest physical challenge of the season and to see them withstanding this sternest of tests was very encouraging.

Pwllheli Youths beat visitors Cobra at Bodegroes by fity one points to six.

This weeks match is home to Denbigh. Kick off as always is 2.30.