Fixture

Field conditions were excellent for this opening match of the season with only a light wind having any impact on play. The smaller than hoped for crowd- though still in excess of 100 - were partly the result of the early kick off but also conflicting kick off times advertised in the media.

As expected COBRA were tough opposition and they contested strongly for long periods.They are clearly a well drilled outfit and kept up a tight disciplined display throughout the eighty minutes. Despite their long journey they arrived early and were very much up for the game.

Pwllheli started the stronger as they took the ganme to the visitors. Set pieces looked solid and they contested well in the loose. As it was it took another flair break by centre John Pugh to unlock the visitors defence. His deceptive pace and step wrong footed  C0BRAs cover as he crossed after ten minutes.  Argentine fly half Manu Acebo  - in for the injured Owain Williams - slotted the conversion. The Lleyn side kept up the pressure and on eighteen minutes centre Deio Brunelli took advantage of a slick passing move to cross in the corner. Manu Acebo'r touchline kick against the wind soared through the posts to to Pwllheli fourteen points to nil in the load. Cobra rallied and for ten minutes they dominated possession and territory. Pwllheli's organised defence kept them out but COBRA were clearly  not out of the game. There was no further scoring in the first period.

It was the home side who restarted the game with more intent. Two scoring opportunities were spurned before their number eight Tom Billington Parry crossed for Pwllheli's third try. Acebo was again accurate with the conversion giving Pwllheli a twenty one to nil cushion. Pwllheli then had a forward carded for not releasing and COBRA took advantage. Their lively fly half Llew Williams scored a try on twenty one minutes. He added the conversion to cut his side's deficit by seven points. It was now Pwllheli's turn to dig deep and although down to fourteen men their fourth and bonus point try was scored by new captain Nick Butterworth. Manuel Acebo added his fourth consecutive conversion after twenty seven minutes.

The final period of the game saw both sides give their all but it was Pwllheli who had the final say when left wing Robin Hughes Jones was given a yard of space in his own half. His pace and strength took him past and through would be defenders to score Pwllheli's fifth and final try. Acebo kept his impressive kicking record at one hundred per cent when he slotted the conversion.

Players ,coaches and supporters will be pleased with the win but they realise that this is only the start of a long and difficult season.

Pwllheli will have to up a gear if they are to get anything  from this Saturday's match away to Caernarfon. Neither side will require any motivation and with the Cofis securing a good away win against Llangefni last weekend this should be a match worth watching. 

The second team's scheduled match against Bro was called off as Bro could not raise a side.They also travel to Caernarfon on Saturday.