Champs post early warning to league rivals

PWLLHELI laid down an early marker that they will be hard to stop in their quest for a third successive Division One title when they won 37-24 at fierce rivals Nant Conwy.

The Lleyn side started strongly and Nick Butterworth put over a penalty before fly-half John Pugh beat the cover to touch down. Butterworth added the extras.

Nant responded well, quick passing putting scrum-half Cai Jones clear to score.

Pwllheli were again caught short and Nant scored a second well-worked try through left wing Jac Moriarty.

The travellers upped a gear, their backs outpacing the opposition and Pugh earned his second try, Butterworth converting.

From a rolling maul second row Caron Jones broke free to gallop 20 metres to the try-line, Butterworth improving for 24-10.

Butterworth’s pace and power took him past several would-be tacklers to score Pwllheli’s fourth and bonus point try before the break.

Early Nant pressure in the second half broke down and Pugh took advantage to win a length of the pitch race to ground the ball.

The hosts responded and Pwllheli were reduced to 14 after Pugh transgressed when Nant had a penalty close to the line.

Scrum-half Jones scored from close range, Arthur Lennon’s conversion making it 34-17.

With Pwllheli still down to 14, Jones scored his third try and his team’s fourth, the conversion being added.

The champions regrouped and gradually earned territorial parity before substitute Osian Parry Jones’ 50-metre effort sealed it.

Pwll host COBRA this Saturday. ● Pwllheli Seconds triumphed 19-5 at Bro Ffestiniog, while Pwllheli Youths won 31-12 at Bangor.