Fixture

                           [North Div 2 Play-off ] 08.04.2017

Dolgellau came through this hugely entertaining encounter to secure a bonus point victory, showing plenty of character to come from 0-8 down and having been reduced to 13 men in a highly charged opening half hour.

Shotton came out of the blocks on fire, and went ahead after only three minutes, when centre Adam Lynskey created space for wing Darren Rees to squeeze over in the corner. Ten minutes later Shotton full-back Steve Ellison slotted over a penalty for high tackle to put the Steel men 0-8 ahead and looking very comfortable.  In a bizarre few minutes half way through the half Dolgellau lost both half backs, Gerwyn Thomas and Jac Roberts to yellow cards.   But the hosts responded well, and with first half injury time looming, prop Dan Brazier broke free to release his fellow prop, Greg Smithies to cross the whitewash.

Skipper, Gerwyn Thomas, now back on the field, added the conversion to make it 7-8. 

Six minutes into added time Shotton extended their lead, with Ellison putting over a penalty as Dolgellau handled in a ruck situation.   But straight from the re-start came the try of the match as Dolgellau full-back, Gerwyn Pugh countered from his own 22, Thomas took it over half way, and prop Dan Brazier was again involved to put in flanker Iwan Evans under the posts for a great try. Thomas again added the conversion to put Dolgellau in an unlikely 14-11 lead in a half that had lasted fifty five minutes.

Ten minutes into the second period, Dolgellau scored their third try, as Dan Brazier scored following a drive from five meter line out, to give them a 19-11 lead. But Shotton always looked threatening behind, and centre Adam Lynskey intercepted a loose Dolgellau pass on half way to sprint home under the posts. Full back Steve Ellison added the extras and they were right back in it at 19-18 after fifteen minutes.

Dolgellau made the changes, and replacement full-back, Henri Roberts finished a move started by brother Jac on half way, and aided by centre Dylan Evans.  Roberts added the conversion and put over a penalty to put Dolgellau 29-18 ahead after half an hour.

Henri Roberts added his second penalty at the end of normal time, but seven minutes into stoppage time Dolgellau replacement Danny Evans sped away down theleft and chipped ahead, with replacement wing Rhys Lewis touching down to close the scoring on a great contest and making the final score 37-18.

Referee : John Grifiths