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                            [North Div 2 Playoff ] 11.03.2017

A minutes silence by all at the ground in memory of Dolgellau Club stalwart, and committee  member, Emlyn Jones, who passed away yesterday, was impeccably observed before this play-off match got underway. The club wish to thank our hosts and referee Ceirion Parry in realising this kind gesture.

Dolgellau enjoyed a large percentage of possession during the whole of this match, but found it difficult to break down a resolute Llanidloes rear-guard, but to their immense credit they emerged from here with a bonus point that may be crucial later in the campaign.

With 13 minutes on the clock, Dolgellau second row, Berwyn Hughes broke into the home red zone, and scrum half, Jac Roberts cleverly wrong footed the home cover on the blind side to put in wing, Rob Pugh in the corner to make it 0-5. Straight from the re-start Llani’s normal discipline broke down in mid field and Dolgellau wing, Rhys Lewis, gleefully picked up a loose pass to sprint home for the score from halfway. This time skipper, Gerwyn Thomas added the conversion to put Dolgellau 0-12 ahead. Llanidloes stand-off Paul Jehu almost capitalised on some sloppy defending by the visiting back three, but Dolgellau’s well drilled defence held on to their 12 point lead at the break.

Five minutes into the second period, Dolgellau second row Rob Lewis secured quick possession from a five metre lineout, allowing a trade mark push over effort for prop Geraint Evans. Gerwyn Thomas’ magnificent conversion from a difficult angle put Dolgellau 0-19 ahead.

Llanidloes dug deep, and it seemed that a fourth, bonus point try, would not materialise for the hard working visitors. However with less than five minutes remaining, Llani lost both no.8 Richard Jones and the inspirational Jehu, to yellow cards for deliberate foul play in the red zone. But time was running out for Dolgellau, when a long clearance kick deep into Dolgellau territory was gathered by wing Rob Pugh.  Stand-off Gerwyn Thomas saw space to his right which centre Dylan Evans exploited, and raced away to set up his fellow centre Gareth Hughes, and his pace did the rest in crossing for a great try to secure the all- important bonus point.