Report provided by Dolgellau:
Dolgellau are through to the second round of Swalec Plate with this nail biting win over a rejuvinated Rhuthun side, who had just scored seven tries against league contenders Pwllheli, only a week ago. Dolgellau have now beaten Rhuthun in three successive cup games, following a win in Swalec Plate at same stage last season, and that memorable North Wales Cup semi final last February.
In near perfect conditions, and with the Marian pitch in imacculate condition,Dolgellau made the early running and went ahead with a penalty to Stand-off Gerwyn Thomas, after thirteen minutes on the clock. Dolgellau centre Jac Roberts almost crossed the whitewash, but it was Rhuthun who succeded with their first score after half an hour, when prop, Jason Humphries squeezed over in the corner to make it 3-5.
Flanker, Dewi Thomas, prop Greg Smithies and flanker Marios Jones all came close for the home side but outstanding defence by Rhuthun no.8 Chris Davies kept Jones from scoring a certain score. However on the stroke of half time, Dolgellau second row, Berwyn Hughes was alert to see a narrow gap at the tail of a lineout to sprint home for the try. Skipper, Gerwyn Thomas succeeded with the conversion to put Dolgellau 10-5 ahead at the interval.
The second half was very tense, and Rhuthun edged ahead going into the last quarter, when centre,Kyle Davies sprinted through following several phases of play. Second row Deian Williams converted and Rhuthun had regained their slendeer lead at 10-12.
It seemed it was going to be another hard luck story for Dolgellau, but with only seven minutes remaining, substitute wing, Rob Pugh broke through to the 5m line, and the ball was fed to wing, Gareth Hughes to cross over in the right corner, and make the score 15-12.
Dolgellau survived several nail biting incursions by a determined Rhuthun unit, in the closing stages, but held their nerve to claim a memorable win.
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