IT was a close run thing as Dinbych hosted Bala in the WRU Division One Cup.

In the end, it was the Gwynedd visitors who managed to come out on top by a 22-17 margin.

Both teams battled hard against the difficult playing conditions of a strong swirling wind and sweeping rain throughout to serve up a cracking cup tie.

Bala were always in the lead, but Dinbych gave a gritty performance to chip away at this and close to within a score at the end.

Bala had first advantage of the elements in their favour and took the lead in the fifth minute with a penalty from 40 metres by outside half Llion Jones when Dinbych were caught offside.

They increased their lead with a try midway through the half by flanker Caio Roberts, converted by Llion Jones, after an unexpected break away through a ruck near halfway.

Bala extended their lead further near half time with an unconverted try by prop Dylan Jones who finished off a number of driving mauls following a lineout just inside the Dinbych 22.

Dinbych then hit back on the stroke of half time with a try by centre Aidyn Jones, who ran in from halfway to score under the posts after being fed by winger Finlay Jenkins who had snaffled up a loose ball near the touchline.

Dan O’Sullivan added the conversion points.

Trailing 15-7 at the interval, Dinbych closed the gap early in the second half with a penalty from 30 metres by Dan O’Sullivan when Bala transgressed at a maul following a lineout.

However, Bala responded to this and they went further ahead with a try by hooker Garin Davies, who finished off a number of short-range forward drives resulting from a counter-attack down the left hand touchline from half way.

Llion Jones added the conversion points for the visitors to lead by 22-10 at this stage of proceedings.

Dinbych finished strongly as they dominated territory and with their powerful scrummaging and forward drives forcing Bala to concede a string of penalties and eventually a yellow card.

Despite this, the Bala defence held firm until the final whistle when full back Gruff Roberts made the extra man to put debutant wing Owen Rowlands over for a try converted with a drop kick by Dan O’Sullivan.