BALA 24
DOLGELLAU 20
SPIRITED Bala kept alive their promotion hopes with a vital Gwynedd derby triumph at home to Dolgellau.
Once again the men from Maes Gwyniad failed in their efforts to gain a winning bonus point, but just claiming a win was tough enough for Bala versus their local rivals.
“It was as close as the score suggests,” said Bala chairman Tony Parry.
“They (Dolgellau) said that if they had that team out versus Bethesda the week before, they might have beaten Bethesda.”
The lead changed hands several times in an all-action first half before Dolgellau found themselves 20-18 up going into the second half.
Parry added: “We weren’t too disappointed to be 20-18 down at half-time because we had scored three tries.”
That meant that Bala required just one more second-half try to seal a much needed bonus, but despite a few near misses the home side failed to cross the whitewash again.
“At the end of the day, a win’s a win but I can’t see them (Bethesda) slipping up,” said Parry.
Rhydian Jones’ penalty gave Bala an early lead, but Dolgellau responded with an unconverted try to edge in front.
Back came Bala, however, and a Dochan Roberts score gave the home side the lead once again.
The lead continued to change hands as both sides battled for supremacy, with George Davies grabbing Bala’s try.
Shortly before the interval the visitors found themselves 20-13 in front, but the deficit was cut to two points on the stroke of half-time with Gwion Jones’ vital try.
The game continued in a similar nature in the second half as both sides went on the hunt for tries.
There were more chances, but some fine defending meant that the second period was a try-less affair, while the only points came courtesy of two Rhydian Jones penalties for Bala to seal victory.