Newtown next for in form Pool

Welshpool have moved up to sixth in the Division Two North East table after an impressive 24-17 victory over Machynlleth at the weekend.

The win, secured through some tremendous teamwork and sparkling individual performances, sets Pool up nicely for a league derby against the old enemy Newtown on Saturday.

After slipping behind to a Mach penalty, Tom Manuel continued his strong form with an excellent try to put Welshpool 5-3 ahead at the break, a lead they did not again relinquish.

The Welshpool dominance at the scrum was rewarded with a penalty try, converted by Tom Williams for a 12-3 lead with debutant Justin Haycock capping a strong debut to score Welshpool's third try, and at 17-3 Welshpool looked home and dry.

But Machynlleth scored a try of their own to give Welshpool some cause for concern, but fly-half Dylan Walton broke the line to score the bonus point try, which was again converted by Williams.

The visitors scored a late consolation try for a bonus point as Welshpool eased off the gas in the late stages, but all eyes now turn to the weekend and 4th placed Newtown, with only one league point separating the two sides.

Welshpool: Tom Manuel, Ally Evans, Ryan Manuel, Sam Ward, Tom Holloway, Tom Davies, Luke Godfrey, Ryan Goodwin, Andrew Thomas, Dylan Walton, Harry Davies, Jake Best, Justin Haycock, Chris Proctor, Tom Williams

Replacements: Harry Trow, Ben Gutteridge, Dan Stanley, Jamie Evans, Rhys Williams

Meanwhile, the Under 14s continued their good start to the season with a 57-10 home win over Bala.

For much of the first half, the scores were tied at 5-5, but Welshpool pulled ahead with three tries late in the half to lead 24-5 at the interval, before running in a further five tries in the second half to finish comfortable winners.

There was no such luck for the Under 10s and 12s, who both suffered defeats against Newtown on Saturday. The Under 8s were also in action against Newtown, and came away with two draws.

Next weekend, the Under 8s and 10s host Newtown on Saturday before the First XV game, the Under 12s are in a home festival on Sunday morning, and the Under 14s are at a festival in Newtown. The Girls Under 18s will also be in action on Friday night, as they travel to take on Bishop's Castle.

Elsewhere, Cobra (pictured by Daniel Owen) went down in North Wales Division One 20-8 at home to Llandudno, their fifth defeat of the season from six league matches to remain in the bottom.