Pool too strong for Flint

Created on 10/03/2017 @ 08:47

A powerful display from the Welshpool pack gave captain Joe Stranks the opportunity to cross for all four of Welshpool's tries, as they finished the regular season with a solid 32-19 win over Flint.
With the game taking place on the smaller of the two Welshpool pitches due to the weather, there was little room for an exciting Welshpool backline to get into the game, but they were certainly not passengers in this win, more than doing their share of work in defence.
After an even opening spell, Welshpool took the lead through a penalty from young fly-half Dan Earle, before the Welshpool pack shoved their opposition back over their own line at a scrum to allow Stranks to score his first of the day, which Earle converted to give a 10-0 lead.

The second try was a carbon-copy of the first, with a five metre scrum seeing Stranks again controlling the ball well as his pack marched over the line, allowing him to dot down for his second, with Earle again converting.
After another powerful scrum, the captain was again on the score-sheet, albeit with a little bit more work to do - after the ball was fed out into the backline, a quick offload saw the ball back in his hands and the hat-trick was secured before the interval, with the home side going in 22-0 to the good.
However, Flint are not a side who lay down and die, and they fought their way back into the game as Welshpool seemed to take their foot off the gas. Two early scores saw them close the gap to 22-12, before a second Dan Earle penalty gave Welshpool a 13 point cushion at 25-12.
A third pushover try soon followed, allowing Stranks to claim his fourth try of the day and secure the bonus point. Flint continued to battle hard and were rewarded with another score, but were not able to get any closer to their hosts, with the game finishing 32-19.
Welshpool: Jamie Evans, Ally Evans, Tom Manuel, Sam Ward, Tom Holloway, Lee Richards, Luke Godfrey, Joe Stranks (c), Euan Harris, Dan Earle, Harry Davies, Tom Davies, Callum Richardson, Paul Davies, Jake Best. Replacements: Ryan Manuel, Gareth Gregory, Chay Bowles, Declan Price, Tom Worthy
Tries: Joe Stranks (4)
Conversions: Dan Earle (3)
Penalties: Dan Earle (2)
Busy weekend
This weekend, Welshpool were scheduled to take on Machynlleth in the first game of Division 3 North East, but Machynlleth have said they are unable to raise a side. The fixture secretary is working hard to secure another game. The Youths are still in action at home against Colwyn Bay (2.30pm).
On Sunday, Welshpool are hosting festivals at the Under 8s and 10s age groups, whilst the Under 12s are in Llanidloes and the Under 14s in Dolgellau.