Pool tune up well for season

Welshpool began their season with a 17-12 win over a committed and capable Chester Third XV in a friendly played over three periods of 30 minutes.

The signs looked ominous for the home side when Chester took the lead after only three minutes with an unconverted try, but Welshpool worked hard to dominate possession and territory. Despite being on top of the game, they found themselves falling further behind after an opportunist try for Chester to take a 12-0 lead into the first break.

However, Welshpool were eventually rewarded with a try for Ryan Goodwin, who looked sharp throughout the game, to narrow the deficit to 12-5 at the second breather. Goodwin then added his second try which was converted by Dan Earle to bring the sides level.

Tempers flared with scrum half Tom Carter and a Chester prop seeing yellow but it was the home side who struck the decisive blow when winger Paul Davies crossed in the corner.

Next up for Welshpool is a visit from Telford 1sts on Saturday.

Welshpool: Declan Price, Harry Davies, Ben Gutteridge, Remus Blower, Drew Evans, Dan Earle, Harry Roberts, Luke Godfrey, Tom Manuel, Dave Rowlands, Rhys Williams, Ryan Goodwin, Jamie Evans, Tom C Davies, Ryan Manuel, Tom Carter, Paul Davies, Joe Stranks, Toby Hodgson, Connor Thornton, Andrew Jones, Kieron Evans, Tom Davies, Tom Holloway, Dan Stanley

Tries: Ryan Goodwin (2), Paul Davies

Conversion: Dan Earle

Yellow Card: Tom Carter

Welshpool Women @ the Game On! Festival

Coach Rhys Roberts was delighted with the performance of his Welshpool side as they collected two wins from three games at the Game On! League Launch Festival.

With several experienced players unavailable, there was an opportunity to hand debuts to several new players, all of whom showed plenty of promise.

The women began their day with a 14-0 win over Llangollen, courtesy of tries from Disa Manuel and Katie Elcock, and conversions from Grace Johns and Ellie Davies.

Llangollen were up next, and were dispatched 10-5, with Lottie Morris and Lauren Davies both crossing for tries.

In their final game, they came up against a strong and experienced COBRA side, and were unable to continue their winning run, going down 24-0 from four tries and two conversions.

The Women begin their League campaign on Sunday, September 3 at home against Shotton Steel.

Welshpool: Natalie Butler, Lottie Morris, Keli Williams, Courtney Jones, Rhiannon Jones, Sian Bailey, Gemma Pryce, Freya Needham, Grace Johns (C), Rachael Ferguson, Alice Foster, Disa Manuel, Katie Elcock, Kate Williams, Ellie Davies, Lauren Davies, Terri-Ann Ratledge

Egg and Bat Festival

Welshpool Cricket and Rugby Clubs are coming together on Sunday, August 27 for a day of live music and activities.

The two clubs have shared a clubhouse at the Maesydre Recreation Grounds since 1982, and with work needed to keep the clubhouse operational and fit for purpose, the two clubs are hosting the Egg and Bat Festival to raise funds.

The event begins at 3pm at the Recreation Ground, with live music from The Kytes and The Soul Jets, as well as fun and games for all the family, before moving into town for the evening, with more music in The Talbot courtesy of The Infamous, One Crow Sorrow and Andrew Neve, and The Pheasant, where Joe Le Taxi and Ollie Jones will be performing.

Admission to all venues is free, although there will be plenty of opportunities to donate money to the joint club effort.