Debutants make their mark

Welshpool gave senior debuts to a host of young players in an entertaining pre-season friendly, and became the first Welshpool side to travel to Market Drayton since 1991.

In the opening exchanges, the youngsters found themselves struggling to compete with their more experienced hosts, and were trailing 0-19 down after 20 minutes.

But Pool settled and 18-year old Kieran Goodwin crossed for a try on his senior debut, which was converted by Matt Roberts. Drayton regained their 19-point cushion with another score, but Welshpool added a second try through prop Jamie Evans to make it 26-12 at half time.

A largely scoreless third quarter followed, until both sides added another try each to their tally, with Goodwin crossing for his second, again converted by Roberts.

Drayton came out of the blocks strongly in the final quarter, scoring twice in quick succession to put the game out of reach, but Welshpool were not done, with another senior debutant, second row Cjay Ford, going over.

Drayton responded with their final try of the game, before Goodwin was narrowly denied his hat-trick after being illegally hauled down by the Drayton full-back just short of the line, resulting in a penalty try being awarded. Roberts converted, bringing the final score to 52-31.

Welshpool: Russell Powell, Ally Evans (C), Jamie Evans, Kieran Goodwin, Cjay Ford, Lee Richards, Tom Davies, Huw Williams, Matt Roberts, Harry Roberts, Rob Picken, Tom Worthy, Tom Manuel, Dave Rowlands, Owain Watkins, Harry Gannon, Barry Williams

Tries: Kieran Goodwin (2), Jamie Evans, Cjay Ford, Penalty Try

Conversions: Matt Roberts (3)