The rugby season officially got underway in thrilling fashion this weekend with two finals making for a great day’s rugby at Llanidloes.
There were two finals played, with COBRA taking the Mid Wales Cup and Welshpool landing the Mid Wales Shield, both being sponsored by Cambrian Training.
In the opening final, Welshpool picked up their first silverware for some time in overcoming a dogged Builth Wells 2nds.
Man-of-the-match Ryan Goodwin’s early try was converted by Dan Earle to give Pool a half-time lead, before Earle added a penalty just after the break to extend the advantage to 10.
But a penalty and converted try brought Builth level in the final minute to set up a grandstand finish.
Pool launched one final attack and with a penalty awarded, Earle kept his nerve to slot over for a 13-10 victory.
A second thriller followed, this time it went the way of Cobra who beat the hosts 13-9.
Two Adam Price penalties gave Llanidloes the advantage before Wil Worthington’s brace brought Cobra back on level terms just after the break.
Price restored the hosts’ advantage in the final five minutes but flanker Lee Hughes managed to touch down in the dying stages, with Worthington converting, to send the large Cobra following into raptures.
It was a fantastic curtain raiser for the main league action which gets underway this weekend.
PICTURE: The victorious Welshpool side (courtesy of Gary Williams)