Five-star Pool earn bragging rights

We finally saw some rugby action following a couple of weeks’ of weather frustration and it was a big day for Welshpool as they ended a 20-year winless streak against neighbours Newtown, writes Gary Williams from Oval Zone Rugby.

The eagerly awaited Mid Wales derby in Division Two North unexpectedly turned in to a one-way affair as soon as Pool’s new signing, hooker Carwyn Lee, crossed for the game’s opening score after just two minutes.

Newtown struggled to keep up with the pace of the home side who increased their lead before half time to 24-0 with further tries from Ryan Goodwin, Joe Stranks and Max Cadwallader.

The second half was much closer but it was the Maesydre men who kept the scoreboard ticking over with a Dylan Walton penalty and a Tom Davies try to give a final score of 32-0, leaving Newtown shellshocked and with plenty of work to do to get their season back on track.

Despite this confidence-boosting win, Pool will have to be at their best next Saturday when they travel to title favourites Mold.

Llanidloes put up a brave effort against unbeaten Rhyl, this game also in Division Two North, eventually coming off second best with a 41-0 defeat. The Hafren boys haven’t won since the opening game of the season but will be hoping to put this right when they entertain bottom club, Abergele, at the weekend.

COBRA were left frustrated when their Division One North game at Llangefni had to be postponed due to the bus, which crashed in the Saturday morning snow on its way to Meifod to pick up the team.

On Sunday, Caernarfon Ladies and COBRA Ladies served up a treat as they went head to head, knowing that for one of them their unbeaten run would come to an end. However, it took until the dying minutes for Caernarfon to sneak it 27-24. The home side weathered the late COBRA onslaught to win a thrilling encounter.