Welshpool stung by COBRA onslaught

Seventy-one second half points from an incredible 40 minutes of rugby ensured COBRA overwhelmed Welshpool for the season opener in Division Two North.

 

Four tries for Alun Jones (who also spent time in the sin bin) and a hat-trick from scrum half Iwan Vaughan saw COBRA home in style with no less than 11 second half tries.

 

Welshpool did well for the opening half. Staying in touch at the turn by trailing by just three points (17-14) and starting the second period with the extra man advantage. But it went horribly wrong.

 

COBRA took advantage of the perfect playing conditions with an expansive game; keeping the ball in hand to demonstrate excellent handling, pace and fitness.

 

Welshpool got off to a dream start with winger Hywel Lloyd hacking through to score and despite three well worked tries from centre, Andrew Pryce, prop, Hywel Jones and No.8, Alun Jones, COBRA allowed Welshpool back in with three reckless penalties that were converted by Daley Jones.

 

But COBRA dominated the second half. Still down to 14 men, they scored immediately with fullback Sion Wyn Williams rounding off a fluid handling move. On return from the sin bin Alun Jones scored a hat-trick to take his tally to four as Welshpool found it increasingly difficult to deal with the pace and physicality of COBRA.

 

Scrum half Vaughan scored his hat-trick and winger Matthew Jones grabbed a brace. Hooker Endaf Jones and second row Rhodri Evans scored a try apiece to complete the try scoring. Nine of the tries were converted, outside half Geraint Williams kicked five and winger Rhodri Davies four.

 

“The second half performance is the rugby we aspire to play and was great to see,” said James Watkin. “However, we seriously under performed in the first half. To progress in this league we must aim to be more consistent for the full 80 minutes and play our rugby under greater pressure from better opposition.”

 

Welshpool will look to pick up the pieces and despite the second half mauling, the coaching team saw some signs to be optimistic about.

 

“Not an ideal start, but we have got to pick ourselves up and keep working hard and improving,” said assistant coach Dai Roberts.