Rugby club books final berth

Newtown 2nds have booked a place in the final of the Mid Wales Cup after overcoming a tough Rhayader side 26-6.

 

Town started well, and scored a Danny ‘The Boot’ Hill penalty with their first foray into Rhayader territory, followed up by a second Hill penalty for 6-0 shortly after.

 

It fired up Rhayader whose big forwards two penalties in quick succession to level the scores. Town’s cause was not helped as they lost first, flanker Nathan Owen, and then No.8 Andy Marriot shortly after to the sin-bin. But down to 13 men, Town showed great commitment to contain their hosts and see out the half with the scores level.

 

Town were back to their full compliment within eight minutes of the game restarting, and with that came the increase in intensity that Rhayader struggled to match.

 

Andy Marriot set off on a series of charges that broke through the defence and lifted the whole side. Hill took advantage of another Rhayader infringement to regain the lead and with Town in charge, they opted to pin the hosts back with a kick to the corner. Owen claimed the ball in the lineout, and when the drive came, flanker Junior Dean peeled off down the blindside to cross in the corner.

 

A similar tactic led to Town’s second try. The forwards set up a driving maul, centre Mark Horabin joined and had his hands on the ball as they drove over for a well taken try. With the game drawing to a close, Rhayader found themselves down to 13 men and were unable to ease the pressure on their line.

 

With the last play of the match, replacement Jamie Allen and wing Owain Williams combined to set up good field position, after clearing the resulting ruck, the ball was spun quickly into midfield where prop Gareth Roberts was on hand to crash over under the posts, giving Hill an easy shot with the last kick of the match.

 

The Green Army can now look forward to a Cup Final on May 1 against either Aberystwyth Athletic or COBRA 2nds.