Green Army’s Final heartbreak

Newtown 2nds suffered the agony of just missing out on glory in the final of the Mid Wales Cup, losing by just two points to Aberystwyth Athletic.

 

It went right down to the final seconds as Newtown missed a tricky kick in windy conditions which would have clinched the win. Instead it was Aber who took the league and cup double with an 18-16 verdict.

 

With so much at stake, the first half was a stop start affair with neither side able to string any significant phases of play together.

 

Town took the lead through a Danny Hill penalty, which was cancelled out shortly after when Town infringed at the ruck. Town then regained a 6-3 lead when commitment at the tackle forced the penalty.

 

But Aber then scored the first try of the match shortly before half time when a missed tackle on the 22 allowed the Aber forwards to get over the advantage line. Town conceded a penalty which Aber kicked to the corner, and from the resulting lineout, a couple of forward drives saw them cross to take them into half time with a slender 8-6 lead.

 

The second half was a much more entertaining spectacle. However, it was Aber who gained the upper hand as the half progressed, keeping Town pegged back with some astute kicking from hand.

 

Town then regained the lead, again Hill making Aber pay for some indiscipline, but the lead changed hands again this time Aber the beneficiaries as Town were penalised at the breakdown.

 

Aber then looked to have scored the decisive try, as they were quicker to a clever kick through to touch down near the posts, making the conversion straightforward and giving them a nine-point advantage.

 

This could have been game over, but credit to Town, they gathered possession and forced their way into the Aber half. Some quick phases and the ball was spun into midfield where replacement centre Greg Kiely saw off the last remaining tackler to cross under the posts, and set up a thrilling climax.

 

Sensing victory, Town went back on the attack, and as the clocked ticked towards full time, were awarded a penalty. On a still day, you would have out your mortgage on Hill slotting the kick, but with the wind gusting, the difficult kick drifted wide of the posts and Aber celebrated victory.

 

Spokesman Bob Jones said: “Newtown Rugby Club and everyone associated with it should be proud of the effort put in by everyone involved in this match, as the boys showed a superb attitude and spirit throughout, something that has become synonymous with the 2nd Team ‘Green Army’ over the past couple of seasons.”

 

Newtown: G Roberts, R Evans, N Smith, D Andrew, N Farrington, G Jones, N Owen, J Dean, L Davies, D Green, T Yeomans, M Pratten, M Horobin, O Williams, D Hill. Reps: G Kelly, A Owen, K Phillips, J Blower, G Kiely, T Pelling.