Newtown edge derby thriller

Newtown edged a thrilling local derby against the old rivals Welshpool on a cracking day for local rugby on Saturday, writes Gary Williams.

In a feisty game which had all the drama that had been expected, it was visitors who snatched a much-needed 17-15 win.

It was looking good for the hosts as they built a first half lead through Ryan Goodwin’s try and a Harry Davies penalty to lead 8-0 at the interval.

But in a classic game of two halves, Newtown gained the ascendancy at the set pieces in the second period and in a 10-minute purple patch mid-way through the half, they amassed 17 points with three tries and a conversion.

Despite the setback, Pool fought back and were rewarded with a converted try by prop Keiran Done to reduce the arrears to 15-17 with just a couple of minutes to go.

Roared on by the large crowd, Pool tried to get close enough to the visitors’ line for a winning score, but Newtown snuffed out attack after attack in the dying seconds and were relieved to kick the ball out when the referee indicated time was up and gain a fine derby win.

It means one win each in the league from their two clashes, both by just two points showing that there is very little between the two sides.

In Division One North, it was equally tense as COBRA beat Bala, 23-19. Having built up a comfortable lead, prop Hywel Jones was yellow carded for the last 10 minutes of the game, meaning his side had to defend for their lives and run the clock down as Bala got back to within one score. Fortunately, some heroic last ditch defending allowed the hosts to cling on for a welcome victory.

On Sunday, COBRA Ladies enjoyed an excellent 39-21 win in the WRU Women's Premiership against Caernarfon, with Libby Jones (pictured) scoring five tries in the process.