Newtown Rugby Club embark on the first of a trilogy of matches against local rivals Llanidloes this Saturday, meeting in the league encounter at the Recreation Ground, Newtown.
Town are able to field the same 19 man squad that narrowly lost to Abergele last Saturday, and the boys are keen to put right the small details that went awry last time out. Newtown will be desperate to get back on track and keep pace with the leading pack, whilst Llanidloes return to action after a week's enforced layoff due to a waterlogged pitch at Machynlleth.
Coach Derek Murray has indicated that there will need to be an improvement if Newtown are to overcome one of the stronger sides in the league;
“We were all bitterly disappointed with last week's result, players and coaching staff alike, and we will need to ratchet up the performance level to take the points this Saturday”.
However, he was keen to pay tribute to the effort levels of the players, “Whilst we were a bit naïve in terms of playing the blustery conditions, I cannot fault the effort that the lads put in, we just need to be a bit cuter with the top 2 inches”.
The game takes on an added dimension, as not only will both sides be keen to take the league points, but they will be sizing each other up prior to the Swalec Bowl fourth round tie at Cae Hafren next weekend, and the North Wales Intermediate Cup Quarter Final on February 12.
The match kicks off at 2:30pm.
There is no 2nd Team ‘Green Army’ action this Saturday, resuming league proceedings next weekend when the boys travel to Aberystwyth Athletic.
