Newtown break Llanidloes’ run

Jan 6 2008 by Our Correspondent, Wales On Sunday

LLANIDLOES Seconds suffered their first defeat of the season in the Mid Wales League, edged out 12-10 at home to close rivals Newtown Seconds.

Touchdowns from flanker Dave Ashton and scrum-half Greg Ager carved Llanidloes a 10-5 interval lead, but they were unable to cling on to the advantage as Newtown rallied in the second period to take the spoils in a hard-fought encounter.

Flanker Gareth Jones had crossed for the visitors with an unconverted try in the first half before centre John Dingley grabbed the all-important try after the break, fellow centre Steve Rowlands converting.

The hosts pressed late on, with Newtown reduced to 14 men, but the visitors held firm, despite the onslaught, to emerge with their third win from four outings.

Title-chasing Builth Wells had no action as their encounter with scheduled rivals Aberystwyth University was called off, while Trefyclawdd were handed the points as COBRA’s second string were unable to fulfil their fixture.

Llandrindod Wells, meanwhile, continue to find it tough going in the Welsh National League division six (central) after being pipped 13-3 at Caerau Ely.

Last season’s Mid Wales League champions were always in the hunt in a hard-fought affair but, as in a number of games this season, ended up with nothing to show for all their commendable efforts. Danny Davies kicked a penalty to get Llandrindod level at 3-3 at half-time and that was how the score remained until the Cardiff hosts struck in the latter stages.

Chris Tobin, who had landed a penalty in the first half, put the hosts ahead with a drop goal before Gareth Thomas went over for the game’s only try in the closing stages.

The victory was completed when Tobin kicked the conversion to give Caerau a 10-point victory.