Missed opportunities and tackles cost Welshpool dearly in local derby
Welshpool were left to rue unforced errors and missed tackles as they were defeated by local rivals Newtown, although the scoreline did not really reflect the performance put in by the visitors.
For much of the first half, Welshpool held a slight territorial and possessional advantage, but were unable to convert this into points in the early going, and both team's kickers missing kicks they would usually put over with ease.
However, it was Jones who drew first blood for Welshpool, scoring the first and second penalties of the game to give Welshpool a 0-6 lead with half-time approaching. Despite this lead, the home side always looked dangerous with ball in hand and from set plays, and on the stroke of half time, they crossed under the posts to take a 7-6 lead into the break.
With only a point in the match, the old cliche of 'the next score is vital' was never more true, and it was the home team who got it, as they exploited an overlap to cross in the corner. With the try going unconverted, the 12-6 scoreline was not overwhelming for Welshpool, but after a further Newtown score, they took a 19-6 lead that they were destined not to lose.
Despite being two scores behind, Welshpool's youngsters did not throw in the towel, and when Newtown fumbled a catch behind their own line, replacement Gwyn Evans seized on the opportunity for a try, with Jones gaining the conversion.
At 19-13, the game was again in the balance, but the home side were again able to unleash their excellent back line, and found yet another gap to put themselves back in the driving seat at 26-13.
A late and high challenge on Welshpool's Joe Stranks, who had an excellent game, led to Newtown being a man down for 10 minutes, but the visitors were unable to take the advantage, and Newtown worked their way down field and scored their final try, despite vocal protestations from several Welshpool players regarding the grounding, or lack thereof, of the ball.
With the conversion taking the score to 33-13, the game was now beyond Welshpool's grasp, and that was how the match finished soon after.
For Newtown, the win will keep alive their promotion hopes, though wins for both Wrexham and Rhos mean they are still going to have to make up ground to do so. For Welshpool, it means an uphill battle to secure a top four finish, especially with Menai Bridge winning 10-0 at Harlech.
There were positives for Welshpool, and these should not be ignored going forward - Ryan Griffiths made a lot of yards and several turnovers whilst standing in at scrum-half, whilst the back row that finished the game - Joe Stranks, Danny Williams and Ryan Goodwin - could be a combination that leads the club forward in the coming years. Young wingers Rhys Jones and Matt Roberts both played their parts well, putting in plenty of yards and tackles. In the front five, Ben Aldis put in another solid performance, doing his job well in the tight and making some big tackles in the midfield, and Sam Ward made plenty of yards when he came on in the second half.
With both clubs fielding young, developing sides, next season's matches between the two clubs should be excellent spectacles, assuming that both clubs are still in the division!
Welshpool: Jamie Evans, Anthony Scanlon, Ben Aldis, Gareth Gregory, Andy Rose, Fred White, Joe Stranks, Ryan Goodwin, Ryan Griffiths, Phil Saunders, Rhys Jones, Dave Jones, Andrew Thomas, Matt Roberts, Daley Jones
Replacements: Gwyn Evans, Sam Ward, Richmond Amaihe, Danny Williams
Try: Gwyn Evans
Conversion: Daley Jones
Penalties: Daley Jones (2)