Mid Wales District Rugby Union

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WRU Division Three
Builth Wells 12 v Merthyr 21

Flabbergasted Builth Wells were relegated into Division Four after a bizarre set of results went against them on Saturday.

Two of the clubs below the Wellmen at the start of play, Narberth and Llanharan, both won away, while Tredegar hammered Kenfig Hill, who were vying for promotion just over a month ago, 70-7.

Builth, who needed just one point to say up, made Merthyr work hard for their win which secured their promotion in to the second division.

A crowd of 1500 filled The Groe to see flanker Wynford Mills, replacement prop and ex-Welsh international Jeremy Pugh, score the Wellmen's tries, with full back Ian Price adding a conversion.

In what turned out to be the final seconds of the game, centre Fred Lewis chipped and chased but the ball bounced awkwardly over the try line and was unable to stop it from agonisingly going over the dead ball line.

That try would have given Builth a bonus point, a point needed for survival in the third division.

'We are very disappointed', said Club spokesman Rob Wall. 'But it was no reflection on the way the boys played.

'We couldn't believe it when we came off the pitch and found that the three teams below us had all won. We have not been in the bottom two all season.

'But we are optimistic, because we have been relegated and then promoted before so we can do it again.

'We have proved this season that we can compete with the division's top sides.'

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Manweb North Wales Cup Semi Final
Newtown 20 v Dolgellau 13

Newtown made it through to their first North Wales Cup Final but were made to work hard for the win by neighbours Dolgellau.

Both teams played in WRu Division 7b Central and have enjoyed mixed fortunes this season.

Newtown have struggled and showed a lack of consistency, while Dolgellau have looked like title contenders for most of the season.

Newtown are playing their best rugby of the season a the moment, but it was the Blues who scored first on Saturday, thanks to a fly half Alan Williams penalty.

The Reds had to wait 30 minutes before the Marian men allowed them to score through full back Huw Williams who touched down a try. He increased their lead with a penalty on the stroke of half time.

Dolgellau started the better of teh two in the second period with a penalty afer one minute.

But determined Newtown came back in to the match when they were awarded a penalty under the posts. It was taken short and it was left to wing Mark Saunders to touch down, Williams converting.

With minutes left, Newtown secured victory and a place in the final when wing Glyn Howells crossed over.

Dolgellau secured a late consolation try by prop Geraint Jones, which was converted by Williams.

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WRU National League Division 8b Central
Brecon 59 v Welshpool 12

Welshpool put up a battling first half performance but let it slip later in the game as Brecon showed their strength.

Just 7-6 down at the interval after two full back Chris Morris penalties, Pool showed their Powys rivals and promotion chasers, that the game was not going to be easy. But several quick tries and some excellent kicking after the break, gave Becon a convincing win.

Pool finished well, scoring a try through fly half Gareth Roberts and put the visitors under some late pressure.

'We played well but they ran away with it in the second half', said Welshpool spokesman and former club captain, Steve Waldron.

'We finished well this season and it has been a great improvement on last season's performances.'

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