Welshpool Rugby Club

Men

Welshpool's 1st XV (8th, P0) will be looking to get off to a strong start when they travel to Porthmadog (9th, P1 L1) this Saturday, but will be very aware of the potential for an upset if they do not perform well.

Despite only joining the division from the Gwynedd League this season, Porthmadog only lost 31-21 at Flint (3rd, P1 W1) last weekend, so will clearly be hoping to surprise a few teams this season.

Elsewhere in the division, Rhos (7th, P0) begin their season with a bang as they host Newtown (5th, P1 L1), who will no doubt be smarting from their 11-10 home defeat against Wrexham (4th, P1 W1) last weekend.

There is another Anglesey derby, as Menai Bridge (2nd, P1 W1) look to get a second win on the board as they play Holyhead (11th, P1 L1), who were thrashed 79-0 by leaders Harlech (1st, P1 W1) in the opening round, who sit this round of fixtures out.

Both Wrexham and Flint will be looking to build on opening weekend victories, and Bangor (6th, P0) will be hoping to open their season with a victory over Benllech (10th, P1 L1).

Youth

Welshpool's Youth team begin their competitive season with a long trip to Bangor, for what is sure to be one of their toughest matches of the early season. As with most youth teams, once every three years you have a very young side, and that is the case for Welshpool this year.

In other games in the division, Bro Ffestiniog host Newtown, Caernarfon play Llanidloes, newcomers Dolgellau take on Nant Conwy, and Llandudno travel to Flint.

Women

After being the first side at the club to contest a 2012-13 league match last weekend, Welshpool's women (6th, P1 L1) also have the honour of becoming the first side of the club to play a competitive home match this season, as they take on Maesteg Celtic (4th, P1 L1) at Maesydre this Sunday.

Despite a 51-0 defeat at Penallta last weekend, there is an air of confidence around the team for this match, and it could well be the first time the girls take the field with a full complement, which shows how much the side has developed over the last 12 months.

Maesteg come to Maesydre on the back of a 25-8 defeat against Tylorstown (3rd, P1 W1) last weekend, and will no doubt be looking to be taking a win back to South Wales with them.

In the other games in Division 3, after a 32-12 defeat last weekend, Lampeter (5th, P1 L1) host Tylorstown, and 1st play 2nd, with Barry (2nd, P1 W1) hosting Penallta (1st, P1 W1).

Junior Academy

Both the Under 15s and Under 11s get their season off to a start this Sunday, as they participate in the annual Llanidloes 10s competition. They will get to play in at least 3 games throughout the day, and hopefully they will be able to bring us back a bit of silverware to start the season with a bang.

Now in their third season together, the Under 11s (coached by Ian Spencer and Chris Morris) will be adding rucking to their game this season in line with the WRU pathway, and they certainly have a few players who will enjoy that aspect of the game!

The Under 15s (coached by Peter Davies, with assistance from several ex-players) are one of our newer sides, but have masses of potential. Since forming in the early part of 2012, they have been improving with every game, with several players on the radar of the Gogledd South selectors.