MONTHS of anguish turned to jubilation this week after the Welsh Rugby Union confirmed that Newtown and Welshpool Rugby Clubs have been awarded probationary status and promotion into the North Wales League.

The clubs were officially told the news in letters from the WRU this week following a sub-committee meeting last Thursday, although eager club officials had already telephones WRU representatives after their meeting to learn their fate.

Fixtures secretaries Dai Davies at Newtown and Phil Roberts in Welshpool were putting final touches to their fixture list for the North Wales League next season, which includes a staggering 22 league games as well as the North Wales Cup and revamped Schweppes Cup.

"I think it is fair to say that myself and the players are looking forward to next season," said a jubilant Newtown coach, Murray Owen on Wednesday. "The North Wales League will be hard and difficult, but the club and players will be giving it their full commitment," he commented.

"I think we would start off much the same as last season although we will be looking for a larger squad this time," he added, pointing out that in all they had around 26 league and cup fixtures to fulfil next season. Owen is already putting players through weight-training in preparation for next season and begins full training at the club on June 22.

Club Chairman Philip Jones said: "I'm delighted after all the months of uncertainty of will we or won't we. Now it has all been confirmed, the players and committee are excited about the challenge ahead." He added: "The players have really deserved this chance after the consistent performances in Mid Wales and Brewers Cup games over a number of years. Obviously it is a big disappointment to skipper Aled Jones and the rest of the team not to have been able to have won the Brewers Cup, but the North Wales Championship will provide an equally exciting challenge and their season's expectations will not be dashed on one game as was the case against Fairwater last season."

Responding to the news, Welshpool's chairman Bill Roberts said it was just the present the club had wanted on their 25th anniversary since reforming. "It is the result of 25 years hard work since the club reformed. It is obviously a major stepping stone and we are looking forward to next season, he commented.

Referring to the players he said: "I think they will do well. They have been playing and working hard in Mid Wales and will continue in the North Wales League. Had we not got WRU probationary status, we were looking at changing some of our fixtures anyway. But now they are keen and looking forward to next season," he stated.

Next season will see a changed coaching structure for Welshpool which 1st XV skipper Steve Waldron believes will benefit the club on their road to full WRU status in three years time. "We have altered the coaching structure and there is now a coaching committee with a chairman who will pass recommendations on to the coaching co-ordinator," commented Waldron.

The idea is that the committee will see where the clubs strengths and weaknesses are and then pass on their views to the players. They believe this will work better than having one person in charge of coaching.

"We are paying some attention to the youth and younger sides as well. We are trying to spot the lads early on so that there is continuity throughout the club's future," said Waldron.

Both clubs will be on a three year probation and will be closely watched by WRU officials in that time both on the pitch and off.

Newtown's first league match is against Denbigh at home on September 12, while Welshpool are also at home to Dolgellau. The following week, both teams are in the Schweppes Cup.

The clubs promotion into the league looks likely to heal the old schoolboy rivalry as well. Although competing against each other both sides have said they were united in flying the flag for Mid Wales rugby. The clubs 2nd XV teams will take their places in the Mid Wales League, although starting off in Division Two.