Gogledd Cymru Division Two
COBRA 17 Llanidloes 3
COBRA remained on the coat tails of leaders Dolgellau with a comfortable victory over bitter Mid Wales rivals Llanidloes, who continue to struggle.
The match begun with the home side making the most of the wind. They immediately placed Llanidloes under the cosh, only for the visitors to stun COBRA by taking the lead against the run of play, with a drop goal from fly-half Dan Short.
The goal only served to inspire COBRA who were jolted into life, with No8 and captain Aled Davies taking the game by the scruff of the neck to break from a 30 metre scrum and cross for a try, with Alwyn Williams converting.
COBRA soon increased their advantage when the backs showed slick hands, with full-back Gareth Smith’s perfectly timed pass opening a gap for centre Iwan Vaughan to power over the line, with Williams steering over the resulting conversion from a tight angle.
COBRA continued to press with Vaughan’s strong runs creating gaps, only for the home side to be continually let down by the final pass, while Llani’s hopes of making a dent in the lead before half-time were ended when a succession of infringements led to a player being sin-binned, which saw Williams add a penalty.
The COBRA defence was magnificent in the second-half and a stout defensive display prevented Llani from crossing the line, before COBRA coach James Watkin threw on veterans Huw Evans and Aled Roberts to ensure the door remained shut on a comeback.
Try as each team did neither could add to their first-half points tally, as strong determined home defence bested attacking intent for COBRA to collect four points in their title bid, while also ensuring local bragging rights with a league double over their rivals.
Llanidloes coach Jordan Davies said: “It was a really tight game and full credit to COBRA, particularly for their defending in the second-half.”
COBRA: B Edwards, E Jones, N Williams, R Evans, A Williams, Bright, G Evans, A Davies, A Williams, D Lloyd, Vaughan, F Roberts, R Jones, R Davies, Smith. Reps - A Roberts, H Evans, C Davies, Griffiths
LLANIDLOES: Plumridge, Jarman, T Savage, R Jones, Annwyl, Hamer, Mills, Vaughan, B Davies, Short, Owen, Jehu, J Davies, Griffiths, Price. Reps - Cameron, R Jenkins, Brittain, Pugh