WELSHPOOL’S Cambrian Training Mid Wales Cup bid ended with a 19-0 defeat at home to Aberystwyth Athletic.

Pool welcomed the Seasiders to Maesydre keen to build on the positives of their North Wales Intermediate Cup derby defeat at Newtown the previous week.

The hosts handed starts to a host of fringe players and experimented with their side with Ryan Goodwin switched to centre.

In contrast Aberystwyth Athletic arrived with a full squad and soon imposed themselves on the game and dominant in territory and possession during the first-half.

The Seasiders looked to Rob Sutton and Sam Hesden whose strong carries put Pool under pressure while scrum-half Ben Jones also impressed.

Despite being under the cosh Pool restricted Aberystwyth to a penalty try, awarded after Sutton was held back, with the score the only of the first-half.

Aberystwyth continued to dominate after the break and sealed their progress with two further tries.

Hesden broke upfield from his own half and some excellent support play and inter-passing culminated in Mathew Hughes bursting clear to score a fine team try by the posts.

Hughes added the conversion to extend the Seasiders’ lead to 14 points.

Welshpool enjoyed their best spell of the game with the hosts rallying and putting the visitors defence under pressure.

However Aberystwyth stood firm and they eventually cleared their lines to work their way back upfield.

Aberystwyth completed their victory when Hesden gathered from a scrum in the Pool half and released Ben Jones who powered through the home defence and over the whitewash.

Pool return to North Wales League Two action with the visit of Bangor on Saturday while their second string make the trip to Flint for a friendly.

Elsewhere Llanidloes entertain Rhyl while the match of the day will take place in Meifod with COBRA welcoming local rivals Newtown to Cae Cobra.

Meanwhile Machynlleth are also in action in North Wales League Three with the mid-table Cae Glas side hosting Mold IIs as the club begins making inroads into a mounting fixture backlog and maintain their promotion bid.