COBRA ensured themselves the Christmas No1 spot in division two of the North Wales League with a 37-10 derby win at home to Newtown.

COBRA exacted revenge for their opening day defeat having led from the outset in Meifod.

After a prolonged period of pressure in the Newtown half COBRA found themselves within a few metres of the Newtown line with hooker Steven Isaac feeding second row Bryn Edwards to crash over for the opening try of the afternoon.

COBRA’s front row dominated the pack and soon led to a scrum with No8 Jack Jukes crashing over for a second try.

Despite the poor conditions the home side were managing to play attractive rugby which led to an outstanding third try with Jukes releasing full back Richard Jones who switched to flanker Daniel Jones to cross with Will Worthington converting.

Newtown reduced the arrears before the break with a penalty from centre Gaz Williams who also converted an opportunist try from Tom Woodward at the start of the second-half to make further inroads,

However COBRA were galvanised and restored their 10 point advantage with a penalty from Worthington who proceeded to add a try of his own with a superb individual score.

COBRA continued to turn the screw with Lloyd Mayor and Dorian Lloyd linking to release wing Ieaun Williams with Worthington converting.

Williams crossed to complete the scoring with his second try of the day as COBRA started their Christmas celebrations early.

Meanwhile Llanidloes regained ground on the leading pack with a comfortable 26-0 win over Abergele.

Testing conditions ensured a tough start for both sides before Llanidloes led when prop Matthew Skinner stormed over for a try with Adam Price converting.

The home pack was dominant and increased their lead by the break with No8 Garry Horrigan crossing a pushover try with Price converting.

The match was switched to a second pitch following injury to a visiting player and disrupted the pattern of the game before scrum-half Ioan Jones crossed and a second try from Horrigan, converted by Price, completed a comfortable margin of victory.

Meanwhile Welshpool lost 20-13 at Nant Conwy IIs.

Elsewhere Machynlleth went top of division three with a 63-0 hammering of Benllech.

Ryan Blockley starred with a hat-trick of tries while Ifor Evans, Tomos Ifan, Sion Jones, Richard Rees, Kameron Simmonds-Sandy, Gareth Thomas, Rhys Lewis and Mike Kendall each crossed the whitewash with Simmonds-Sandy adding the extras.