HONOURS ended even in the bid Montgomeryshire derby in North Wales League One as Welshpool and Llanfair Caereinion shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw.

Delyth Thomas netted for Llanfair who dominated much of the game only to be denied by Pool goalkeeper Gez Charles before Holly Fothergill struck to earn her side a deserved point.

The result ensured Pool in high spirits for this weekend’s derby at home to Newtown as Welshpool bid to pull away from the relegation zone.

Elsewhere Newtown maintained their bright start to 2019 with a hard earned 3-1 win at home to Wednesbury in the West Midland Men’s Premier League.

Town had already set the tone with a number of missed chances before Aidan O’Regan set up captain Tom Hillage to net from close range.

Wednesbury levelled before the interval and Town goalkeeper Richard Jones was called upon to make a series of vital saves to deny the visitors early in the second-half.

However Newtown weathered the storm and regained the lead with a swift break and fine strike from Rob Grasser before Andy Denham settled the outcome with a third late on.

Hillage praised his players with the result all but staving off the spectre of relegation.

“It was another great team display and I am proud of the players,” said Hillage. “We can now build on this and look ahead to bright second half of the season

This weekend sees the South Wales Women’s League return from its extended winter break.

Presteigne make the long and unenviable trip to struggling Pembroke in Premier League Two while Radnor bid to maintain their promotion bid in division one with rivals Cardiff Met IIIs visiting Llandrindod Wells in a crunch clash.

Radnor spokesperson Elin Wozencraft said: “We are looking forward to getting back to the league.

“We have had a long winter to recover from any nagging injuries and we have had some good training sessions so we go into the weekend with confidence. We have a great bunch of girls and looking forward to the trip.”

Meanwhile Hockey Wales will be running a development centre for the South Powys region every Friday from February 1.

Brecon’s Chris College will host the centre with sessions for under 13s from 7-8pm and under 17s from 7.-8.30pm.

Meanwhile Welshpool High School hosts the annual Powys Under 14s hockey tournament on Monday, February 4 while Newtown’s Maldwyn Leisure Centre will host the Powys Under 12s and 14s boys hockey event on Wednesday, March 20.