CLUB NEWS 11-12

                                                                                 LATEST NEWS
Week Ending 24th Feb.
DENBIGH v WREXHAM 
Wrexham had 16 players for this away game with Denbigh but these were mainly forwards. This meant that the back line made up of three forwards. This is starting to give some strength to the forwards ongoing  comments that they are the main try scorers and don’t really need the backs!  
The game proved tough, with forwards playing as backs and other players out of position. but ended with a 24-24 all draw with Wrexham scoring a converted try in the final minute of the game.  
The game proved quite scrappy with handling errors by both sides. Denbigh could not field a front row so it was uncontested scrums from the start. Although Wrexham dominated in the line outs they were unable to capitalise on this with a number of mauls being collapsed to Wrexham’s disadvantage. A yellow card for a controversial tackle during the first half saw Wrexham being on the wrong side of the referees whistle. This allowed Denbigh to take advantage of the Wrexham squads “inexperienced” backline and the strong wind.  
At half time Wrexham were losing 17-0.
Second half saw Wrexham utilise their forwards power and they started to dominate the Denbigh pack running in four tries with two conversions. Three Wrexham tries were scored before Denbigh were able to fight back with a converted try in the last five minutes. However,  Wrexham’s continuing determination was rewarded by a try in the final minute of the match which was converted by James Price. Try scorers were Ryan Rogers (3), Jack Morris (8), Adam Coates (6) converted by James Price and Ryan Jones (1)

Week Ending 27th Jan.
PREVIEW FOR SATURDAY 11^TH FEBRUARY 2012
NEWTOWN V WREXHAM 1STS
Provided that the current frozen ground conditions improve in time, Wrexham will travel to Newtown for a Division Two contest between the two bottom sides (k.o.2.30pm). The visitors will be led by flanker Pete Blakemore who will have the opportunity to try out an encouraging new half-back partnership between John Gormley and Leighton Cox, who has moved to scrum-half from his regular full-back position. Elsewhere, Adam Jones continues to impress on the wing and prop David Gard is expected to be available to strengthen the Wrexham front-row.  Wrexham lost at home to Newtown by 10-41 last October, but that proved to be Newtown’s sole victory so far this season,  and both clubs now face either relegation or an end of season play-off against a top Division three side.  The visitors have been boosted by the influx of several new players since the start of the New Year but are still looking for their first win of the season.       

Week Ending 27th Jan.
WREXHAM v BRO FFESTINIOG
Wrexham hosted Bro Ffestiniog in a North Wales Cup preliminary on Saturday. Bro Ffestiniog brought 14 men to Wrexham and with Wrexham able to field 23 players there was competition for places so Ryan Rogers one of Wrexham’s forwards sportingly volunteered to play for the visitors who were missing back row players and had no front row support. From the start Wrexham dominated the game with prop Szymon Galarowicz scoring Wrexham’s first try after 4 minutes in the right hand corner. This went unconverted to open the score board with 5 points. Wrexham’s forwards were dominating the game and next over the line after 10 minutes was Adam  Coates, blind side flanker, who was supporting Edward Edwards (13) and took the off load to score just right of the posts. James Price (10) followed up with a neat conversion to give Wrexham 12 points. Wrexham’s forwards took advantage of weaknesses in the Bro defence and Jack Morris(8) ploughed across the line after 13 minutes a few metres in from the left hand corner post. This try went unconverted from an awkward angle. 7 minutes later and it was again Jack Morris who took advantage of Wrexham winning a scrum on Bros’ 5m line, coming off the back of the scrum he went on to score next to the posts giving Wrexham 22-0 advantage after 20 minutes. The ball skimmed the posts on the conversion attempt, which with retrospect appears to have been a tactical decision since Wrexham seemed to be running the game. After 25 minutes a neat piece of play down the right wing saw flanker Adam Coates taking a slick off load from winger Jonathan  Davies (14) just as he was being tackled into touch. Adam went on to score in the 5 m channel. This try also went narrowly unconverted. Just 3 minutes later, after the kick off the ball came out of a ruck and into the possession of Wrexham’s 4 Nathan Baker who stretched his legs and managed to run 60m to score under Bro’s posts beating Bro’s wingers and full back to the line. This too went unconverted giving Wrexham 32-0 after 28 minutes. Again following kick off Wrexham seized possession and with the forwards supporting the backs and Jack Morris (8) crossed the line for his third try midway between corner and the posts. The try again went unconverted. Full back Nathan Jones was next to place his name on the score board rewarding the backs for their ball handling and breaking through to score just left of the posts. The try again went unconverted as Wrexham tried to keep the game running on. Less than a minute later and James Price ran in another unconverted try to give Wrexham 47-0 advantage at half time.  The 50 point differential was ominously close and within a minute of the start of the second half Wrexham’s second row substitute “Big” Ryan Jones closed the game down on his return to the squad following an injury. His run proved to much for Bro to stop and he scored 10m right of the posts James Price converting the try to give Wrexham 54-0 and a brief second half with an early conclusion by the referees whistle due to the 50 point differential being exceeded. Wrexham’s forwards had scored 8 tries and the backs 2.

Week Ending 27th Dec.
WREXHAM RUGBY REPORTS FOR SATURDAY 21^ST JANUARY 2012
DOLGELLAU           71        WREXHAM   5
Wrexham slumped to a 5-71 defeat at Division Two leaders Dolgellau, but at least they managed to register their first score of the year and also showed some improvement in the early stages of the match. The visitors competed well against a strong Dolgellau side on their home ground and, although the league leaders hot top form quickly to establish a 15-0 lead, Wrexham came roaring back with an unconverted try to get themselves back in the game.That try came from prop Nick Perrin who was appearing in his 123^rd senior game and crashed over from a rolling maul that had started at a line-out. The conversion failed and, although the visitors tried to secure another score, Dolgellau possessed too much class overall and pulled away with a hatful of tries in the final quarter. New second-row Mike Mawyer had an outstanding debut when he came on as a replacement in the first-half and looks set to make his mark in forthcoming matches.    

WREXHAM YOUTH           13        LLANGEFNI YOUTH          24

Week Ending 20th Dec.
WREXHAM RUGBY PREVIEW FOR SATURDAY 21^ST JANUARY 2012
DOLGELLAU V WREXHAM
Wrexham, still without a win this season, travel to Dolgellau for a North Wales Division Two contest with the firm resolve of maintaining the improvement in their play that they produced at Llanidloes last week (kick-off at 2.30pm). Dolgellau are always a difficult side to beat on their own ground and they are currently locked in a top of the table battle with Cobra to win promotion to Division One. They defeated Wrexham by 27-0 in a floodlit league game at Bryn Estyn Road last November and will be going all-out to claim maximum points again tomorrow. Leighton Cox’s fine performance in an unaccustomed role at scrum-half last week has plugged a major gap that has existed for some time. His new combination with outside-half John Gormley could give his side the momentum that they need to breach their opponents’ defensive line and put an end to their current scoring drought.    

WREXHAM YOUTH V LLANGEFNI YOUTH
Wrexham Youth Team take on Llangefni at Bryn Estyn Road in a North Wales Youth Division One game (k.o.2.30pm).  The clubs met at Llangefni only a fortnight ago and played out a thrilling match, with two fine local players having been loaned to the visitors, that ended with the home side winning by 37-13. This time, Wrexham should be at full strength as they aim to avenge their previous defeat.

WREXHAM VETS V NEWCASTLE UNDER LYME VETS
Wrexham Veterans will play their first game of 2012 when they take on Newcastle Under Lyme Vets at Bryn Estyn Road (kick-off at 2.30pm).  


WREXHAM RUGBY REPORTS FOR SATURDAY 14^TH JANUARY 2012
LLANIDLOES          50        WREXHAM 1STS     0
Skipper Pete Blakemore took a much changed side, with some new faces in it, to Llanidloes and felt that there was a hint of “green shoots of recovery” in their performance, despite slipping to a 0-50 defeat. The star performer on the day was Leighton Cox who switched from full-back to scrum-half and played a ‘blinder’ in his new role. With prop David Gard out through injury and hooker Nick Perrin unavailable, Wrexham fielded a new look pack with Brendan O’Malley and Matt Lewis propping and Danny Wolfenden at hooker.While the visitors took time to settle, Llanidloes started well and scored 35 points by half-time. Wrexham improved after the break and, despite two sin binnings that left them with only 13 players at one stage, they finished strongly but without being able to create a score. Next up will be a visit to Dolgellau where they will be aiming to confirm their recent improvement.

COLWYN BAY YOUTH     23        WREXHAM YOUTH           0
Wrexham Youth, bolstered by the return on several players from long term injury, competed well for much of a double-header league and cup game at Colwyn Bay, but were rocked by a couple of breakaway tries from the home side and slipped to an eventual 23-0 defeat. They started well and were unlucky when James Price’s penalty kick in the 2^nd minute flew wide. They continued to press but had to re-organise after an ugly incident when a punch, unseen by the referee, resulted in the visitors’ scrum-half having to go to hospital for treatment to an eye injury. Colwyn Bay took the lead with a penalty to lead by 3-0 at the break and then increased it with a breakaway try that was converted in the 43^rd minute. Wrexham came back with a fine performance by the whole against determined opponents but they couldn’t quite gain the upper hand. The home side sealed it in the final quarter with two unconverted tries and a penalty and will now progress into the second round of the North Wales Youth Cup. Despite their defeat, Wrexham left with the consolation of having performed well, and with high hopes of avenging a recent defeat by Llangefni when they visit Bryn Estyn Road next Saturday.      

Week Ending 13th Jan.
WREXHAM RUGBY PREVIEW FOR SATURDAY 14^TH JANUARY 2012
LLANIDLOES V WREXHAM 1STS
Wrexham Firsts include a couple of newly joined players for their visit to mid Wales where they will take on Llanidloes in a Division Two contest (kick-off at 2.30pm). Centre Matt Goodall and wing Peter Dickinson will strengthen the threequarter line and provide coach Rob Thomas with some new attacking options. Regular prop David Gard will undergo a late fitness test but is expected to join the improving Danny Wolfenden and Nick Perrin in a powerful visiting front-row. Wrexham suffered a close 13-15 home defeat when Llanidloes played them at Bryn Estyn Road last October, and they will have to pull out all the stops tomorrow to defeat the strong mid Wales outfit on their own ground.  Having failed to score a single point in their last three matches, Wrexham’s priority will be to create an early score that will give them the confidence that they sorely need.

COLWYN BAY YOUTH V WREXHAM YOUTH
Wrexham Youth travel to Colwyn Bay for a North Wales League and Cup ‘double header’ game against the Seasiders.  They suffered a 12-26 defeat at home to Colwyn Bay when the two sides met last October, but their recent form and the extra incentive to progress further in the cup competition suggest that they may turn the tables this time (k.o.2.30pm).

Week Ending 17th Dec.
WREXHAM RUGBY REPORTS FOR SATURDAY 10^TH DECEMBER 2011 
RHYL YOUTH          22        WREXHAM YOUTH           24   
Wrexham had just 14 men to start what turned out to be a boisterous return game with Rhyl. The home team were aggressive from the start getting a 1st half red card for punching and a second half yellow card for continuous penalty infringements. Wrexham were first to score with Adam Coates pushing for Rhyl’s line and then setting the ball for Shaun Ferrari to take it over. This try went unconverted giving Wrexham the first 5 points.
Rhyl were quick to respond and found a weakness in Wrexham’s defences by kicking over the top of the Wrexham players and breaking through the back line of defence eventually scoring three unconverted tries. This gave Rhyl 15 points and Wrexham 5 at half time.  Second half saw one of Wrexham newest players Nathan Baker score his debut try with a direction switching run through Rhyl’s lines to touch down under the posts. This was converted by James Price. A run by Wrexham’s Tom Robinson demonstrated how to hand off the opposition ending with a try being scored in the corner.
The game continued with Wrexham’s James Price running in a further try which he successfully converted. With three minutes of play left Rhyl managed another try and converted it quickly out of hand now being just 2 points behind Wrexham’s 24 points with the clock ticking.
The final kick off saw Wrexham's own player catching the ball to snatch possession from Rhyl. The last few minutes were aggressively played by Rhyl but Wrexham held their composure and kept Rhyl at bay with their defensive skills.

Week Ending 25th Nov.
WREXHAM RUGBY PREVIEW FOR SATURDAY 26^TH NOVEMBER 2011  
WREXHAM V DENBIGH 
Lock Joss Stott makes his 50^th senior appearance for Wrexham when they take on Denbigh in a North Wales Division Two contest at Bryn Estyn Road (kick-off at 2.30pm).  
 Stott, whose father Nick has been a stalwart of Wrexham Rugby Club for many years, was an outstanding Youth Team player and made his debut at prop in a convincing victory over Welshpool in 2009. He has been an important member of a strong Wrexham pack since then and will be keen to make an impression against Denbigh tomorrow.  
Injuries and unavailability forced coach Rob Thomas to send a patched-up side to Abergele last Saturday, but he should be able to field a much stronger side this time with Owain Turner likely to return to the threequarters.
With the Youth Team being rested this week, there should also be an opportunity for centre Nathan Jones to make a welcome return to senior duty.  Denbigh have struggled to make headway in Division Two this term, winning only four of their 10 games, but last week’s win at high flying Rhyl was a very important one for them.
They will visit Bryn Estyn Road full of confidence of moving further up the table, but they will meet a Wrexham side that has promised much, but without success, in recent games and can at last fulfil that promise.     

WREXHAM RUGBY REPORT FOR SATURDAY 19^TH NOVEMBER 2011  
ABERGELE   29        WREXHAM   0 
Wrexham tried their best but still slumped to their 12^th successive defeat of the season when they were whitewashed by 29-0 in their Division Two match at Abergele. Beset by injuries, particularly in their backline, Wrexham were forced to field a makeshift team and soon went behind when a forward strayed offside and Abergele kicked a penalty. Despite some good work by flankers James Lichfield and Phil Williams that put the home side under pressure and resulted in opponents being yellow carded, Wrexham couldn’t capitalise.  The loss of their main tackling centre, Pete Blakemore, with a hand injury exposed Wrexham’s defence and presented the Seasiders with scores that enabled them to lead by 19-0 at the break. However, the visitors looked a far better side in the second-half with their pack pushing the home eight around the field, forcing Abergele into a stream of errors.  Veteran outside-half Ross Roberts used his excellent kicking skills to pin down the Seasiders and replacement lock Ian Sanger led by example as the game entered the final quarter. Despite their dominance, however, they couldn’t create any openings and Abergele were able to seal their victory with two late scores.  Coach Rob Thomas said afterwards, “Despite the fact that we have had to cope with so many injuries we showed Abergele what we could do, but we just lacked the application and concentration to turn it into points.”          

Week Ending 18th Nov.
WREXHAM RUGBY PREVIEW FOR SATURDAY 19^TH NOVEMBER 2011  
ABERGELE V WREXHAM 1STS 
Wrexham visit Abergele for a Division Two game but have had to delay full selection until this evening due to injury problems and non-availability of players in key positions (k.o.2.30pm). 
Centre Ben Cheesbrough, who has been playing exceptionally well throughout this season, is sidelined with a rib injury while Dave Gard, the cornerstone of a very competitive Wrexham pack, is not available to play this weekend. Outside-half Mike Powell, the team’s leading points scorer, will have to undergo a late fitness test due to a recent injury.  However, new player James Salisbury, who gave a Man of the Match performance on his debut last week, should provide lots of attacking options from his position on the wing. Lock Alan Humphreys is expected to recover from the hamstring injury that prevented him playing last Saturday, and top try scorer Keir Harding may make a welcome return to the back-row.  
Abergele won the corresponding fixture at Wrexham by 24-17 in September but have been struggling to find form recently, losing by 0-41 at Dolgellau last week. Although Wrexham also lost their game at Machynlleth by 5-29, they played with a spirit and skill that suggested they might overcome Abergele if they can maintain their recent progress.            

WREXHAM YOUTH V RUTHIN YOUTH 
Wrexham Youth, who pulled off a notable 12-12 draw at Pwllheli after a long journey last week, face the North Wales Youth Division One champions Ruthin at Bryn Estyn Road tomorrow (k.o.2.30pm). .  

MOLD 2NDS V WREXHAM 2NDS 
Wrexham Seconds travel to Mold Seconds for a Clwyd League match still looking for their first win of the season (k.o.2.30pm).

WREXHAM RUGBY REPORTS FOR SATURDAY 12^TH NOVEMBER 2011 MACHYNLLETH     29        WREXHAM 1STS     5 
Wrexham delivered another improved performance in their Division Two match at Machynlleth, but mistakes cost them dear and resulted in them falling to a 5-29 defeat.  In very muddy conditions, Wrexham started well despite the loss of lock Alan Humphreys due to a hamstring injury in the warm-up. Joss Stott responded to the challenge in the second-row and helped to give his pack the momentum that enabled them to dominate the game for the opening quarter.  
Although under pressure, Machynlleth managed to fashion a breakaway try when they capitalised on a mistake by the visitors. That provided them with a boost of confidence and they increased their lead to 12-0 at the break with a try that was converted. 
Wrexham, dominating the line-outs through Stott and lock Phil Williams, piled on the pressure at the start of the second-half and forced their way back into the game with an opportunist try by their leading try scorer Jack Ratcliffe. The centre intercepted a passing movement by the home side on the half-way line and sprinted downfield to score wide-out.  
The outstanding performance of new winger James Salisbury strengthened Wrexham’s resolve and brought out some good performances throughout the team. The home side, however, coped with their boggy pitch much better than the visitors in the final quarter and were able to create several scores that put the game beyond Wrexham’s grasp.  
In the final analysis, Machynlleth counted themselves lucky to have won the game after being under severe pressure for much of the time, while Wrexham returned home with a feeling that they are gradually turning the corner and that they can still escape from relegation to Division Three.        

PWLLHELI YOUTH            12        WREXHAM YOUTH           12 
Wrexham Youth led by 12-7 into the final minute of their Division One game at Pwllheli, but they had to settle for a creditable 12-12 draw when the home side conjured up an unconverted try in the dying seconds.. Pwllheli were first to score a try and convert, but Wrexham came back with a try by wing Russell Jones. The visitors went ahead in the second-half when forward George Stanyard grabbed a superb try and outside-half James Price added the conversion. It was then all hands to the pumps as Pwllheli mounted a concerted effort to salvage the game and, although a defiant Wrexham side repelled 3 good efforts to breach their line, the home side levelled the scores with their final thrust.  Wrexham were well served by their newest recruit, Nathan Baker, who excelled himself in his first full game for the youth squad.  

WREXHAM 2NDS   22        RHYL 2NDS  26  
Rhyl Seconds emerged as 26-22 winners of a hotly contested Clwyd League game at Wrexham Seconds. The home side dominated the tight forward exchanges and built up a clear lead with a brace of tries from number eight Keir Harding, another touchdown from prop Rob Thatcher and two conversions and a penalty by centre Ross Roberts. The game turned in Rhyl’s favour when they opted for uncontested scrums and clawed their way back to score the winning try with only three minutes of the game remaining.

Week Ending 11th Nov.
MACHYNLLETH V WREXHAM 
This Saturday Wrexham visit Machynlleth for a Division Two match that they could win if they maintain they improvement that they showed on Wednesday against a much better Dolgellau side. Machynlleth currently occupy a fourth from bottom place and have a much worse defensive record then Wrexham, although their home record is good (k.o.2.30pm).    With skipper Guy Bingham still not fit to return to the front-row, and prop Dave Gard facing a late fitness after his knee injury, Wrexham could struggle up front. They will, however, be boosted in the backs by the return of winger Ashley Ellis and the excellent form of outside-half Ben Cheesbrough.

PWLLHELI YOUTH V WREXHAM YOUTH  
Wrexham Youth Team will make the long journey to Pwllheli for a North Wales Youth Division One game that they need to win to make up for several recent close defeats (k.o.2.30pm).  

WREXHAM 2NDS V RHYL 2NDS 
Wrexham Seconds aim to resume their Clwyd League programme with a home game against Rhyl Seconds (k.o.2.30pm)  

WREXHAM RUGBY REPORT FOR WEDNESDAY 9^TH NOVEMBER 2011  
WREXHAM   0          DOLGELLAU           27 
Promotion chasing Dolgellau moved up to second place in the North Wales Division Two Championship with a 27-0 victory at Wrexham under floodlights, but they were made to work hard for their success by a much improved and determined home side. The return of key players like prop David Gard and full-back Leighton Cox, together with the inclusion of good young players like Nathan Jones and Owain Turner in the centre, made a big difference to a hard pressed home side.
Wrexham edged the scrums and competed well in all other areas with outside-half Ben Cheesbrough and flanker Gareth Owen tackling superbly. Dolgellau, fielding a fine well-balanced team, did most of the pressing and broke the deadlock in the 24^th minute with an unconverted try by flanker Berwyn Hughes. Then they established a 15-0 lead by half-time with a try by number eight Dewi Thomas and a conversion by full-back Tom Roberts, but they found it difficult to make any further progress until Wrexham slowed when David Gard had to depart with a knee injury. Berwyn Hughes claimed his second-try of the game, converted by Tom Roberts, mid-way through the second-half, although Wrexham continued to battle away with Cheesbrough, Owen and Turner still leading the way in defence. It wasn’t until one minute before the end of normal time that scrum-half Gethin Thomas broke through at pace to score the bonus point try that secured second place in the table for a jubilant Dolgellau.


Week Ending 4th Nov.
WREXHAM RUGBY REPORTS FOR SATURDAY 5^TH NOVEMBER 2011  
WREXHAM 1STS              5              LLANGOLLEN    42 
Wrexham’s woes continued as they were knocked out of the Swalec Bowl competition by visitors Llangollen for whom winger Josh Wilson made a big difference as he notched four tries in a 42-5 victory.  Llangollen included five former Wrexham veterans in their side and their experience soon told as they put pressure on the home scrum and worked the ball out to the wings where Wrexham are particularly vulnerable. .... more
 
WREXHAM YOUTH         14           DENBIGH YOUTH            28 
Wrexham Youth appeared to heading for a home victory over Denbigh Youth when they led deservedly by 14-7 at the break in their Division One contest, but the visitors rallied in the second-half to win by 28-14.  Wrexham’s scores came from tries by lock Ryan Jones and number eight Jamie Weston with a brace of conversions from outside-half James Price. There were outstanding performances from full-back Russell Jones, who was assured in defence and attack, and centre Nathan Jones, who tackled well and was a key link in the running of the Wrexham threequarter line.   

WREXHAM RUGBY PREVIEW FOR SATURDAY 5^TH NOVEMBER 2011 WREXHAM V LLANGOLLEN 
Wrexham outside-half Ben Cheesbrough will make his 75^th senior appearance for his club when he runs out against visitors Llangollen in a Swalec Bowl first round game tomorrow. Cheesbrough made his debut in a victory over Newtown eight years ago and, although he missed all of last season due to injury, is a key member of this year’s squad  (k.o.2.30pm).  Llangollen are currently lying in 5^th place in North Wales Division Three and are expected to include former Wrexham captains Mike Jones and John Roberts in their side as well as former outside-half Roger Chadwick. They will be keen to impress at Bryn Estyn Road where Wrexham haven’t won a game this season and are rooted at the bottom of Division Two. Despite the fact that they lost at home to high flying Rhyl by 20-29 last week, Wrexham’s much improved performance against the Seasiders will have boosted their hopes that their first win is imminent.  

WREXHAM YOUTH V DENBIGH YOUTH 
Wrexham Youth entertain Denbigh Youth in a North Wales Youth Division One game at Bryn Estyn Road with high hopes of recording their second victory of the season. They completed a double of league victories over their opponents last season but games have always been close between the clubs (k.o.2.30pm).  

WREXHAM RUGBY REPORT FOR SATURDAY 29^TH OCTOBER 2011 WREXHAM   20        RHYL 29 
High flying Rhyl came to Wrexham fully intent on blitzing the Division Two bottom club, but they found themselves with a real match on their hands and had to work hard for their 29-20 bonus point victory. It seemed too easy for the visitors when they scored in the first minute with an unconverted try by winger Jack Hughes from a well-executed passing movement. They soon probed again, but this time Wrexham responded with a determination to hold Rhyl and get back on terms, flanker Pete Blakemore and outside-half Ben Cheesbrough inspiring their side with resolute tackling..... more       

Week Ending 28th Oct.
WREXHAM RUGBY RESULT FOR SATURDAY 22^ND OCTOBER 2011  
WREXHAM 1STS     10        NEWTOWN   41  
Wrexham slumped to the bottom of the table with a comprehensive 41-10 defeat at Bryn Estyn Road by visitors Newtown who were overjoyed to win their first game of the season with a winning bonus point to add to their jubilation.  With half of their team missing on a Veterans tour of Thailand, Wrexham pressed a number of lower team players into service and they gave a good account of themselves for the first 20 minutes. The home side even took the lead in the 9^th minute when outside-half Sion Lloyd-Jones kicked an angled penalty following heavy pressure on Newtown in their 22..... more      

COBRA YOUTH       20        WREXHAM YOUTH           3 
Wrexham Youth suffered their third defeat in four North Wales Youth Division One games when they travelled to mid Wales and lost out to Cobra by 20-3. All of the points were scored in a hectic first-half, Cobra taking the lead with a converted try before the visitors replied with a penalty by outside-half James Price.  
The home side went further ahead with another converted try and two penalties before Wrexham finally settled and started to play some attractive attacking rugby. In the second-half, Wrexham pressed so hard that Cobra had two players sent to the sin-bin, one after the other, for indiscretions, but the visitors still couldn’t find a way through the home defence and Cobra held on to run out clear winners at the end.     

Week Ending 21st Oct.
WREXHAM RUGBY PREVIEW FOR SATURDAY 22^ND OCTOBER 2011  
WREXHAM 1STS V NEWTOWN 
Wrexham Firsts take on Newtown at Bryn Estyn Road in a contest that they must win to ensure that they don’t drop to the bottom of the North Wales Division Two table (kick-off at 2.30pm). That bottom place is currently occupied by tomorrow’s visitors who, like Wrexham, have failed to win a game this season. Wrexham are in second from bottom place in the Championship because they have managed to secure 3 losing bonus points from narrow defeats, while Newtown have 1 point from last weeks 17-20 home defeat by Llanidloes. Wrexham’s problems are amplified by the absence of their skipper Guy Bingham and a handful of First XV regulars who are currently visiting Thailand and Laos on a Veterans Rugby Tour.  With the Youth Team also in action tomorrow, coach Rob Thomas will have to rely on his remaining players and a number of dedicated lower team players to make up a competitive side.  Newtown completed a double of victories over Wrexham last season but both results were close and Newtown have since struggled to find the form that enabled them to finish last season in a secure mid table position. If Wrexham can defeat tomorrow’s visitors with a good performance it will be a morale booster for the home game against Rhyl next week. 
      
COBRA YOUTH V WREXHAM YOUTH 
Wrexham Youth, having had three weeks off for players to recover from a recent spate injuries, visit Cobra in much better shape for a North Wales Youth Division One Championship contest.  Honours were shared between the clubs last season when Wrexham triumphed in their home game by 10-5 only to fall to a narrow 15-19 defeat at Cobra’s ground in mid Wales. Tomorrow’s contest should again be close but Wrexham need a victory after only one success from three league matches (k.o.2.30pm).     

Week Ending 14th Oct.
WREXHAM RUGBY PREVIEW FOR SATURDAY 15^TH OCTOBER 2011  
DOLGELLAU V WREXHAM 1STS  
Wrexham Firsts, reduced in strength by the non availability of a number of their senior players who are departing on a Veterans tour to Thailand and Laos, will take a makeshift side to Dolgellau for their North Wales Division Two contest (k.o.2.30pm). Dolgellau enjoyed an emphatic 32-8 win at Llandrindod last Saturday in the Swalec Bowl competition and are leading contenders in this season’s Division Two Championship, holding 3^rd place at the moment.  
Wrexham have endured a luckless season so far and are still looking for their first victory, although they have come close on a couple of occasions. Wing Jack Ratcliffe and scrum-half Owain Turner will be the key players to turn possession into points, but they will miss the secure tackling skills of flanker Pete Blakemore and centre Ben Cheesbrough who are away on tour.           

VETERANS TOUR OF THAILAND 
A 30 strong party of Wrexham Veteran XV players and supporters will set off on Saturday on a 12 day tour of Thailand and Laos. It is understood that they will be the first Welsh team to tour Laos where they will play an invitation select side from the Laos Rugby Union Federation followed by a 10’s tournament for the younger and fitter members of the party. 

WREXHAM RUGBY REPORT FOR SATURDAY 8^TH OCTOBER 2011   
RHOS 38        WREXHAM   0 
Wrexham were knocked out of the North Wales Intermediate Cup competition by their local rivals Rhos who made it into the next round with a competent 38-0 victory.  Recent injuries, with skipper Guy Bingham being notable amongst the casualties, had forced the visitors to field an entirely new front-row, but there was still little to choose between the sides in an entertaining first-half that Rhos edged by 10-0.  
Lock Richard Platt delivered a very mature performance in the second-row of the Wrexham pack while flanker Peter Blakemore tackled superbly and turned over Rhos possession on a number of occasions. Unable to make headway, however, the visitors fell off the pace in the final quarter and allowed Rhos to finish in style with a flourish of late scores.      

LLANGEFNI YOUTH V WREXHAM YOUTH 
Wrexham Youth’s visit to Llangefni was postponed due to a spate of recent injuries that had severely depleted Wrexham’s developing young side. The game will be played at a future date to be agreed between the clubs.

Week Ending 7th Oct.
WREXHAM RUGBY PREVIEW FOR SATURDAY 8^TH OCTOBER 2011  
RHOS V WREXHAM 1STS 
Wrexham Firsts travel the short distance to Rhos to take on their local rivals in the first round of the North Wales Intermediate Cup competition (kick-off at 2.30pm). 
Scrum-half Owain Turner, who had to withdraw from last week’s home game against Llanidloes when he sustained an ankle injury in the warm-up, has now recovered and will return to partner outside-half Mike Powell in the backs. Skipper Guy Bingham is out through injury but lock Phil Williams is expected to return to provide extra power in the second-row of the pack.
Wrexham won by 24-14 when they last visited Rhos two years ago, but they have failed to win a single game in North Wales Division Two so far this season. Rhos, on the other hand, are flying high in Division Three with a string of victories to their credit and it will be interesting to how the sides perform tomorrow in the unshackled atmosphere of cup competition.
 
LLANGEFNI YOUTH V WREXHAM YOUTH
Wrexham Youth visit Llangefni with high hopes of returning to winning form following two successive defeats in North Wales Youth Division One. They completed a notable double over the Anglesey side last term but know that they will have to defend better than last week if they are to succeed tomorrow (k.o.2.30pm).

WREXHAM RUGBY RESULTS FOR SATURDAY 1^ST OCTOBER 2011  
WREXHAM 1STS     13        LLANIDLOES          15 
An injury time try and a crucial conversion by visitors Llanidloes stole victory from Wrexham’s grasp as they went down by 13-15 in a keenly contested North Wales Division Two game at Bryn Estyn Road.  There were problems before the start for coach Rob Thomas and skipper Guy Bingham when centre Josh Francis had to cry-off and scrum-half Owain Turner injured his ankle in the warm-up. .... more
  
WREXHAM YOUTH           12        COLWYN BAY YOUTH     26 
Wrexham Youth suffered a surprise 12-26 home defeat at the hands of visitors Colwyn Bay having led by 12-0 in the early stages. Number eight Jack Morris drove off a ruck to claim his side’s first try, and outside-half James Price added a conversion, before lock Adam Coates charged down an attempted clearance to pick up Wrexham’s second try.  Gaps, however, started to appear in the home defence and the Seasiders countered with two converted tries to lead by 14-12 at the break.
Despite a big effort from James Price and the home side in the second-half, Colwyn Bay added two more tries and a conversion to put the issue beyond doubt.      

RUTHIN 2NDS         76        WREXHAM 2NDS   10 
Starting with one player short, Wrexham then lost wing Mark Gasson with a shoulder injury before finishing 10-76 losers at Ruthin Seconds in a Clwyd League match. Despite their problems, Wrexham played their hearts out and even held the crack Ruthin side by 10-10 at one stage.
Outside-half Dave Thomas scored all of the points for the visitors including a 40 metre penalty and a try and conversion set up by lock Tim Roberts from a line-out.      

Week Ending 30th Sept.
WREXHAM RUGBY PREVIEW FOR SATURDAY 1^ST OCTOBER 2011
WREXHAM 1STS V LLANIDLOES 
Wrexham are aiming to bounce back from last week’s record defeat at Colwyn Bay with a much improved performance against Llanidloes at Bryn Estyn Road (kick-off at 2.30pm).
Their cause will be helped by the return at prop of David Gard who has been unavailable since the first week of the season. Owain Turner, also absent due to work commitments last week, will reclaim his regular berth at scrum-half while Richard Platt will continue in the second-row in place of the injured Phil Williams.  
Visitors’ Llanidloes are in fifth place in the North Wales Division Two table at the moment with two victories out of four to their credit. They lost at home to their local rivals Cobra by the slender margin of 12-13 last week and will arrive at Bryn Estyn Road confident in the knowledge that they completed a notable double of victories over their opponents last season.  
Wrexham, however, came very close to defeating league leaders Cobra a fortnight ago and should have the firepower to compete well with Llanidloes tomorrow. Apart from last week’s debacle, they have proved that they can score tries regularly and possess gifted players in their backline like wing Jack Ratcliffe and centres Ben Cheesbrough and Josh Francis who can create the openings needed.    
     
WREXHAM YOUTH V COLWYN BAY YOUTH 
Wrexham Youth take on Colwyn Bay Youth at Bryn Estyn Road in a North Wales Youth Division One game that is expected to be closely contested. Skipper Mike Moore is a notable absentee while he recovers from a neck injury sustained at Mold last week, but his side should be strong enough to repeat their success of last season when they defeated the Seasiders by 29-8 (k.o.2.30pm).     

RUTHIN 2NDS V WREXHAM 2NDS 
Wrexham Seconds travel to Ruthin Seconds for a Clwyd League contest, knowing that they will have to be at their best to defeat the in-form side that completed home and away victories over them last term (k.o.2.30pm). 

WREXHAM RUGBY REPORTS FOR SATURDAY 24^TH SEPTEMBER 2011   
COLWYN BAY        73        WREXHAM FIRSTS            0 
Wrexham suffered a record margin of defeat at the hands of Colwyn Bay in a North Wales Division Two encounter at Brookfield Drive.  Missing several key players due to injury or unavailability, Wrexham failed to secure possession from the line-outs and missed a number of first-up tackles that let the Seasiders storm through for early tries.
The visitors more than held their own in the set scrums and enjoyed a short period of first-half domination, but they couldn’t score and found themselves trailing by 31-0 at half-time. Flanker Pete Blakemore delivered a Man of the Match display with constant tackling while his back-row partner Dwayne Speakman-Jones also covered himself in glory as he tried to stem the Colwyn Bay tide.
Skipper Guy Bingham was disappointed with his side’s comprehensive defeat but will aim to bounce back with a stronger side against Llanidloes at Wrexham on Saturday.            

MOLD YOUTH         36        WREXHAM YOUTH           17 
Mold Youth claimed the points as they defeated visitors Wrexham by 36-17 in an entertaining North Wales Youth Division One game at Chester Road. Wrexham’s cause was not helped by a catalogue of injuries that upset their momentum, particularly a neck injury suffered by their influential skipper Mike Moore that held up the game for over 30 minutes at the start of the second-half. The player required hospital treatment but, happily, is expected to make a full recovery.  
Mold played well to lead by 19-3 at the break, an early penalty by outside-half James Price being the only reward for a spirited first-half performance by the visitors. A fine try by their outstanding number eight Jack Morris with a conversion by Price in the first minute of the second-half then put Wrexham right back in the game.  
The injury to Mike Moore followed and, when play eventually resumed, the home side then regained the initiative and pulled away with three tries and one conversion. Wrexham kept plugging away, however, and had the final word when their in-form centre Tom Robinson cut through to score a superb try that Price again converted.      

WREXHAM VETS    33        CHESTER VETS       19 
Wrexham Vets overcame their Chester counterparts by 33-19 in a well-matched cross-border contest at Bryn Estyn Road. The home tries came from wing Gareth Bostock (2), lock Mike McLeod, scrum-half Kelvin Bryan and wing Richard Weston while conversions were slotted by full-back Darrell Hughes (3) and centre Anthony Lang.   

Week Ending 9th Sept.
WREXHAM RUGBY PREVIEW FOR SATURDAY 10^TH SEPTEMBER 2011
DENBIGH V WREXHAM 1STS
Wrexham lock Phil Williams will take the field for his 100^th senior Wrexham appearance when his side visits Denbigh tomorrow for what is expected to be a closely fought Division Two contest (kick-off at 2.30pm).  Williams came through the mini and junior ranks before establishing himself as a leading member of the club’s Youth Team. His First Team debut came in 2004 and it was a winning start for him as his side defeated Welshpool at Bryn Estyn Road by 22-5. Now he is a powerhouse in Wrexham’s second-row as well as a dominant line-out technician. Coach Rob Thomas is hoping that his team will be able to deliver the sort of performance that enabled them to come back from 0-15 down against Abergele last Saturday to snatch a losing bonus point in a 17-24 defeat.
Prop Dave Gard is unavailable, so Nick Perrin will move from hooker to cover the vacancy with Youth Team player Mike Moore coming in to make his second appearance in the front-row.  
In the backs, Mike Powell makes a welcome return at outside-half and Nathan Jones retains his place in the centre following a fine performance last week. The replacements’ bench looks particularly strong with the experienced wing Scott Davies and outside-half Roger Chadwick eager to get into the action alongside youngsters Jonathon Davies and Danny Wolfenden.Denbigh are already propping up the table after their 6-36 defeat at home by a rejuvenated Rhyl side last weekend.
Wrexham will travel with high hopes but will also be mindful that they finished 19-27 losers at Denbigh as recently as last April and will have to start well and play at their best if they are to turn the tables this time.  
                
LLANDUDNO 2NDS V WREXHAM 2NDS 
Wrexham Seconds travel to play Llandudno Seconds, the team that they defeated by 26-15 at Llandudno in their final game last season to win the Second Team Plate Competition (k.o.2.30pm).
    
WREXHAM RUGBY REPORT FOR SATURDAY 3^RD SEPTEMBER 2011
WREXHAM   17        ABERGELE   24
Wrexham suffered a 17-24 home defeat at the hands of Abergele on the opening day of the new rugby season, but they impressed overall with a young untried team and will surely improve as their Division Two campaign progresses. 
Abergele settled well at the beginning and opened the scoring in the 4^th minute with an unconverted try in the left corner by lock Simon Hughes. Centre Gareth Evans was off target with a difficult conversion attempt but made up for this when he added the extra points to full-back Chris Marsh’s try just before the end of the first quarter. Wrexham maintained a high tackling rate and dominated the set scrum but some of their tactics fell foul of the referee and they found it difficult to make progress.
That all changed in the second quarter of the game when their young outside-half James Price and centre Scott Jones together with flanker Troy Roberts made breaks that started to put pressure on the visitors.They spurned a number of penalty opportunities as they went in search of tries, but some woeful passes and wrong options left them without a point for all their efforts. Abergele were under the cosh but they still managed to increase their lead when Evans popped over a long-distance penalty in the 30^th minute.
Wrexham turned round 0-15 down at half-time but soon started to dominate the game again. They eventually broke through the Abergele defence in the 60^th minute when they moved the ball swiftly from left to right for wing Mark Gasson to touch down in the corner. Price converted from the touchline and Wrexham were back in business.  more

Week Ending 2nd Sept.
WREXHAM RUGBY PREVIEW FOR SATURDAY 3^RD SEPTEMBER 2011
WREXHAM 1STS V ABERGELEWrexham start their new North Wales Division Two rugby season on Saturday with a home game against an up and coming Abergele side (kick-off at 2.30pm).
Prop Guy Bingham has reclaimed the captaincy after a year’s break and is aiming to get his side off to a winning start after a couple of promising warm-up games against Whitchurch and Bala last month. He will partner Nick Perrin and last season’s Players’ Player of the Year, Dave Gard, in a powerful Wrexham front-row.
Leighton Cox has looked very sharp in recent training and will claim the full-back berth while Jack Ratcliffe, acclaimed as the team’s most improved player last term, will pose a few problems for the visitors on the wing. The experienced Gareth Hughes makes a welcome return to the back-row and there is a fair sprinkling of youth in the backs with Nathan Jones and Scott Jones forming a centre partnership.
Abergele were newcomers to Division Two last season but competed well enough to secure a mid table place by the end of last May, including home and away victories over tomorrow’s opponents. Coaching changes and player injuries left Wrexham struggling to find consistency last term, but their 66-0 drubbing of Menai Bridge in the last match of the season proved what they are capable of doing when playing at full strength.
       
Week Ending 22nd July
WREXHAM RUGBY CLUB – PRE-SEASON TRAINING
Wrexham Rugby Club have been stepping up their pre-season training now that there is less than seven weeks to go before the start of their new campaign in the North Wales Division Two Championship.Club coach Rob Thomas has been pleased with the enthusiastic support given by his senior and youth team players since training commenced at the beginning of June and has witnessed a marked improvement in fitness levels. Although fitness remains a key part of his programme, there is now an emphasis on close contact work to equip players for the forthcoming matches against some very good clubs in their division. Bala have been promoted to Division One and Welshpool and Bangor have been relegated to Division Three, but Colwyn Bay have had to drop down from Division One and will be keen to make a rapid return to the top level. Dolgellau and Llanidloes both finished one point behind champions Bala and will probably be pace setters from September.
Thomas recognises that Wrexham need to make a good start to the season and has arranged warm-up games against Bala and Division Three runners up Rhos, the first game being against local rivals Rhos at Bryn Estyn Road on Saturday 20^th August. This should give an indication of how the First Team is likely to perform when they take on Abergele in the first league match of the season at Wrexham on Saturday 3^rd September.    

There have been changes at Youth Team level where the Under 19’s represent Wrexham in Division One of the North Wales Youth League. A new coaching partnership of Nick Stott, Barry Lewis and Tony Coates has moved up with last year’s Under 16’s to engage in the running of the team which finished a close third behind Ruthin and Mold in the championship last May. Training at Wrexham’s Bryn Estyn Road headquarters takes place every Tuesday and Thursday at 6.45pm. Coach Rob Thomas is keen to emphasise that all sessions are open not only to current players but also to anyone who may be interested in starting a rugby career, or may be returning to the sport following a short break from the game.