Wrexham Rugby Football Club
Bryn Estyn Road, Wrexham, LL13 9TY (UK)
01978 261215

CLUB NEWS 02-03
from
Chris Kilfoyle

10/05/03 Report

Mike Ward claimed the top awards at Wrexham Rugby Club's Annual Dinner and Awards Presentation evening on Friday evening when he was presented with the Harry Hollywell Trophy , chosen by Club Coach Dave Cheesbrough as his choice of top player, and the prestigious Adrian Hill Players' Player of the Year 
Trophy, selected by the players. 

The former Youth Team flanker, who was voted the Most Improved Player last term, progressed to command a regular place in the back-row of the pack and missed only two games throughout a challenging season. His massive contribution to the side included scoring four tries and his presence was a major factor in the team's successful battle against relegation. 

Austin Thomas, the Welsh Rugby Union Director of Rugby for North Wales, presented the trophies to Mike Ward after the awards part of the evening was opened by Vice-Chairman Stan Edwards using the beautifully crafted gavel donated to the club by Pat Harries in memory of her husband Gwyn who died last year. 

Thomas, a former team-mate of much loved Wrexham policeman, player and rugby coach, paid tribute to Gwyn Harries and explained that the gavel would be a lasting memory to his good friend as it would be used at all future club dinners and other important events. 

The Most Improved Player trophy went to Kerry Powell who emerged from the Youth Team ranks to claim a regular place at full-back and finished his first season as the team's top points scorer with a tally of 71 points including two tries. His tackling was also impressive and he should make an even bigger contribution to the success of the side next term. 

The Bernard Malley Award, presented to the player making the most appearances in a season, was shared between Rob Pierce and Paul Mizzi who played in every game. Both received replica trophies and it was the third year in succession that Pierce's determination to maintain his fitness levels and overcome injuries had enabled him to win the prestigious award. 

A mixture of fresh blood and consistency in selection led to seven players being awarded much coveted 'colours' ties this season. Simon Sullivan, Paul Mizzi, Gareth Perrin, Jason Griffiths, Hywel Raymond, Dean Griffiths and Kerry Powell played in over 75% of senior team games for the first time in their career and were presented with the coveted ties by Austin Thomas.

The Delwyn Griffiths Award for outstanding service to the club, off the field of play, was presented to Kevin Davies who maintained a very effective link between players and committee members to ensure that the whole operation of fielding four teams each week worked smoothly.

The Frank Chapman Award for hard work and personality was placed in the hands of Fixture Secretary Paul Roberts for the second year in succession. His handsome contribution to the season also involved liaising with referees, checking pitches and helping to prepare after-match meals for hungry players and officials. 

The Pat's Coaches Second Team Player of the Year Trophy went to centre John Darlington who was a regular try scorer and was hugely influential in his team's success in retaining the North East Wales Division One Championship for the second season in succession. 

The magnificent John Bowen Memorial Trophy was presented by Austin Thomas to Peter Blakemore who was chosen as the most promising Under 19 player. He will remain a Youth Team player next season but will be eligible to play for the senior sides when available as part of his rugby career development. 

Mr. Thomas then presentations to the club sides with Chris Phillips picking up the Second XV Players' Player of the Year Award and Darrell Hughes collecting the Personality Award for the third year in succession. 

In the Youth Team, Jerome Bentley was voted Coach's Player of the Year and John Ireland scooped the Players' Award. Ties were presented by Austin Thomas presented team ties to Anthony Medcalf, Mike Blackwell, Matthew Sawin, Jerome Bentley, Luke Pemberton and Gareth Owen. 

James Bellis walked away with the Third XV Captain's Player Award and the Players' Player Award following a very successful season during which he notched a try in nearly every game. The popular goal kicking prop forward Ian Bostock claimed the Third Team Personality Award for the second time in succession. 

Presentations of framed photographs of the First Team were then presented by Mr. Thomas to Club Captain John Roberts, Club Coach Dave Cheesbrough and Assistant Coach Marc Roberts in token of the club's gratitude for the enormous contribution which each of them put in this season. Club officials, led by Vice-Chairman Stan Edwards, arranged raffles at the dinner and managed to raise over £400 to pay for players equipment such as tackle bags, rugby balls and first aid equipment. The new format for the 
Annual Dinner of making presentations early in the proceedings worked well and will be retained for next season. 

Now that the rugby season has come to a close at Bryn Estyn Road, a 54 man Wrexham touring squad will depart for a ten day tour of South Africa from the clubhouse this afternoon (12.30pm). They will take with them shirts and other rugby gear, donated by local sponsors which include Hoya Lens and Tetra Pak, to be given to rugby clubs which cannot afford such equipment for their youth teams.

Ten of the current First Team squad, including skipper John Roberts and pack leader Gareth Noon, are included in the touring party and they will play games against Blakes RFC, Stand RVK and Retreat RFC. The toughest game will be against the Stand RVK from the Western Province Premier League A next Wednesday.

The tour has been superbly organised by Ian Gallagher, assisted by Darrell Hughes, and the tourists will complete their demanding schedule with a civic reception at Retreat on Saturday 24th May, followed by their final game and a Veterans match which will celebrate Retreat RFC's 105th anniversary. A good time will surely be enjoyed by all. 

The line-up of teams in next season's Division Five North will be finalised this weekend after second from bottom Pwllheli have completed their play-off game against Division Six North runners up Colwyn Bay. Bottom club Bethesda have already been relegated and their place has been taken by Bala who have finally made the top flight after many seasons of trying.

This seasons old news

09/05/03 Rugby

Wrexham Rugby Club players and supporters will gather at their Bryn Estyn Road clubhouse this evening to celebrate the end of a season which was characterised by the First Team's long and arduous, but eventually successful, struggle to avoid relegation from Division Five North (7.30pm). 

Local businessman and popular local after dinner speaker Alan Tudor has been invited as the Guest of Honour at the club's Annual Dinner which will also feature the presentation of awards and trophies to the top performers in the senior Wrexham teams and the Under 19 Youth Squad. Tudor will dash from a prior engagement at Abergele to engage the diners with his witty anecdotes. 

Club Coach Dave Cheesbrough and Chairman Gareth Lewis will present trophies to the award winners, Lewis bringing the meeting to order with the beautifully worked gavel which Pat Harries, the wife of former player and coach Gwyn, presented to the club a fortnight ago in memory of her late husband. 

Prop Rob Pierce and centre Paul Mizzi played in every game this season and will deservedly share the Bernard Malley Award which is awarded to the player making the most First XV appearances. The winners of the other trophies and awards will be kept secret until the prize giving ceremony takes place.

The most prestigious award is the Harry Hollywell Award for the Player of the Year as judged by the Club Coach. It will be a hard decision for Dave Cheesbrough to make as Paul Mizzi displayed total dedication throughout the long campaign, the back-row trio of Mike Ward, Dean Griffiths and Gareth Noon also stood out, and the claims from lock Mike McLeod and hooker Danny Munro 
are also impressive. 

The players in the club will then vote for their choice as the Players Player of the Year, the winner receiving the coveted Adrian Hill Award. There should be no lack of candidates for the Most Improved Player award with full-back and top points scorer Kerry Powell appearing to be the outstanding prospect ahead of wingers Simon Sullivan and Hywel Raymond. 

A mixture of fresh blood and consistency in selection has led to seven players being awarded much coveted 'colours' ties this season. Simon Sullivan, Paul Mizzi, Gareth Perrin, Jason Griffiths, Hywel Raymond, Dean Griffiths and Kerry Powell played in over 75% of senior team games for the first time in their career and will be presented with their ties at the dinner. 

Second XV skipper Kevin Davies will have a difficult task to choose his Player of the Year as centre John Darlington, outside-half Carl Pugh, and number eight Carl Turner all played consistently well during a very successful season which culminated in the team retaining the North East Wales Division One Championship for the second year in succession. 

Under skipper Sean Williams, Wrexham Thirds finished in fourth place in Division Two after making up for a poor start to their season. Centre James Bellis scored in nearly every game and while flanker Lee Barnes-Roberts made a big impression in the pack in company with veteran hooker Steve Jarvis. 

There are a number of strong contenders in the Under 19 Youth Team for the John Bowen Memorial Trophy which will be awarded to their most promising player. Centre John Ireland, scrum-half Michael Powell and number eight Jason Tomlinson have all demonstrated that they are capable of acquitting themselves well when they play at a higher level. 

Under Club Coach Ross Roberts, Wrexham Firsts started the season with an acclaimed 17-3 victory in a Welsh Cup game at Llanhilleth and then travelled to Pwllheli on the following Saturday to open their league campaign with a superb 24-5 success. Although they defeated Dolgellau by 40-27 in another Welsh Cup game, the rot set in after a 24-45 reverse at Caernarfon as 
confidence sagged and fitness levels dropped. 

Ross Roberts departed after a 63-24 hammering at Hendy in a Welsh Cup match and former coach Dave Cheesbrough took over on a caretaker basis at the end of October. Results failed to improve initially but games became closer until Wrexham recorded their first home success when they defeated Newtown by 34-10 at the end of November. 

Cheesbrough persevered with the original squad but introduced more organisation into their play. The players responded by increasing their fitness levels and the squad was then bolstered by the return of two former Youth Team players to the squad. Daniel Cheesbrough slotted in at scrum-half and Mike Jones demonstrated his versatility by playing in the back-row or at 
lock.

They completed the double over Newtown in January and then played exceptionally well at Llandudno to pull off an outstanding 18-15 success. Although it remained a desperate struggle for them until the last weeks of April, Wrexham won 7 of their last 10 league matches and did superbly well to move up to 6th place in the table, avoiding what had looked at one time an 
inevitable drop into Division Six North. 

A relatively low number of 48 players, compared with the previous season's 61, represented the First XV during the season but success in only 11 of their 26 games resulted in a small drop in standards when compared with their results last term. A haul of 65 tries was low but the conversion rate of 63% from kickers like Kerry Powell and Huw Thomas was commendable. 

Rob Pierce and Paul Mizzi overcame niggling injuries to appear in every game and they were closely followed by Dean Griffiths (25), Mike McLeod (24), Mike Ward (24), Jason Griffiths (24), Simon Sullivan (21), Danny Munro (21), Richard Lloyd (20), and Gareth Noon (20). 

Wrexham Seconds retained the North East Wales Division One Championship for the second successive season, losing only one game at Flint. Skippered once again by Kevin Davies, they also whitewashed Wirral Thirds and Chester Thirds by 45-0 and 51-0 respectively in friendly cross border fixtures and defeated Whitchurch Thirds by 43-12 on their home midden.

Wrexham Thirds failed to perform as strongly as last season but were still in contention for the Division Two Championship in the last month of the season. They completed doubles over Mold, Rhyl and Afon Dee and whitewashed Whitchurch Fourths at Edgeley Park by 89-0 in a cross border friendly fixture. 

Coached by Kevin Powell, Wrexham's Youth Team struggled to field a full side in the first half of their season in Division One of the Dragons Rugby Trust North Wales League, but they finished strongly with a 38-7 victory over strong contenders Denbigh and overcame Bala by 31-5 in a North Wales Youth Cup game last month before falling to the top North Wales side Mold.

26/04/03 Report

WREXHAM 18 MOLD 15

A 40 metre drop goal by outside-half Richard Lloyd won the game for Wrexham deep into injury time in this typically robust derby encounter, but it took a performance of sheer guts and determination by the home side to overturn Mold's 15-0 half-time advantage. 

Wrexham's victory, their sixth in eight games, elevated them to fifth place in the Division Five North table and rewarded them for all of the hard work put into the second half of the season. Defeat left Mold still facing the threat of relegation, but they can rescue themselves by winning one of their two remaining games. 

Wrexham looked to be heading for relegation from as early as last November when coach Ross Roberts resigned following a string of bad results, but new coach Dave Cheesbrough gradually transformed the side and finally saw his efforts bear fruit in Saturday's battling performance. 

A keen breeze influenced the pattern of play throughout with Mold having first use of it and opening the scoring in the 2nd minute when lock Paddy Hughes claimed the ball in a line-out and was driven over for an excellent try. 

Wrexham had to defend furiously as the visiting pack won a stream of possession and former Wrexham outside-half Jon Aby and scrum-half Jamie Griffiths dictated play behind the scrum. Griffiths missed the early conversion but succeeded with a penalty to increase Mold's advantage to 8-0 in the second quarter.

Prop Rob Pierce did his best to stem the tide and winger Hywel Raymond threatened on the break for the hard pressed home side. However, the visitors went further ahead at the end of the first-half when the referee failed to spot Richard Lloyd getting a hand to a loose ball from a kick and chase and awarded a try to Jamie Griffiths who dived on it and added the simple conversion. 

Unperturbed, Wrexham shifted into top gear with the wind at their backs after the break and soon reduced the arrears with a fine try by number eight Dean Griffiths who crashed over from a line-out. Full-back Kerry Powell missed the conversion but made no mistake when he converted a smart try by scrum-half Daniel Cheesbrough who broke three tackles to score his first senior try. 

The game erupted as tempers frayed and the referee sent three players, two from Mold and Wrexham lock Mike McLeod, to cool off in the sin-bin. When they had all returned, coach Dave Cheesbrough piled on forward replacements in the form of Llyr Williams, Jason Griffiths and Gareth Perrin, and the defiant visitors were at last outgunned. 

A penalty by Powell levelled the scores in the final quarter as Wrexham pummeled the home defence. When Lloyd failed with a drop goal attempt in injury time it looked as though a draw would be the likely result, but he tried again when the Wrexham forwards won a ruck on the Mold 10 metre line moments later and this time his long distance effort sailed between the posts to ignite the home celebrations.

The successful introduction of young players like Kerry Powell and Daniel Cheesbrough to the side indicates that the club can improve next season. Although several of the experienced forwards are approaching retirement, strong current Youth Team forwards like Phil Williams, Jason Tomlinson and Danny Seabrook will become eligible to gain experience in a limited number of First XV games next season and should bolster the squad in the following year. 

Wrexham Seconds completed their Season with a visit to the Chester Veterans Tournament on Sunday and reached the semi-final of the plate competition where they were beaten 14-7 by Whitchurch. Andy Perrin grabbed a try and Darrell Hughes landed a conversion as they fought back from a 0-14 deficit, but they failed to make any further impression. 

In the early group games, they defeated Old Anselmians by 17-0 and were then unlucky to lose to the powerful West Park Bramhope side by 0-3, a last minute penalty deciding the issue. 

Wrexham Thirds rounded off their season in North East Wales Division Two with a thumping 92-5 victory over Mold Thirds at Bryn Estyn Road. Try scorers were James Bellis (3), Peter Dougan (2), Mark Otter (2), James Wrathall (2), Darren Evans, Dave Beckett, Gerry Darbyshire, Mark Lloyd and Kevin Davies. Ian Bostock landed 8 conversions and Beckett and Dougan added one apiece. 

The Youth Team was knocked out of the North Wales Youth Cup at Mold where the Premier Division One side won by 42-0. The visitors came back strongly with an excellent second-half performance and good work from Adam Jones and Luke Pemberton, but were unable to break through a well organised defence. 

Wrexham Under 15's represented North Wales at an invitation only international festival of rugby in Llanelli only to lose their season long unbeaten record to Newbridge College from Dublin on Saturday. The older Irish side triumphed by 24-0 but man of the match Chris Reece, Jonathan Davies and Joe Tiley played well and were well received by an enthusiastic crowd.

On Sunday, they performed well again but suffered narrow defeats against Blackwood, Burry Port and Trimsaran. Wrexham's player of the tournament was Glen Bellamy while Daniel Gibbons and Darren Jones were singled for fine performances and received commemorative trophies from the organisers.

The squad and their supporters behaved impeccably and made many new friends at this prestigious tournament. A special pen set from the Wrexham Mayor's Office was presented to representatives of the London Wasps club who have invited the Under 15's to play against them in London next season and then watch the Wasps English Premiership side in action.

The rugby season has now been completed for all Wrexham teams and they can now look forward the club's Annual Dinner and Presentation of Awards evening at Bryn Estyn Road on Friday 9th May at 7.00pm. The guest of honour will be the local businessman and after dinner speaker Alan Tudor who was a former First XV player at the club. 26/04/03 Preview 

Wrexham's final game of the season against their local rivals Mold at Bryn Estyn Road tomorrow afternoon will have extra spice added to it as Mold are facing the threat of relegation from Division Five North and will be desperate to secure a victory on a ground where they have not enjoyed much luck in recent years (kick-off at 2.30pm). 

Following successive victories over Caernarfon, Bethesda and Pwllheli, Wrexham have finally managed to fend off a season-long relegation threat and are setting their sights on a top five finish in their division. With their South African Tour due to start in less than three weeks time, they are also keen to end their season on a high and winning note. 

Flanker Mike Ward, unavailable last week, will be welcomed back to the squad by coach Dave Cheesbrough who should be able to name an unchanged pack for tomorrow's encounter. Winger Simon Sullivan hurt his arm in last week's game against Pwllheli and will have to pass a fitness test before he can play again, Chris Andrew taking over from him if required. 

Mold won the previous encounter between the sides by 6-5 at Chester Road last December, Paul Mizzi failing to convert a late try by flanker Danny Munro and leaving his side without any reward after a promising performance. Centre Richie Cochrane kicked two second-half penalties for the home side and he will need no invitation to repeat his success tomorrow.

Wrexham claimed the previous encounter between the two clubs at Bryn Estyn Road with a record 46-14 victory last season. The forwards laid the foundation for that success and outside-half Richard Lloyd repaid them with a grand slam tally of 21 points from a try, 5 conversions, a penalty and a drop goal. 

Former Wrexham stalwarts Rob Thatcher and Jon Aby, who is Mold's current Club Coach, will make life difficult for Wrexham skipper John Roberts and his strong finishing side, but the home side should be able to finish their season in style while Mold will still have two games in hand to rescue themselves from the dreaded prospect of relegation. 

Wrexham Seconds will complete their season with a visit to the popular Chester Veterans Tournament at Vicars Cross on Sunday (k.o.12.00pm). Wrexham Thirds take on Mold Thirds in North East Wales Division Two game at Bryn Estyn Road tomorrow while the Youth Team will travel in the opposite direction to play favourites Mold in a North Wales Youth Cup second round encounter (k.o.3.00pm). 

In Mini and Junior Rugby, the unbeaten Wrexham Under 15's squad and four players from the Under 14 side have been invited by Llanelli to represent North Wales at a festival of rugby which starts today and finishes on Sunday. Some of the other participating sides are Burry Port, Amman United, Blackwood, and Ystrad Rhondda but the highlight of the tour for Wrexham will be a full game against London Wasps. 

The successful Under 15 squad is organised by coach Stuart Bellamy and team manager Gareth Jarvis who will be presenting the Wasps side with gifts from Wrexham Rugby Club and the Wrexham Mayor's Office in celebration of this prestigious game.

19/04/03 Report

WREXHAM 13 PWLLHELI 8

Wrexham gave a strangely jittery performance and had to come from behind to win this hectic relegation battle, their 10th victory of the season being sufficient to guarantee their continued survival Division Five North Championship next season. 

Try scorer Gareth Noon, centre Paul Mizzi and lock Mike McLeod were the pick of the bunch as Wrexham held off a late challenge from the visitors to remain in 6th place in the league table. Richard Lloyd also kicked astutely to relieve the pressure, Mike Jones cleaned up in the line-out and Kerry Powell gave another brave performance at full-back.

Wrexham made a nervous start against a side which has not traveled well this season and fell behind in the 4th minute when slack tackling let the Pwllheli forwards and backs create a flowing movement which resulted in an unconverted try in the left corner for winger Arwel Roberts.

Noon inspired Wrexham to counter with some adventurous play, but little headway was made due to handling mistakes. Powell was able to reduce the deficit with a well struck penalty in the 23rd minute but the home side was fully stretched in defence at times and had hooker Danny Munro and centre Paul Mizzi to thank for some determined tackles. 

The sin-binning of two Pwllheli forwards and Wrexham's Dean Griffiths near the end of the first-half gave the home side numerical advantage and they exploited it with a fine try by Noon in the last minute of injury time. Operating as number eight in the absence of Griffiths, the big forward picked up from the base of a scrum and ran 20 metres through the defence to score. 

The visitors came back strongly in the second-half and they were rewarded in the 54th minute when the visiting forwards won possession on the home 22 and outside-half Iwan Gwyn kicked a neat drop goal to level the scores and inspire his side.

Wrexham managed to find some cohesion, however, and pounded away in the Pwllheli 22 until they broke the deadlock ten minutes later with a sparkling try in the corner by winger Hywel Raymond. McLeod attacked from a scrum on the left hand side and fed replacement lock Jason Griffiths who popped the ball to Raymond as he stretched his legs down the wing. 

The final quarter became a desperate struggle between two relegation threatened sides with Pwllheli attempting to break through in waves and Wrexham responding with crunching tackles and the occasional escape from the stranglehold. McLeod kept his composure and saved the day for the home side as he dispossessed Pwllheli in the line-outs and blocked their final efforts. 

Wrexham Seconds visited the Wirral Peninsula and encountered stiff opposition in their friendly against a Caldy XV, losing by 24-38. They trailed by 0-31 at half-time but fought back gamely with tries from Carl Turner (2), Iwan Roberts and James Wrathall, James Plant adding two conversions. 

Wrexham Thirds were defeated 33-7 by a strengthened Flint Second XV in their North East Wales Division Two game at Flint. Regular try scorer James Bellis notched a single score for the losers and Anthony Lang added a conversion. The Youth Team lost by 0-30 in their friendly at Widnes.

 19/04/03 Preview

Wrexham can forget all about their relegation worries if they repeat their success of last season and defeat former Division Five North Champions Pwllheli at Bryn Estyn Road tomorrow afternoon (kickoff at 2.30pm). 

With only cuts and bruises suffered by his players during last week's conquest of Bethesda, coach Dave Cheesbrough is able to name an unchanged starting line-up with the addition on the bench of utility back Chris Andrew. Pack leader Gareth Noon faces a late fitness test to check a facial injury but is expected to keep his regular place in the back-row.

As the season rapidly draws to a close, it is amazing that all but the leading three clubs in the division can mathematically be relegated as only six points separate the nine lower clubs. Wrexham have pulled up to sixth place, just ahead of Pwllheli, after successive victories over Caernarfon and Bethesda, but they could fall into the danger zone again if they fail to win tomorrow's game. 

When the two clubs met at Bryn Estyn Road in February last season, Wrexham performed well and gained a deserved 20-0 victory with tries from their big forwards Mike McLeod, Iwan Roberts and Jason Munro. Roberts is still recuperating after a knee injury, Munro has retired from rugby, but McLeod is still competing and will make his 140th appearance for the club tomorrow.

On his own admission, McLeod has had a low key season, but he has always relished a challenge and is now running into top form. Outside-half Richard Lloyd is enjoying his last season of senior rugby and is still pleasing his forwards with his assured touch kicking while young Kerry Powell is playing better with each game at full-back and represents the future of the club.

Although their record at home is good, Pwllheli have won only once on their travels this season, scrambling to a 36-35 last gasp victory at Newtown. 

Wrexham defeated them by 24-5 in Pwllheli on the first day of the league championship and, although tomorrow's opponents possess useful backs in centre Gareth Hodgson and winger Gareth Wright, Wrexham should have enough firepower and determination to complete their second double of the season. 

Wrexham Seconds are looking for a suitable friendly fixture from the local fixture pool after their scheduled opponents Runcorn pulled out. The Thirds visit Flint Seconds for a North East Wales Division Two league game and the Youth Team travel to Widnes for a return friendly against the Lancashire side (k.o.3.00pm). 

12/04/03 Report

BETHESDA 15 WREXHAM 22

For a second season in succession, Wrexham overcame Bethesda at their Gwynedd stronghold to boost their chances of avoiding relegation from Division Five North and push their bottom of the table opponents nearer to Division Six. 

It all started differently for the home side who had to draft Chester prop Richard Moore into their ranks to overcome a shortage in the front-row. They opened strongly and grabbed the lead in the first minute when outside-half Matthew Parry kicked a penalty to punish an infringement at the opening maul.

Wrexham had worked hard in preparation for this crucial relegation game and soon countered with good inter passing between forwards and backs to force a line-out in the home 22. Lock Mike Jones took a clean catch and the rest of the pack drove prop Marc Roberts over the line for an excellent try in the 4th minute. Full-back Kerry Powell added a difficult conversion. 

Then Bethesda charged back down the slope and were unlucky when Parry miscued a 7th minute penalty shot. The hectic action continued with Wrexham competing well and prop Rob Pierce, flanker Gareth Noon and winger Simon Sullivan testing the home defence before several promising attacks petered out due to handling and kicking errors. 

Fierce pressure from Bethesda produced a score in the 27th minute when their forwards won a scrum in the Wrexham 22 and scrum-half Steven Ellis picked up the ball, feigned to pass outside and then just kept going to score wide-out. Parry failed with the conversion attempt but made up for it by linking well with the Western Australia centre Matt Harrington to contain the visitors. 

Wrexham remained dominant in the forward exchanges and reclaimed the lead in the 44th minute when skipper John Roberts broke through in the centre and fed Noon who charged towards the home posts. Although Bethesda managed to halt the rampaging pack leader, the ball was recycled to the alert Powell who stole in at the left corner to put his side ahead. 

Leading by 12-8 at the start of the second-half, Wrexham soaked up a barrage from the home side and quickly returned to the offensive. However, a possible try from a Wrexham forward drive was disallowed in the 51st minute, Powell missed a kickable penalty moments later and hooker Danny Munro was then sent to the sin-bin for a moment of petulance. 

Depleted and forced into urgent defensive measures on their try line, the Wrexham forwards somehow managed to steal possession and swept downfield on a sudden counter. Centre Paul Mizzi broke clear and ran over 30 metres before he slipped the ball to John Roberts who was clearly delighted when he touched down under the uprights. Powell made no mistake with the conversion. 

Wrexham came back for more and increased their lead with a neat drop goal by outside-half Lloyd who added some excellent touch kicks, but there was drama when Wrexham's replacement prop Geraint Davies was sent to the sin-bin in the 69th minute for not releasing and the referee forgot to recall Munro after he had completed his time in the bin. 

Amidst howls of protest from the visiting supporters, 13 man Wrexham ran out of defenders and conceded a try to the flying Harrington with a fine conversion from Parry. The scene was set for a dramatic finale but, with Munro restored to the pack, Wrexham were able to contain a tiring home side which now looks set for relegation. 

A brave challenge for the North East Wales Division Two Championship ended in disappointment for Wrexham Thirds at Llangollen on Saturday, the home side winning by 33-17 to keep themselves on track to claim the title. Peter Dougan, Rhodri Davies and man of the match Chris Phillips grabbed a try apiece and Mark Jones slotted a conversion in a dramatic second-half recovery by the visitors, but their rush of points came too late to save the match. 12/04/03 Preview

Wrexham's battle against relegation from Division Five North reaches a crucial stage tomorrow afternoon when they visit Bethesda for a showdown between two of the four clubs currently languishing in bottom place in the table. The others are Pwllheli and Rhyl who face each other at Pwllheli (k.o. 2.30pm).

Coach Dave Cheesbrough was satisfied with last week's record victory over Caernarfon and the hard work put in by his players. "We have been taking it game by game but this week's match at Bethesda is the one that we are after," he said after training this week. 

Cheesbrough will name an unchanged side if centre Paul Mizzi, lock Mike McLeod and number eight Dean Griffiths pass late fitness tests. All of them picked up injuries in last week's game but are keen to play in the match which could ensure Wrexham's survival. Mizzi, who has suffered a hand injury, has not missed a game so far and has been running into top form of late. 

When Wrexham visited Bethesda at the same time last season, the situation was exactly the same with both clubs facing demotion to Division Six North and working frantically to avoid the drop. The visitors somehow managed to win that nail biting encounter by 24-19, despite having a player sinbinned and one sent off for indiscretions in an 8 minute injury time period. Bethesda went on to secure their Division Five status by beating Ruthin in an end of season game. 

Bethesda gained a surprise 39-19 victory at Rhyl last Saturday with two of their six tries coming from their Western Australia centre Matt Harrington who played against the British Lions on their last tour to Australia. Rumours abound that the Gwynedd club have just brought in a couple of top class players on permit to strengthen their cause and Wrexham will have to be wary of Harrington and his improved back line.

John Roberts has captained his Wrexham side to four league victories on their travels this season and is keen to make tomorrow's last away game a successful one. Win or lose, he still has home games against Pwllheli and Mold to play in the next two weeks and, courtesy of his side's eight try haul from their Caernarfon game, has a healthy try scoring advantage over his closest rivals. 

Wrexham Seconds take on Manchester Veterans in a friendly at Bryn Estyn Road tomorrow while the Thirds travel to Llangollen for a North East Wales Division Two game that could decide the destination of this season's Championship. Llangollen, boosted by 15 tries from Wrexham Youth Team player Tom Stevens, are in pole position but will have to work hard to foil a late charge from the former champions (k.o. 2.30pm).

In Mini and Junior Rugby, the Under 8's and 10's face Warrington at Bryn Estyn Road on Sunday morning while the junior teams will visit Crewe for a series of games (k.o.10.30am).

05/04/03 Report

WREXHAM 57 CAERNARFON 8

With only one home victory to their credit this season and needing a win to stave off relegation, Wrexham tore the visitors apart with an eight try blitz that earned them a record winning margin in Division Five North. Safety is still a distance away, however, as they are one of four clubs tied on 19 points at the bottom of the table. 

Skipper John Roberts and flanker Mike Ward grabbed a smart brace of tries apiece while full-back Kerry Powell supplied 7 conversions and added a penalty to claim a personal tally of 17 points which took him past outside-half Richard Lloyd as this season's top points scorer.

Caernarfon opened brightly and missed a penalty before lock Mike McLeod dominated the line-out and spurred on his Wrexham side with several dynamic breaks. Centre Paul Mizzi soon found his form and opened the scoring in the 10th minute when he supported McLeod in a surge into the visitors 22 and 
touched down close enough to the posts for full-back Kerry Powell to add the conversion. 

More pressure produced a deserved try for McLeod, his first of the season, with Powell landing another conversion. Caernarfon hit back in the 18th minute with a penalty as a home forward handled in a ruck and the game looked to be in the balance until deep in the second quarter when Wrexham skipper John Roberts raced in for a brace of tries.

Powell, who had set up one of those tries for Roberts, kicked both conversions and added a penalty to give his side a commanding 31-3 lead at the break. Caernarfon countered strongly after the break but Wrexham weathered the storm and replied with a spectacular try by flanker Mike Ward who pirouetted outside the visitors 22 and ran away unopposed to score under the posts. 

Powell supplied the simple conversion and then backed up the home forwards as they went into overdrive with flanker Gareth Noon leading by example and lock Mike Jones taking over where the injured McLeod left off in the line-out. Wrexham went in search of tries in the final quarter and stretched their lead with scores by wingers Hywel Raymond and Simon Sullivan plus a second touchdown for Ward. 

Powell added two conversions, including a superb effort from the touchline, before Caernarfon gained some consolation for their solid endeavour with a late interception try by full-back Paul Lloyd-Williams.

Wrexham Seconds had to come from behind to retain the North East Wales Division One Championship for the second successive season with a hard earned 24-10 home victory over Denbigh Seconds. Tries came from John Darlington, Ross Roberts, Andy Perrin and Alex Crewe while James Plant kicked two conversions for good measure. 

The Thirds kept themselves in the hunt for the Division Two Championship by defeating title contenders Rhos Seconds 36-20 in a hotly contested local derby at Bryn Estyn Road. Wrexham's scores came from Gareth Bostock (3), Jamie Jennings and Lee Barnes-Roberts with 4 conversions and a penalty from Ian Connell, while the Rhos scorers were Karl Hughes, Rhys Taylor and Alan Andrews who also kicked a conversion and a penalty. 

Wrexham Youth Team completed a hat-trick of victories over Bala this season by defeating them 31-5 in a North Wales Youth Cup first round game at Wrexham. Skipper Michael Powell and Mark Gasson grabbed a brace of tries apiece, Peter Blakemore supplied another touchdown and John Gormley landed 3 conversions. 05/04/03 Preview

Only a victory over Caernarfon at Bryn Estyn Road tomorrow will be sufficient to keep Wrexham on course in their desperate battle to avoid relegation to Division Six North by the end of the season (kick-off at 2.30pm). 

The home challenge will be boosted by the return to full fitness of prop Iwan Roberts who has been trying to overcome a troublesome knee injury and managed to pass a fitness test this week. Winger Simon Sullivan and hooker Danny Munro, who both missed Wrexham's last game against Champions Llangefni three weeks ago due to illness, return to bolster the squad.

Hywel Raymond, whose skiing holiday forced him to miss the defeat by Llangefni, returns to the centre alongside the powerful Paul Mizzi. Both scored for the Wrexham and Powys Rhinos in their recent midweek victory over the Gwynedd Eagles and are reported to be in fine form. 

Caernarfon defeated Wrexham on three occasions in cup and league competition last season and followed this up with an emphatic 45-24 victory over them last September. The Gwynedd side made a determined challenge for the Divison Five North Championship in the first part of the season but fell away when 
they hit a patch of poor form around Christmas.

They currently occupy a safe fourth place in the table but are still on the slide, having been defeated 45-24 at home by Rhyl in their last league game. Wrexham must try to exploit any lack of confidence or deficiency in the Caernarfon camp and turn it to their own advantage.

The psychological problem which John Roberts' side must overcome is bound up in their inability to win on their own ground. The 34-10 defeat of Newtown in November has been their sole home victory this season, although they have won away on six occasions in league and cup competition.

A morale boosting defeat of Caernarfon would inspire them for next week's visit to bottom club Bethesda and the final home games against Pwllheli and Mold. A reverse against the Gwynedd would be too painful to contemplate as it could leave them stranded at the bottom of the division. 

Wrexham Seconds can overtake Flint Firsts and retain the North East Wales Division One Championship if they can win or draw against Denbigh Seconds at Bryn Estyn Road tomorrow afternoon. They will miss the unavailable number eight Carl Turner and hooker Dave Green but should still have enough petrol in the tank to go the distance and overcome the visitors (k.o. 2.30pm). 

The Division Two Championship is still very open with four clubs still in contention for the title. Two of those clubs, Rhos Seconds and Wrexham Thirds, meet at Bryn Estyn Road tomorrow in what promises to be a keenly contested game, the loser of which will be unable to catch current leaders Llangollen. 

Wrexham Youth are also in action at Bryn Estyn Road where they take on Bala in a North Wales Youth Cup first round game. Michael Powell's side has already defeated Bala in two friendly games this season and will probably fancy their chances of starting a good cup run after a recent 38-7 success against Denbigh in the league. 

In Mini and Junior Rugby, Greystones, the Irish club which used to make an annual pilgrimage to Wrexham to take part in the prestigious International Sevens Tournament, will visit Bryn Estyn Road tomorrow to take on home teams at Under 9, 10 and 12 level (k.o.3.00pm). 

On Sunday morning, the Wrexham Mini and Junior Rugby Section will host an inter district game between North Wales and Afan Nedd at Under 12, 13, 14 and 16 levels. Over 100 visiting players from the Neath and Port Talbot area will participate in this eagerly awaited event (k.o. 11.00am). Wrexham mini rugby teams will visit Mold for a series of challenging games on the same morning.

Former Wrexham winger Iolo ap Dafydd, who scored 23 tries for the club in the 1987/88 season, has been working for BBC Wales in Kuwait and Southern Iraq during the current Gulf War. He is their overseas news correspondent and has reported on the progress of the Queen's Dragoon Guards, better known as the Welsh Cavalry, who include soldiers from the Wrexham area. 

29/03/03 Report

Wales collected their first wooden spoon in eight years following a 33-5 defeat by France in Paris. It started brightly enough with Wales dominating the first 15 minutes and delivering a courageous display that earned them a try by winger Gareth Thomas after only five minutes had elapsed. 

Minutes later, the Cardiff wing Craig Morgan raced on to a lengthy punt from outside-half Stephen Jones and showed France's Aurelien Rougerie a clean pair of heels in pursuit of the bouncing ball. Morgan won that chase but, in attempting to ground the ball, he clearly knocked on and the video referee signalled no try. 

When France roused themselves soon afterwards, however, that old thorn in the side Thomas Castaignede stole a try and Wales were forced to defend thereafter. Coach Steve Hansen was obviously disappointed with the result but admitted that his initial depression had given way to hope and expectation. " I think we are making progress and I honestly believe that, within a couple of years, we might be there," he added. 

Wrexham Firsts didn't play on Saturday, but the Seconds enjoyed a victorious trip to Vicars Cross where they whitewashed Chester Thirds by 51-0. Their backs were in excellent form and they maintained their discipline to lead by 22-0 at half-time before they opened up again after the break to score a total of nine tries.

James Wrathall grabbed a hat-trick from the full-back position, Peter Dougan and John Roberts notched a brace of scores apiece while Andy Perrin and Dean Griffiths weighed in with a try apiece. Conversions were shared between Carl Pugh (2) and skipper Kevin Davies. 

Wrexham Thirds found the going tougher against Chester Veterans at the same venue and eventually  succumbed to a 14-28 defeat. Anthony Lang touched down for the visitors' first try and James Bellis maintained his superb scoring form with a single try in the second-half. Lang slotted both conversions.

In Mini and Junior Rugby, the Under 13's powered to an outstanding 29-7 victory over a well drilled Wirral side at Bryn Estyn Road. Jake Edwards claimed a hat-trick of tries, Gwyn Edwards followed up with a smart brace of scores and Kieron Morris added two conversions29/03/03 Preview

Wrexham Firsts will enjoy another break from fixtures tomorrow to watch Wales play their final game in the 2003 Six Nations Championship against France at the Stade de France in Paris (kick-off at 1.00pm). 

Wales have emerged as winners in each of their previous visits to the new stadium and will start tomorrow's game with confidence following their improved showing against the Grand Slam chasing Irish at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff last Saturday. Only an injury-time drop goal by the Munster outside-half Ronan O'Gara rescued Ireland from their first defeat in the capital for 18 years. 

France demolished Italy by 53-27, a record score for a championship game, at the Stadio Flaminio on Sunday afternoon and will be keen to make up for defeats by Ireland and England to finish in third place in this year's competition. Wales have lost all of their games so far and will be going all out to secure a victory that will enable them to avoid the wooden spoon.

Although the French will field a formidable side on what is becoming a successful ground for them, Wales have grown stronger and stronger with every game and should meet their hosts on fairly level terms. The visitors will also wish to finish the competition on a high note in preparation for their 2003 World Cup challenge in Australia later this year. 

Wrexham Seconds and Thirds expect to watch the televised game at Chester Rugby Club before they take the field at Vicars Cross to play friendly cross-border games against Chester Thirds and Fourths (k.o. 3.00pm). The Firsts may train at Bryn Estyn Road to maintain their level of fitness before the final part of their season commences with a home game against Caernarfon next week.

In Mini and Junior Rugby, the mini rugby sides will train with the Under 13's and 15's at Bryn Estyn Road on Sunday morning while the Under 14's take on Oswestry at the same venue (k.o.10.30am).

Once the Six Nations Rugby Championship has been completed, Wrexham Firsts will be able to concentrate without any interruption on completing their Division Five North Championship campaign and avoiding the threat of relegation which has been constant since Christmas. 

Next Saturday's home game will be followed by a visit to bottom club Bethesda and then further home games against relegation candidates Pwllheli and local rivals Mold. There is no doubt that each game will be hotly contested and that Wrexham will have to play with the utmost passion and skill to come out on top. 

The latest news from the Wrexham camp is that skipper John Roberts is suffering from an arm injury which he sustained in the recent game against Llangefni and then aggravated whilst playing for the Rhinos XV in the North Wales Provincial Championship. This week's rest should help him to recover but he will have to pass a fitness test before he can lead his side against Caernarfon next week.

Several other players represented the Wrexham and Powys Rhinos in their 36-20 victory over the Gwynedd Eagles at Welshpool last week, including centres Paul Mizzi and Hywel Raymond who grabbed a try apiece. It was a very competitive game but all of the Wrexham players, other than John Roberts, came through unscathed and raring to resume their league programme. 

In Mini and Junior Rugby, the Under 13's travelled to Waterloo on Merseyside and stormed into a 14-5 lead before the home side piled on replacements in the warm conditions and, despite dogged resistance by the hard working visitors, turned the tables to win by 50-19. Gwyn Edwards claimed a superb hat-trick of tries and Jamie Morris landed two conversions.

There was a fear last week that the mini and junior programme throughout North Wales would have to be cancelled because clubs were unable to supply qualified referees for these games and therefore would not be insured by the Welsh Rugby Union. However, a compromise agreement has been reached between the Welsh Rugby Union and the referees organisation allowing the programme of games to proceed until the end of this season. 

Provided that games are refereed by persons who have regular experience of refereeing matches at this level and the names of these people are supplied to Austin Thomas, the WRU Director of Rugby for North Wales, the WRU and their insurers will insure the named persons until the end of this season even though they are not officially qualified.

For next season all referees will have to be qualified by examination. A plan is being put together by Austin Thomas whereby the six WRU County Development Officers operating in North Wales will hold the names of mini and junior referees on their databases and will appoint qualified referees to officiate at specific games. 

The next referees level 1 course will be held at Colwyn Bay on Sunday 27th April between 9.00am and 4.00pm and attendance is expected to be very high bearing in mind the latest developments regarding insurance cover for referees. Further courses are planned in May and throughout the summer. 

The date for Wrexham Rugby Club's Annual Dinner and Presentation of Awards evening has been set for Friday 9th May 2003 at Bryn Estyn Road. 22/03/03 Preview

The stop-start phase of the rugby season continues tomorrow with all eyes focused on the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff where Wales take on a confident Irish side which is aiming for a Six Nations Grand Slam decider against England in Dublin on Sunday 30th March.

Wrexham Firsts will join all of the other Division Five North clubs in taking a rest from the rigours of playing rugby to concentrate on supporting Wales from the comfort of their armchairs or travelling to Cardiff to cheer for their hard pressed heroes (kick-off at 2.00pm). 

Wales performed well on their summer tour to South Africa and their autumn internationals against Romania, Fiji, Canada and New Zealand, but they have lost all of their Six Nations Championship games and face a wooden spoon whitewash unless they can win their remaining games against Ireland and France. 

Ireland have not lost in Cardiff since 1983 and the professionalism and self belief in Brian O'Driscoll's side should see them extending their unbeaten run in the Welsh capital to 18 years. They showed how fiercely motivated they are in defeating the French by 15-12 in Dublin a fortnight ago and admit that Cardiff holds no real fears for them.

Wales lost to Scotland by 22-30 in Edinburgh where they created enough opportunities to win but lacked the composure to take them and impose themselves on the spluttering Scots. They missed their injured skipper Jonathan Humphreys who is a steadying influence and is expected to return at hooker against Ireland.

Tomorrow, Wales will have to come out of their blocks quicker than they did at Murrayfield and will have to play with a commitment and a passion that tells the crowd they are honoured to be representing them. The Irish, however, are overwhelming favourites to win and should have enough in reserve to keep on course for their first Grand Slam since 1948. 

Wrexham Seconds and the Under 19's will enjoy a rest day tomorrow but the Thirds will be in action at Bryn Estyn Road against Mold Thirds in a North East Wales Division Two game (k.o.12.30pm). 

In Mini and Junior Rugby on Sunday morning, the mini rugby teams will train at their headquarters in Bryn Estyn Road while the Under 13's, 14's and the unbeaten Under 15's will travel to Shrewsbury for what should be a series of keenly contested cross-border games (k.o. 10.30am). 

15/03/03 Report

WREXHAM 10 LLANGEFNI 38

Llangefni, Champions of Division Five North, kept up the pressure on current leaders Nant Conwy with a comprehensive defeat of a weakened but plucky Wrexham side on a fast running pitch at Bryn Estyn Road.

Unlike last season, when Wrexham recorded a shock victory over the Islanders with a top performance by their pack, the forward battle had been lost by the end of the first-half when the scores were level at 10-10, and the visiting backs feasted on a wealth of possession to put the issue beyond doubt with four tries after the break. 

Mike McLeod passed a late fitness test to take his place in the second-row, but the late withdrawal due to sickness of hooker Danny Munro and winger Simon Sullivan plus the unavailability of centre Hywel Raymond left Wrexham looking disjointed and with a mountain to climb. 

Using the wind at their backs in the first-half, however, the home side opened their account in the 6th minute when outside-half Richard Lloyd chipped over the defence from half-way and collected the loose ball to score to the right of the uprights. Full-back Kerry Powell slotted the conversion and hopes quickly soared that Wrexham could repeat their success of last season. 

Five minutes later, Llangefni attacked down the right hand side and a Wrexham player conceded a needless penalty. The confident visitors spurned the chance to kick and opted for a tap penalty which proved successful as their powerful lock Alex Morrison drove through several weak tackles to score in the corner. 

The Champions soon edged in front with a superb try by winger Iwan Davies from a swift threequarter movement. Wrexham stirred themselves and stretched the visitors with some good passing by scrum-half Daniel Cheesbrough and pressure play by the forwards in the Llangefni 22, but mistakes cost them dear and they had to be content with a Powell penalty that tied the scores. 

Wrexham pressed at the start of the second-half and went close with efforts from centre Chris Andrew and flanker Mike Ward. They were still attacking in the 45th minute when Llangefni flanker Will Bown won a line-out in his own half and broke away to hand off tacklers and score under the posts, outside-half Vince Kiernan adding the extra points. 

Kiernan soon followed this up with two penalties to put his side in the driving seat and, despite some keen defensive work by flanker Mike Jones and a brave counter-attacking performance by Powell, the tries soon flowed from winger Ioan Davies, scrum-half Arwel Roberts and the impressive Bown who notched his second touchdown of the game. 

Pwllheli and Rhyl, two of the four clubs which had shared bottom place before Saturday won their contests, leaving Wrexham to share bottom place with luckless Bethesda. Dave Cheesbrough's side can still escape relegation if they win at least two of their remaining four league games. 

Wrexham Youth Team defeated Denbigh by 38-7 at Bryn Estyn Road to claim their first league victory in North Wales Youth Division One. John Ireland and Scott Davies managed a brace of tries apiece, Mark Gasson and Jason Tomlinson grabbed further scores and John Gormley kicked four conversions.

Wrexham Seconds didn't manage to find a replacement game after Ellesmere Port Seconds withdrew from their scheduled fixture on the Wirral, but the Thirds visited Whitchurch Fourths for a cross-border friendly and pulled off an inspired 89-0 success. 

Man of the Match Lee Barnes-Roberts notched a personal tally of 33 points with five tries and four conversions while the ever reliable James Bellis touched down four times. The rest of the tries came from Ross Roberts (2), Mark Lloyd (2) Steve Jarvis and Dave Leadbitter while Jarvis, Lloyd and skipper Sean Williams landed a conversion apiece. 

15/03/03 Preview
Wrexham are at near full strength for tomorrow's vital home game against the Division Five North champions Llangefni, the result of which could have a bearing on who wins this year's Championship and who is relegated to Division Six (kick-off at 2.30pm). 

Llangefni will arrive at Bryn Estyn Road with every intention of securing a win to overtake current leaders Nant Conwy as the competition reaches its climax. Wrexham, who occupy bottom place with Rhyl, Bethesda and Pwllheli, need to win to pull clear of the drop zone. 

Centre Chris Andrew, who overcame a career threatening injury to return to the side this season, is set to make his 60th senior appearance, and Geraint Davies has been selected to prop up the front row in the continuing absence of Iwan Roberts who is suffering from a knee injury. 

There is some doubt over the fitness of lock Mike McLeod and he will have to pass a late test to make sure that his back can stand up to the rigours of a highly competitive match. Coach Dave Cheesbrough is keen to rotate his players within the squad and Gareth Noon could deputise for McLeod if needed with Mike Jones returning to the back-row.

Wrexham created a minor shock when they defeated Llangefni by 24-19 in the corresponding game at Bryn Estyn Road last season, although the Islanders eventually went on to win the Championship. The win proved to be a turning point for relegation threatened Wrexham and they saved themselves by following up their outstanding success with a string of victories. 

Mike McLeod was a two try hero in that hectic game, during which the lead changed hands four times. Llangefni could have won it at the death following an interception, but the ball carrier thought that he was in the clear and failed to appreciate the closing pace of Wrexham winger Matthew Cox who caught him just short of the home line. 

Wrexham won that game because they dominated the forward battle for most of the 80 minutes and prevented the dangerous Llangefni backs from playing to their usual pattern. The same approach will have to be used in tomorrow's encounter as the visiting backs have been scoring freely again this season and are brimming with confidence. 

Winger Ioan Davies has bags of pace and has built up an impressive try tally this term. Iwan Davies on the other wing is not far behind him and centre Rhodri Gray has also troubled defences on a regular basis. They warmed up for tomorrow's game with a comprehensive 27-0 victory over Mold, all of their points coming from their threequarters. 

Coach Dave Cheesbrough was satisfied with his team's last performance at Rhyl a fortnight ago where they claimed a last gasp 21-20 victory, thanks to a try by replacement centre Hywel Raymond. Rhyl threw everything at them for most of the second-half but the visitors defended well and gave away very few penalties before coming back at the end in atrocious conditions. 

The spirit is high in the Wrexham camp and they trained well this week. They know that that the stakes are high in tomorrow's game and that it will take a special performance to upset the champions in their quest to retain their title.

Winning the forward battle and a solid defensive performance will be the key to a Wrexham success tomorrow but the pace of players like winger Simon Sullivan and centre Hywel Raymond added to the try scoring ability of skipper John Roberts could lead to some long awaited celebrations at Bryn Estyn Road. 

Wrexham Seconds visit Ellesmere Port Seconds for a friendly fixture while the Thirds will also cross the border for a game against Whitchurch Fourths. Wrexham Youth Team resume their league programme with a North Wales Youth Division One encounter against Denbigh at Bryn Estyn Road (k.o. 2.30pm).

In Mini and Junior Rugby, the minis will visit Ruthin for games at all levels against their traditional rivals on Sunday morning. The Under 13's will train at Bryn Estyn Road while the impressive Under 14's and 15's will travel to Oswestry (k.o.10.30am). 

With the attention of players and supporters focused on the Six Nations Championship game between Wales and Scotland in Edinburgh, very few games were played in North Wales at the weekend. It was the same story at Wrexham but the players who didn't travel to Scotland trained hard at Bryn Estyn Road in preparation for tomorrow's top drawer game against Llangefni. 

Wales matched Scotland on try count in Edinburgh but failed to finish off some of their best moves and suffered a 30-22 defeat. A nasty looking ligament injury to full-back Kevin Morgan didn't help and Wales, who are unlikely to beat Grand Slam chasing Ireland at the Millennium Stadium next week, are now favourites to pick up the wooden spoon at the end of the competition. 

In Mini and Junior Rugby, the Under 14's suffered a 17-34 defeat at Bryn Estyn Road against a strong Denbigh side but the reshuffled home side deserved credit for their much improved performance with Hugh Evans claiming the man of the match award. Tries came from Paul Hughes (2) and Dan Roth 
while Luke Kavanagh kicked a conversion. 

09/0303 Preview

Wrexham are left without a fixture tomorrow afternoon on a very important day in the Welsh sporting calendar when Wales visit Edinburgh to play Scotland in the third round of the 2003 Six Nations Rugby Championship (kick-off at 4.00pm).

Both countries have lost their opening two encounters and Wales must beat a poor Scotland side tomorrow or face the prospect of picking up the wooden spoon by the end of the competition. Wales defied the critics to turn in a gutsy performance at the Millennium Stadium a fortnight ago before losing by 9-26 and, with the return of ace kicker Stephen Jones at outside-half, can progress a step further at Murrayfield. 

Following the determined performance which produced a last gasp 21-20 victory at Rhyl last Saturday, Wrexham have reported only minor injuries in the squad and have been training hard since for their big home game next week against Division Five North Championship contenders Llangefni. 

The situation in the lower half of the division is very tight at the moment with four clubs sharing bottom place on 16 points apiece, and four other clubs set to enter the danger zone if they falter in their next games. Newtown, Mold, Dolgellau and Llandudno had all looked relatively safe last month but the resurgence of Wrexham and Pwllheli, allied to winning performances from the top clubs, has created an intriguing situation with only five games left. 

Wrexham have won three out of their last five league games, all of them away, and should now hold an advantage in playing four of their remaining games at home. They defeated Llangefni at Bryn Estyn Road when they found themselves in a similar situation last season and can do so again if they can play well and contain Llangefni's free scoring threequarters. 

They have ability to win their other homes games against Caernarfon, Pwllheli and Mold but will have to play out of their skins to do so. Sandwiched between these games is the difficult challenge of defeating Bethesda at their mountain stronghold where the Gwynedd side has a good record and a vociferous local following. 

In this season's competition, the bottom club will be relegated to Division Six North automatically and the second from bottom club will enter a play-off for a place in Division Five against the runners up in DivisionSix. In many  ways, the future is in the players hands and that is why skipper John Roberts and his comrades will be working very hard in training this week to top up the level of improvement which they have displayed since early January. 

In Mini and Junior Rugby, the Under 14's will visit Newtown for a game on Sunday morning while all of the other sides will train at Bryn Estyn Road  (k.o. 10.30am). 

01/03/03 Report

RHYL 20 WREXHAM 21

Centre Hywel Raymond rescued Wrexham with a dramatic injury time try in a downpour at Rhyl and helped them to a deserved victory that puts them level with Bethesda, Pwllheli and Rhyl on 16 points apiece at the bottom of the Division Five North table.

Having led by 16-3 just after the start of the second-half, Wrexham looked in control until prop Rob Pierce was sin-binned for 'killing the ball' and then his replacement Danny Munro joined him briefly on the sidelines
for committing a similar offence. Rhyl took advantage and overtook the visitors with only minutes remaining but a last desperate comeback resulted in Raymond's match winning score.

Before the arrival of a belt of torrential rain, Wrexham made a determined start to the game and eased into a 6th minute lead when winger Simon Sullivan broke and jinked from the half-way line before handing over to
number eight Dean Griffiths who set up a neat try near the posts for skipper John Roberts. Full-back Kerry Powell added the extra points with a fine conversion.

Rhyl countered with the power in their forwards and pace in their threequarters that stretched the visitors fully and it took some resolute defending by the whole side to prevent a home try. A penalty by outside-half 
Matt Anwyl brought Rhyl some reward for their best efforts but it was soon cancelled out by a brace from Powell as Wrexham forced the pace again. 

Lock Mike McLeod, his hair a bright shade of yellow, stood out for his excellent work in the line-out and his rampaging drives in the loose. Pierce also showed up well in the close exchanges and outside-half
Richard Lloyd gave a master class with his superb tactical kicking. 

Leading by 13-3 at the break, the visitors went further ahead with another Powell penalty in the 41st minute. Then it became 'all hands to the pumps' as Sullivan had a relieving kick charged down, Powell rescued but
Rhyl camped in the Wrexham 22. 

When Pierce was sent to the sin-bin in the 47th minute, Anwyl kicked an easy penalty and Rhyl applied constant pressure. Lloyd relieved some of the pressure with accurate line kicks but Munro was then yellow
carded and the home side capitalised with an unstoppable try by replacement lock Andy Symmonds-Roberts under the posts. Anwyl quickly slotted the conversion. 

Rhyl seemed to revel in the quagmire and pounded away until the referee, unsighted at the time, awarded them a pushover try credited to hooker Chris Badhams in the 78th minute. What the official failed to spot was
Badhams dropping the ball before it could be grounded, but it mattered little to Wrexham as Anwyl kicked well to add a conversion that put Rhyl four points ahead. 

In a last desperate throw, McLeod and his forwards charged upfield in injury time and were awarded a penalty as the home forwards obstructed. More than three points were needed so the ball was quickly swept out from
left to right with Powell flighting a long pass to Raymond who made light of the conditions  to stretch his legs and score in the corner.

Four minutes of injury followed but Wrexham were in no mood to concede a hard won victory and celebrated a marvellous success by diving into the pools of rainwater which surrounded the Rhyl pitch.

Wrexham Seconds took over the Third Team fixture at Eagle near Warrington and pulled off an excellent 28-10 victory to avenge an early season defeat. James Wrathall, Carl Turner, skipper Kevin Davies and Mark Jones grabbed a try apiece with Ian Connell adding four conversions. 

Wrexham Youth team looked to be heading for their first league victory in the North Wales Youth League Division One at Colwyn Bay but conceded an injury time penalty and lost by 7-8. Jason Tomlinson claimed their try and man of the match Michael Powell added a conversion.01/03/03 Preview

Wrexham's game at Rhyl tomorrow promises to be a titanic struggle with the visitors trying to climb out of the Division Five North relegation zone and Rhyl aiming to halt their recent plunge towards the basement (kick-off at 2.30pm). 

Coach Dave Cheesbrough is able to name a strong squad, weakened only by the loss of his top try scoring prop Iwan Roberts who is suffering from a knee injury. Hooker Gareth Perrin is set to take over from Roberts with Danny Munro slotting into Perrin's berth.

The threequarter line looks impressive with Daniel Cheesbrough and Richard Lloyd working together at half-back for the third successive game and Hywel Raymond and Paul Mizzi claiming the centre spots. Kerry Powell continues to gain experience at full-back while Simon Sullivan will add pace down the left 
wing with skipper John Roberts applying power down the other. 

Wrexham currently lie in second from bottom place in the division, equal on match points to bottom club Pwllheli but ahead of them thanks to a better try count of two precious scores. A Pwllheli success tomorrow and a reverse for John Roberts' side at Rhyl would result in Wrexham hitting rock bottom but success at The Waen could see Wrexham pulling up two places in the table with the prospect of four home games to come. 

Rhyl won the corresponding encounter at Bryn Estyn Road by 28-22 last October after the home side wasted numerous chances and eventually ran out of steam. Their final piece of bad luck came when Iwan Roberts dropped the ball as he dived over by the posts to score what could have been the match winner. It proved to be the last straw for coach Ross Roberts who announced his retirement immediately after the game.

Fortunes have gradually improved since then as players have trained on a more regular basis and new coach Dave Cheesbrough has introduced enough stability to halt a succession of defeats. Wrexham have lost only one of their last four league games and their two victories have been achieved away from home. 

They were in a similar position last season after losing their home game against Rhyl and then battling to avoid relegation to Division Six North. They travelled to Rhyl at the beginning of March, conceded 15 points without reply in the first-half but powered back to secure a 22-15victory that eventually helped them to preserve their status in the topflight of rugby in North Wales.

As the start of the Six Nations Rugby Championship has disrupted the rugby programme throughout North Wales, and Wrexham haven't played for two weeks, Dave Cheesbrough took his side to Ruthin for a Thursday evening work-out and was pleased with the result. No injuries were reported, several up and coming players were tried and the squad gained valuable match practice against one of the top three clubs in the Region. 

Tomorrow, Wrexham should have enough power in their pack to contain a strong Rhyl eight but they will have to defend well against home backs like centre Tim Wasdell and winger Mark Holt who can fashion tries out of nothing. It is a game which the visitors must win, and bags of passion and a little pace from players like winger Simon Sullivan should earn them a precious victory. 

Wrexham Seconds are looking for a suitable friendly game from the local fixture pool to fill a blank date while the Thirds visit Eagle Seconds hoping to make up for the 41-17 pasting which they received in the corresponding fixture at Wrexham last November. 

Wrexham Youth Team visit Colwyn Bay with high hopes of claiming their first victory of the season in the North Wales Youth League Division One. Wrexham  lost at Bryn Estyn Road by 33-40 a few weeks ago after running out of steam, but they have won twice in friendly matches since then and should give a much improved performance this time (k.o. 2.30pm). 

In Mini and Junior Rugby, the minis travel to Denbigh for games at all levels against stiff competition, while the junior rugby sides will enjoy home advantage in their games against the same club on Sunday morning (k.o. 10.30am). 

Wrexham Thirds were the only side in action last weekend and they made the best of it as they cruised to a 55-10 victory over Mold Thirds in a North East Wales Division Two game at Chester Road. This latest success enabled them to close on the leading duo of Llangollen and Corwen and there is still a chance that they may win the Championship for the first time in four years. 

James Bellis notched a hat-trick of tries, Paul Hughes claimed a smart brace and Gareth Perrin, Steve Jarvis, Rhodri Davies and Kerry Powell grabbed a try apiece. Powell added 4 conversions, Dave Beckett slotted one and skipper Sean Williams praised newcomer James Evans who made an impressive debut at hooker when he replaced Jarvis in the second-half.

The game was watched by Stuart Pomeroy, the prop forward whose leg injury led to the abandonment of the original game when it was played last November.  Pomeroy is making steady progress, can now walk without crutches and was the guest of honour at a players get together after the game.

22/02/03 Rugby

Wrexham players and supporters will join a multitude of rugby followers from North Wales traveling to Cardiff for tomorrow's Six Nations Championship game between Wales and England, the highlight of the rugby calendar in Wales (kick-off at 5.30pm). 

Wales under performed in their shock 30-22 defeat by Italy at the Stadio Flaminio in Rome last Saturday but, with their backs to the wall in their Millennium Stadium home and featuring several key changes in the side, are expected to raise the level of their game against the 'old enemy'. 

The remnants of the Wrexham squad left at home will either train or play an inter-club game at Bryn Estyn Road prior to the late start of the international match. They are keen to maintain their match fitness because they need to resume their league campaign with a win at Rhyl next week if they are to have any chance of pulling away from the relegation zone in Division Five North.

One player who will not be joining in the training session is top try scorer Iwan Roberts who damaged knee ligaments at Llandudno a fortnight ago and has been forced to rest. The damage to his knee is not as bad as originally feared, however, and Roberts should be able to return in a month's time to finish the season and to try to hold on to his top scoring title. 

Replacing the experienced prop has been a difficult task for coach Dave Cheesbrough as the natural choice Robbie Jones has been required by the Army for the last two months and Geraint Davies is still banned from playing after being sent off at the beginning of the season. The emerging prop Nick Perrin, who has played two games for the senior side this season, may receive a call-up from the Seconds.

Winger Simon Sullivan has been keeping himself in top condition during the international layoff by playing in two friendlies for the lower sides. He maintained his scoring touch by grabbing a try for the Seconds in their demolition of Wirral Thirds and should prove to be a useful weapon in Cheesbrough's armory when the First XV visit Rhyl. 

Wrexham Youth Team visit Llanrwst tomorrow to play Nant Conwy in a Dragons Trust North Wales Youth League game that they can win if they perform as well as they have done in recent weeks. Adam Jones retains the outside-half berth while Phil Williams will provide the driving power in the second-row of the pack (k.o. 2.00pm). 

Wrexham Thirds visit Mold Thirds to play a rearranged North East Wales Division Two league game that was abandoned last November when Wrexham prop Stuart Pomeroy suffered a broken leg and had to be taken to hospital. The Mold team is also organising a function prior to the Wales v. England international match with Pomeroy invited as guest of honour.

All of the mini and junior rugby teams will train at Bryn Estyn Road on Sunday morning as they enjoy a brief respite from a packed fixture programme. Their thoughts will be concentrated on next week's games against Denbigh who are very competitive at this level of the game (k.o. 10.30am). 

Wrexham Youth Team overcame Deri Under 17's by 19-5 in a well contested game at Bryn Estyn Road last Saturday. The tourists from the Rhymney Valley in South Wales went behind to an early try by number eight Jason Tomlinson and a conversion by full-back John Gormley but were desperately unlucky not to score from several flowing back moves in the second quarter. 

The home side soaked up the pressure and bounced back with fierce forward drives by prop Danny Seabrook and the in-form Tomlinson before Gormley jinked and ran 30 metres to notch an unconverted try which stretched Wrexham's lead to 12-0 at the break. 

Deri came storming back at the start of the second-half but mistakes ruined their best efforts and outside-half Adam Jones and Gormley combined to get Wrexham out of trouble with some relieving touch finding kicks. Gormley added a converted try in the third quarter but Deri had the final word as centre Kier Ennis finished off an electrifying break with a consolation try in the corner.

The Seconds romped to a 45-0 home victory over Wirral Thirds with Dave Green grabbing a rare brace of tries. Gareth Noon, Simon Sullivan, John Darlington and Carl Gatrell were the other try scorers while Ian Connell converted a penalty try and added four more conversions. There was a welcome appearance 
at number eight in the pack by former coach Graham Williams.

In Mini and Junior Rugby, the Under 12's lost a keenly contested match against Afon Dee by 5-8 on try count at Bryn Estyn Road. Matthew Bates claimed a hat-trick of tries with single scores coming from Shaun Strudwick and Ethan Bishop. The Under 11's pulled off a stirring 47-5 victory at Crewe.

The Under 10's were beaten by 2-1 in a very close game but the Under 9's won by 7-4 at Crewe, Nia Williams grabbing a superb hat-trick of tries. They also defeated Afon Dee by 6-3 with scores from Ashley Salisbury (2), Nia Williams (2) Shaun Ferrari and Tom Lloyd-Jones. The Under 8's pulled off a 5-2 victory thanks to 4 touchdowns from man of the match Edward Evans. 

Arrangements for the Wrexham Rugby Club playing tour to South Africa in May are well advanced and a Quiz Night will be held at the club tonight to raise funds so that the tourists can present gifts of playing strip and equipment to young emerging black players. The evening commences at 8.00pm and there will be a cash prize for the quiz winners.

Sponsorship Co-ordinator Darrell Hughes has also organised a raffle for tickets to watch the forthcoming Sale Sharks v. Leeds Tykes Premiership game at Sale. 

Matches for the tourists have been arranged against Blades Rugby Club and Retreat Rugby Club in the Cape Town area, and specialist training sessions will also be given to the young players at these emerging clubs to encourage the development of the game in disadvantaged areas

 15/02/03 Six Nations Preview

Wrexham will have a two week break from their relegation worries while they concentrate on supporting Wales in the 2003 Six Nations Rugby Championship, the opening game being staged tomorrow afternoon at Rome's Stadio Flaminio where Wales take on Italy (k.o.1.30pm).

As many players and supporters will travel to Cardiff next weekend for the big game at the Millennium Stadium against England, Wrexham's next league game will not take place until Saturday 1st March when they visit Rhyl for a relegation battle that both clubs can't afford to lose.

Wrexham's failure last week to conquer a faltering Dolgellau side has enabled bottom club Pwllheli to catch them up in the league table so that the clubs now have 13 league points apiece with Wrexham occupying the second from bottom berth, courtesy of a better try scoring record. Rhyl and Bethesda lie immediately above with a 3 point advantage over the bottom clubs. 

The task of avoiding relegation to Division Six North is not insurmountable with Wrexham enjoying home advantage in their six remaining league games, but they are still playing within themselves and are not displaying the passion and confidence that is needed to stage a late winning run and which arch 
rivals Pwllheli look close to achieving. 

Welshpool, relegated from Division Five North with Bangor last term, have adjusted well after recovering from the disappointment of being demoted and are challenging with Bala and Denbigh for promotion to the top flight in North Wales. Wrexham could do the same if relegated and would find easy pickings to restore their confidence against clubs like Bro Ffestiniog, Llanidloes and Bangor University, balanced by challenging contests against Rhos and Colwyn Bay. 

For the moment, however, coach Dave Cheesbrough will continue to seek improvements in the style of play that will enable his players to unlock the massed defences that prevail these days. Pace is the key and pace helped winger Simon Sullivan, full-back Kerry Powell, centre Hywel Raymond and number eight Dean Griffiths to claim tries in recent games. All that is needed in addition is more passion and faster support work. 

Wrexham Seconds are scheduled to take on Wirral Thirds at Bryn Estyn Road in an early kick-off game tomorrow afternoon, but the game is likely to be cancelled as Wirral will probably choose to watch the televised England v. France game from Twickenham instead. 

Wrexham Thirds will visit Mold Thirds to play a rearranged North East Wales Division Two league game that was abandoned last November when Wrexham prop Stuart Pomeroy suffered a broken leg and had to be taken to hospital. The Mold team is also organising a function prior to the Italy v. Wales international match with Pomeroy invited as guest of honour. 

Marc Roberts, the WRU Development Officer for Wrexham, is running a Preliminary Coaching course at Wrexham Rugby Club on Sunday morning for anyone interested in starting a rugby coaching course at any level. Marc. can be contacted on 01978 317689. 

08/02/03 Report

WREXHAM 15 DOLGELLAU 15

Wrexham failed to produce the exciting form which gave them an outstanding success in their previous game at Llandudno and were left to play catch-up rugby after allowing Dolgellau to dominate the opening quarter of the game during which the visitors took their chances and built up a 10-0 advantage. 

Despite dominating most of the match territorially, the home side were still trailing by 5 points deep into injury time at the end of the second-half when replacement winger Simon Sullivan broke through a couple of tackles with his pace down the left wing and scored in the corner to level the scores. Full-back Kerry Powell had the chance to win the game with the conversion attempt, but it was a difficult shot and a gusting wind blew it off target. 

Outside-half Richard Lloyd had to use all of his tactical kicking skills to keep out a rampant visiting side in the opening minutes of the game, but pressure told by the 6th minute when number eight Dylan Llewellyn scythed 
through from a line-out to open the scoring for the Gwynedd side. Their outside-half Tim Redman added the conversion and soon followed this up with a penalty.

Wrexham started to show signs of interest in the contest when centre Paul Mizzi drove through the Dolgellau defense with a 30 metre run in the 10th minute. Good handling by scrum-half Daniel Cheesbrough gave the home side some momentum but the pack was clearly under pressure without the injured prop Iwan Roberts.

Two kickable penalties were spurned in favour of kicks to the corner which produced nothing before skipper John Roberts twice attacked towards the right and Dolgellau conceded a penalty in front of their posts when a player refused to release the ball in a tackle. Full-back Kerry Powell appeared to strike the ball well but it flew to the left in the wind and a golden chance was lost.

Dolgellau remained under the cosh for all of the second quarter of the game but Wrexham couldn't construct a score. Lloyd narrowly missed with a drop goal attempt at the start of the second-half before thrusts from Rob Pierce and John Roberts stretched the visitors and created the space for centre Hywel Raymond to beat two defenders and score near the left corner.

Powell added an excellent conversion from wide-out and Wrexham saw a glimpse of daylight at last. Dolgellau countered aggressively, however, and seemed to have clinched it in the 68th minute when former Wrexham Northern Counties prop Dai Arthur Owen drove through the Wrexham defence and set up a try for scrum-half Rob Atherton. 

Redman failed to convert and the home pack pounded away at the Dolgellau line to earn a penalty which Powell kicked to cut the arrears. Wrexham still continued to play within themselves and looked as though they would lose out until replacement winger Simon Sullivan stretched his legs down the left wing in the last movement of the game and produced that stunning leveller. 

One point was not enough, however, on a day when bottom club Pwllheli won again at home to share bottom place with Wrexham. Relegation threatened Llandudno eased their worries with a victory at Caernarfon but Rhyl and Bethesda both lost to confirm their entry into the relegation battle.

Wrexham Seconds moved one step closer to retaining the North East Wales Division One Championship with a 35-5 victory over Mold Seconds at Chester Road. Nick Stott, Alex Crewe, Mike Andrew, Ross Roberts and skipper Kevin Davies notched a try apiece while Darrell Hughes landed two penalties and Ian Connell and Dave Morris slotted one conversion apiece.

Wrexham Youth Team completed their first double of the season by producing a creditable 22-15 victory at Bala. Tries came from Adam Jones, Danny Seabrook and Mike Blackwell with two conversions and a penalty from John Gormley. 

The Thirds defeated Mold Thirds by 42-0 in a friendly at Bryn Estyn Road, thanks to four tries from James Bellis, a hat-trick of scores from Anthony Lang and a single touchdown from the irrepressible Lee Barnes-Roberts. Nick Clare added the only conversion. 08/02/03 Preview

Wrexham should have a good opportunity to ease their relegation worries with a home victory over visitors Dolgellau at Bryn Estyn Road tomorrow afternoon, provided that they can maintain their recent improvement and remain aware that the Gwynedd side upset the form book when they won by 42-10 at the same venue last season (kick-off at 2.30pm). 

Richard Lloyd, whose tactical kicking was a telling factor in Wrexham's hard earned victory at Llandudno last week, is retained at outside-half and flanker Dave Morris may be given a recall to the pack having been unavailable to play last Saturday.

Prop Iwan Roberts has been receiving treatment for a knee strain this week and will have to pass a late fitness test before he can be declared fit to play. The squad received good news this week when it was confirmed that utility threequarter James Plant and flanker Llyr Williams are back in contention after both completed a comeback game for the Seconds following long term injury. 

Wrexham were in poor shape when Dolgellau visited Bryn Estyn Road in November last season, but they were expected to win against a club that was slipping down the league table. Six tries from a spirited visiting side cut the home side to pieces as they paid the price for complacency. 

This season, the East Walians restored their pride by knocking Dolgellau out of the Principality Welsh Cup Competition with a 40-27 away victory in September, but they went back in October with high hopes of repeating their success, only to be beaten by 20-3.

Tomorrow afternoon, local rugby supporters will be keen to see their side display the exciting style which gave them an 18-0 lead after only 16 minutes of play at Llandudno. Some of the players did run out of steam after that action packed opening, but they showed plenty of steel during a hectic period when they were on the defensive and came back strongly at the end. 

A victory would allow Wrexham to leapfrog Llandudno into a more secure third from bottom place provided that the Seahorses fail in their league game. There is, however, a desperate scramble to escape relegation which also involves Rhyl and Bethesda, and Wrexham can't afford to slacken their resolve in these final crucial months of the season. 

Wrexham Seconds, the current North East Wales Division One Champions, will be tested thoroughly by third placed Mold Seconds in tomorrow's league contest at Chester Road. The Thirds entertain Mold Thirds at Bryn Estyn Road and will be trying to maintain the pressure on the Division Two leaders Llangollen and Corwen.

The Youth Team will visit Bala tomorrow with high hopes of completing their first double of the season, and on Sunday morning all of the mini and junior rugby sides will be in action at their Wrexham headquarters against teams from Afon Dee (k.o. 10.30am). 

01/02/03 Report

LLANDUDNO 15 WREXHAM 18

A stirring opening by Wrexham, during which they scored all of their points in 16 minutes of sustained and classy play, was followed by an impressive rearguard action and eventual victory over an aggressive Llandudno side. 

Mold did them a favour by defeating Pwllheli on the same afternoon, enabling Wrexham to escape from the bottom of Division Five North with the prospect of improving their position in the five home games to come in the run-in to the end of the season. 

The return of Richard Lloyd at outside-half and a stiff breeze at their backs stirred the visitors from the kick-off and they stunned Llandudno by taking the lead in the fourth minute with a fine debut try by Kevin Powell, the young full-back storming into the line to latch on to a slick pass from scrum-half Daniel Cheesbrough. 

They maintained the pressure after the restart and went further in front when lock Gareth Noon put the home defence under pressure with a high overhead kick and Powell coolly kicked a penalty to punish an infringement as Llandudno tried desperately to stem the red and green tide. 

More good work, with flankers Mike Ward and Mike Jones dominating the line-out, resulted in a 13th minute try for number eight Dean Griffiths who finished off a well rehearsed move. Powell added the conversion and kicked his second penalty only three minutes later when the Llandudno forwards fell offside. 

Inevitably, the momentum slowed as the second quarter of the game approached, however, and the home side countered by winning a stream of possession which they used to unleash their fast running backs. But mistakes littered their approach work and Llandudno abandoned their fast game plan to concentrate on 
a forward slog instead. 

Wrexham resisted well until the home pack won a scrum near the visitors line in the 36th minute and drove forward in search of a pushover try. They didn't manage to cross the line but were awarded a penalty try, converted by full-back Paul Algieri, because the referee ruled that a Wrexham prop had bored in illegally to prevent a touchdown.

Llandudno turned around at the break with the wind at their backs, confident that they could soon overcome Wrexham's 11 point advantage. They opened powerfully and scored after only four minutes when their outstanding number eight John Davies brushed off a couple of poor tackles and touched down wide-out on the right.

The former Wrexham kicker Algieri missed the conversion kick but made amends with a 61st minute penalty to cut the deficit to only three points. Wrexham managed to hang on grimly with Dean Griffiths doing the work of 3 men in the loose and Mike Ward working tirelessly, but it seemed to be only a matter of time before Llandudno would break through to win the game.

When the Seahorses made the mistake of replacing several key players and Wrexham moved the powerful John Roberts from the centre to scrum-half, however, the visitors finally saw some daylight and countered with attacks from Roberts, centre Paul Mizzi and winger Simon Sullivan.

It was just enough to unsettle the home side who proceeded to concede penalties and drop passes before the final whistle sounded to delight a very relieved but deserving Wrexham side. 

Wrexham Seconds continued their domination of North East Wales Division One with a 21-3 home victory over Abergele. Mike McLeod made his presence felt with a brace of tries, John Darlington maintained his excellent scoring form with another touchdown and Darrell Hughes kicked two penalties.

The Youth Team led Colwyn Bay by 24-7 at half-time in their North Wales Youth Division One game at Wrexham, but fell away in a windy second-half to lose by 33-40. Michael Powell, John Ireland, Matthew Sawin, Luke Pemberton and Phil Williams bagged a try apiece and John Gormley notched four conversions in a very open game.

Wrexham Thirds travelled to Warrington Thirds and led by 24-17 at the break before the Cheshire side piled on Second Team replacements and took over to win by 42-24. James Bellis and Evan Griffiths claimed a brace of tries apiece and Griffiths also slotted two conversions for good measure. 

In Junior Rugby, the successful Wrexham Under 15's side met their match at Widnes and fell to a 3-38 defeat. Skipper Glen Bellamy prevented the whitewash by landing a consolation drop goal

01/02/03 Preview

The return of outside-half Richard Lloyd to the Wrexham side which is due to visit Llandudno for a Division Five North basement tussle tomorrow afternoon could provide the inspiration which they need to claim a crucial away victory to move them off the bottom of the table (kick-off at2.30pm).

Former Youth Team flanker Mike Jones, newly returned to the club, has been pressing his claims in the successful Second Team for a senior berth in the Wrexham pack and is likely to be rewarded with a place on the replacements bench. Chris Andrew, who featured well as a late replacement in last week's defeat against league leaders Nant Conwy, will gain another chance to show 
his skills on the wing or at full-back.

Llandudno's unexpected 27-22 victory over Rhyl last week gave then a six point advantage over bottom club Wrexham in the league table, but Wrexham have a game in hand over the Seahorses and are entering a period when they will play four of their next five league games at Bryn Estyn Road. A victory at Maesdu Road tomorrow afternoon would certainly provide the spark for a 
successful relegation struggle over the next month. 

Tomorrow's opponents defeated Wrexham by 13-9 at Bryn Estyn Road this season and also tasted victory at their own ground by 45-24 last season. Wrexham notched four tries and led on three occasions in that memorable game at Maesdu Road but their overall fitness was poor and they ran out of steam to concede four tries in a dramatic closing quarter. 

Under their current coach Dave Cheesbrough, Wrexham are much better prepared at this stage of the season and will last the pace against a side which will pose problems for them behind the scrum. Llandudno will try their luck in the forward battle where prop Euros Garmon is a lively campaigner, but they always fancy their chances when attacking the Wrexham threequarter line.

Richard Lloyd was missed last week for his experienced direction and tactical kicking and his return tomorrow, together with the tackling power in the centre provided by moving Kerry Powell from outside-half to his best position, should give the visitors some strength in depth. Skipper John Roberts can be a handful down the right wing and Wrexham can win this game if they believe in their capability to do so. 

Wrexham Seconds should win their home game in North East Wales Division One against lowly Abergele to maintain their place at the top ofthe table. The Thirds visit Abergele Seconds for a friendly game while the Youth Team will be in action at Bryn Estyn Road against Colwyn Bay in a North Wales Youth Division One game (k.o.2.30pm). 

In Mini and Junior Rugby, the minis visit Crewe leaving the Under 13's and 14's to play Colwyn Bay at Bryn Estyn Road with the Under 15's, the most successful team, visiting Widnes. For those interested in starting a coaching career in rugby, the WRU Development Officer Marc Roberts will run a preliminary coaching course at Wrexham Rugby Club on Sunday 16th February. 
Contact 01978 317689 for further details. 

25/01/03 Report

WREXHAM 14 NANT CONWY 20

Wrexham returned to the foot of Division Five North after failing to defeat the league leaders on a day when all of their relegation
battle rivals won crucial games to ease their own worries. Pwllheli, previously bottom of the  table, put an end to Ruthin's Championship hopes with a 27-24 shock home victory in which they notched five tries.

At Bryn Estyn Road, Wrexham could have won this game after leading on two occasions, but careless play by their young backs handed back the initiative to the visitors and the home side found themselves with too big a mountain to climb in the final stages. 

They made an excellent start to the game and seized the lead in the fourth minute when prop Iwan Roberts forced his way over the line after lock Mike Ward had won the ball in a line-out. Outside-half Kerry Powell added the conversion as Wrexham took control with flanker Dave Morris having an outstanding game and scrum-half Paul Edwards sniping well behind the scrum. 

Nant, however, dug deep into their reserves and gradually applied pressure in the Wrexham half. When Powell had a relieving kick charged down in the 18th minute, the visitors raced through the gap to create a try for outside-half Peredur Ellis, a forward pass going unnoticed by the referee. Ellis also kicked the conversion which levelled the scores. 

Two minutes later, Nant launched a 15 man stampede inside the Wrexham half and cracked the defensive wall to score through centre Gareth Jones. Shell shocked Wrexham did well to recover and gave their long suffering supporters something to cheer about when number eight Dean Griffiths launched a thrust and centre John Roberts finished it off with a try under the posts. 

Powell added the conversion to put Wrexham into a 14-12 lead at half-time but Ellis turned the tables when he kicked a penalty ten minutes after the restart. Minutes later, Wrexham full-back James Wrathall was cornered as he attempted a risky dash out of defence and the Nant scrum-half Osian Roberts stole the ball from him before racing away to score anunconverted try.

Coach Dave Cheesbrough piled on replacements in an attempt to rescue the game although Nant were in no mood to concede further scores. Wrexham were presented with an excellent opportunity to win the game when their pack drove to the visitors posts with only 3 minutes remaining, but they failed to deliver the ball to the backs and their last chance was lost.

Wrexham Seconds maintained their position at the top of the North East Wales Division One Championship with a low key 17-7 victory over Rhyl Seconds at Bryn Estyn Road. John Darlington confirmed his excellent form with a brace of tries, Carl Pugh charged down a clearance kick for another score and Darrell Hughes kicked a conversion for the winners. 

The Thirds claimed a very special 36-14 victory at Corwen in Division Two, improving their chances of overtaking league leaders
Llangollen and second placed Corwen in the final stages of the competition. The Irishman with the unlikely name of Evan Griffiths claimed a personal tally of 26 points through  a try, 3 conversions and 5 penalties while Scott Davies and James Bellis 
managed a try apiece.

The scheduled Youth Team game at Bryn Estyn Road was called off when Pwllheli were unable to field a full side and the mini and junior rugby sides didn't have any games on Sunday as they trained instead. 25/01/03 Preview

Boosted by last week's victory at Newtown which rescued them from the bottom of the table in Division Five North, Wrexham face league leaders Nant Conwy at Bryn Estyn Road tomorrow afternoon determined to maintain their recent improvement in form (kick-off at 2.30pm). 

The loss of outside-half Richard Lloyd, who is unavailable for this match, will be a blow for John Roberts and his side, but they should still have enough firepower in the pack and threequarter line to mount a challenge against a well drilled Nant outfit.

Danny Munro, unavailable last Saturday, returns to strengthen the pack and there may be a place on the replacements bench for former Youth Team flanker Mike Jones who has recently returned to the club and played very well for the Seconds in their league victory over Afon Dee last week.

In the threequarters, there are doubts about the fitness of centre Hywel Raymond and winger Peter Dougan who had to be replaced due to injury at Newtown last week. They will have to undergo late fitness tests as will winger Simon Sullivan who has been sidelined by illness.

Wrexham lost by 3-20 at Nant Conwy in November because they failed to capitalise on a number of chances which were presented to them during a good competitive game. They took a 3rd minute lead with a Darrell Hughes penalty and dominated most of the first half without being able to add to their score. 

A stern lecture by the home coach resulted in a better performance by Nant in the second-half and they resorted to using the short snappy passing style that helped them win the Division Six North Championship in the previous season. Three tries followed in quick succession but Wrexham still finished the stronger side and should have picked up a couple of scores.

Coached by Dave Cheesbrough, Wrexham have improved their style of play gradually and are competing well with the top three sides in their Division. Nant will be desperate to win at Bryn Estyn Road tomorrow afternoon as they are locked in a keen battle for the Championship with title holders Llangefni and Ruthin.

Wrexham mustn't let slip their good work of recent weeks and return to the bottom of the table but must take advantage of their weight and height superiority in the pack to limit Nant's possession. This time John Roberts has the strength in his threequarter line to create a few problems for the league leaders and they may tip the balance in this enthralling encounter. 

Wrexham Seconds will line up against Rhyl Seconds in a North East Wales Division One encounter at Bryn Estyn Road and will be hoping to improve on the 13-10 success which they recorded at Rhyl last November (k.o. 2.30pm). 

The Youth Team will be in action against Pwllheli in North Wales Youth League game at Wrexham tomorrow afternoon while the Thirds will visit Division Two league leaders Corwen where they face a difficult task but are aiming to avenge a 17-21 early season home defeat.

In Mini and Junior Rugby, all age groups will train on Sunday morning in preparation for next week's full range of fixtures against teams from Crewe, Colwyn Bay and Widnes (k.o. 10.30am).

Following successful tours to the United States and Canada in recent years, plans are well advanced for a strong Wrexham squad to visit South Africa for a new tour in May. The tourists have already arranged to play Blades RFC and Retreat RFC, two emerging sides, and will also provide specialist training sessions for their younger players. 

Sponsorship Co-ordinator Darrell Hughes is looking for local sponsors to enable the tourists to present 'disadvantaged' South African sides with playing strip and equipment and is currently negotiating with a television company to produce a 'fly on the wall' documentary of the tour. 

18/01/03 Report

NEWTOWN 18 WREXHAM 26

Wrexham's winning double over Newtown and Pwllheli's defeat at Llangefni hauled the club off the bottom of the Division Five North table on a day when all of their four sides enjoyed the sweet taste of success. 

Led by skipper John Roberts, the sometimes criticised threequarter line played with fluency and conviction while lock Jason Griffiths was a tower of strength in a pack which improved as the game went on. The visitors led by 14-13 at the break, progressed to 26-13 and then withstood a Newtown onslaught in the final stages to claim a crucial victory that could spark a revival. 

The visitors took the lead in the 11th minute after full-back James Wrathall joined the line to launch a penetrating move and skipper John Roberts finished it off with a powerful trust which resulted in a fine try. Outside-half Richard Lloyd added the conversion but the home side quickly countered with a try by winger Mike Bellamore, converted by lock Neil Farrington.

Newtown enjoyed the better of the forward exchanges, despite the solid work by Griffiths, and applied bags of pressure before they went into the lead with a penalty by Farrington. More determined work by the home side produced another successful penalty and Wrexham must have felt that yet another game was about to drift away from them. 

The visiting backs were still in excellent form, however, and countered just before half-time with a gem of a try by scrum-half Paul Edwards. Lloyd's kicking had been good throughout the first-half and he made no mistake with the conversion to send Wrexham into a 14-13 lead at the break. 

Number eight Dean Griffiths came on as a replacement at half-time and inspired his pack to recover from their low key start. The visitors soon dominated possession and centre Paul Mizzi responded with a deserved try in the 51st minute followed by another touchdown by centre Hywel Raymond, converted by Lloyd at the start of the final quarter. 

Raymond was forced to depart due to the recurrence of a hamstring injury and winger Peter Dougan, playing his first senior game for nearly two years, also had to leave the field when he was injured again. As Kerry Powell came on as a replacement and the side was reorganised, Newtown seized their opportunity and came back strongly in the closing minutes.

Flanker Gareth Jones powered over for a score which reduced Wrexham's advantage to only eight points and then the home forwards piled on more pressure. Richard Lloyd kicked astutely, however, and, with Kerry Powell tackling superbly at the back, Wrexham were able to ease to a very important third league victory of the season. 

Wrexham Seconds completed their second league double of the season and maintained their firm grip on the North East Wales Division One Championship with a hard earned 22-13 success at Afon Dee, who were lying in fourth place in the table prior to the kick-off. Tries came from John Darlington, Mike Jones and Ian Connell who also landed a penalty and two conversions. 

The Thirds completed their second league double of the season when they overcame Afon Dee Seconds by 37-13 at Bryn Estyn Road. Skipper Sean Williams opened the scoring with a neat try before Gerry Darbyshire notched a superb brace of scores followed by a touchdown from Paul Hughes. Nicky Clare converted all four tries and added three penalties for good measure. 

The fast improving Youth Team enjoyed their first win since October when they defeated Rhyl by 34-21 in a friendly fixture at Bryn Estyn Road. Matthew Sawin and John Ireland grabbed a brace of tries apiece and Danny Seabrook forced his way over for his side's fifth try with John Gormley supplying three conversions and a penalty. 

In Mini and Junior Rugby, the successful Under 15's side continued their progress with a 26-7 home victory over West Park. Dafydd Rowlands (2), Glen Bellamy and Jamie Mee grabbed tries and Enion Edwards supplied the conversions. 

The Under 14's showed tremendous commitment against a crack West Park side at Bryn Estyn Road but still lost by 0-32. At Rhyl, however, the Under 13's whitewashed the home side by 57-0 with tries from Jake Edwards (3), David Blackwell (2), Wyn Edwards (2), Richard Greensmith and Aieran Morris who also kicked 6 conversions. 

The Under 11's gained a convincing 31-5 victory at Rhyl, thanks to tries from Dwayne Jones (2), Bren Harrison, Christian Chalk and Drew Wilkins. Dwayne Jones, Ashton Williams and Jack Griffith kicked a conversion apiece.

 11/01/03 Preview

Tomorrow afternoon's home game against local rivals Mold is a must win situation for Wrexham who are now bottom of Division Five North and are tarting to look more certain candidates for automatic relegation by the end of the season (kick-off at 2.00pm).

As well as an improvement in performance, coach Dave Cheesbrough is hoping that Lady Luck will come to his side's aid following a string of luckless defeats. None of the sides which have beaten Wrexham this term has won convincingly and it would be a sad loss to the Premier North Wales Championship if the Bryn Estyn based outfit were to bow out. 

Prop Rob Pierce, who has hardly ever missed a game since being promoted from the Youth Team three years ago, makes his 80th appearance in the front row where he will come up against his former team mate Rob Thatcher who is now a regular Mold First Team player. Otherwise, the pack is likely to be unchanged with Llyr Williams still injured. 

Outside-half Richard Lloyd has agreed with Cheesbrough to postpone his retirement from the senior side for several weeks until Wrexham have completed some