Fixture

It was a disappointing night for Flint falling at the last hurdle to reach the NW Intermediate Plate Final. Despite a tremendous effort by the players to travel down mid week to Newtown, it wasn't going to be their night and it was always going to be a hard task against a side riding high in the division below. On last nights evidence they will more than hold their own in division 2 next season.

Newtown opened the scoring with a penalty, then Flint hit back scoring from a well worked driving lineout near the Newtown line with captain Mitchell Martin getting the touchdown converted by flyhalf Tom Prydderch. Newtown hit back with a try of their own from a driving scrum 5 metres out from the Flint line. Newtown dominated this area of the game and Flint had no answer to their powerful scrum, this was the main difference between the two sides so much so that Newtown scored 2 more unanswered tries from their set piece and also kicked 2 penalties.

Despite the disappointing loss, Flint excelled in other parts of the game, 2nd row Josh Moss had an excellent game in the lineout securing good ball for his backs; hooker Owain Hedd Roberts battled well at the breakdown and had the scars to prove it after; the back row of Lawrence Rogers, Jamie Elder and skipper Martin played on the front foot throughout. 

Fullback Sam Parry was secure under the high ball and made made many a barn storming run into the Newtown half. Halfbacks Ryan Beck and Prydderch linked well to set up their three quarters. Centre and man of the match Kieran Jones showed great skill and vision, putting fellow centre Matt Harvey into positions where his electrifying pace caused havoc. Harvey was unlucky not to score more than his consolation try near the end which Prydderch converted.

Flint showed plenty of fight, determination and pride but were woefully out muscled in the set scrum, this needs to improve. The front row will look to make amends for their poor performance against their Newtown counterparts when they come up against Shotton in their rearranged league fixture next Wednesday 30th 7pm ko at Flint

Reported by Aled Davies