Colwyn Bay's Simon Hughes remains in contention for the Fiesta SportingTrophy rally title with two rounds to go - but the youngster from Colwyn Bay suffered a disappointing end to a fine drive on the recent Mewla National Rally.  Driving his Furrows for Ford backed Ford Fiesta ST150, 23 year old Simon finished third on the event, keeping him within striking distance of the championship leaders with two rounds to go.Arriving in Builth Wells for the all tarmac affair, Hughes and his Berwickshire based co-driver Claire Mole were very confident of their chances in their privately run machine.  Hughes had taken a very convincing class win on this years Tour of Epynt Rally, which also used the fast tarmac roads of the Sennybridge mountains and the Epynt military base roads.  Knowing that he had a good pace note making technique and good speed at the venue, Simon was confident he could turn in a strong performance over the event's 12 special stages.After a steady start, Simon soon upped his pace to be running at the very sharp end of the leaderboard.  Hughes was locked into a strong and very close battle with rivals Kevin Davies, Mike Faulkner, and Chris Moore.  Tenths of seconds were covering the drivers on some of the stages, as Hughes moved gradually up the leaderboard to be within striking distance of leader Faulkner.  Hughes was relentless in his chase of the Scotsman, and going into the final stage of the rally, just four seconds stood between 1st and 2nd place.Hughes attacked, but barely a mile into the stage, a puncture on the Fiesta ST150 would rip off a brake line, leaving Hughes powerless to mount a sustained attack over the whole stage.  Damage limitation was called for, and Simon did just enough to take the final podium spot - despite being bitterly disappointed with the puncture coming at the worst possible time. 'It is the oldest phrase in the book - but that is rallying' said a disappointed Hughes.  'Given the pace of the leaders today, most people would have been delighted to have taken third - but I've got to say I'm frustrated by the result.  Our performance on the day was good, and we were not taking any risks.  Everything was fine inside the car.  The most annoying thing about the puncture is that we didn't even see what we hit - I could not tell you what it was that caused the tyre to go.  I took the same line as I'd taken all day - and next thing we were losing the brakes!  I'm disappointed as I felt we could have just nicked the win from Mike Faulkner, but it wasn't to be.  We have not had the luckiest of seasons so far, but with two rounds to go, then there is still all to play for.  We are not in the strongest of positions championship wise, but I have won a rally outright on the stages being used on the Park Systems Rally, so I'm going there with confidence.  Having Claire will be a great help as always, and we will be going flat out for the win and nothing else will do'.Hughes will not have to wait long to resume the season.  Only two weekends separate the Mewla and the Park Systems Rally, held in Newtown Stewart, Scotland.  The Scottish forests have a reputation for high speed gravel stages, where punctures can often cause havoc amongst competitors.  For Hughes it will hold no such fears.  He put in a sparkling performance to win the Galloway Hills Rally outright a couple of seasons ago, and the MSA British Rally Elite Academy member will be a man on a serious mission on September 9th.