A BATTLING performance in a fully-deserved 24-3 away win over fellow Swalec Championship strugglers Glynneath enabled Newcastle Emlyn to clear the first hurdle in the Swalec Cup.

The Abernant Park strip passed a morning inspection and although underfoot conditions were atrocious and the pitch cut up badly long before the end both teams deserve credit for serving up entertaining fare..

An Emlyn win which avenged a 22-20 home defeat at the hands of their rivals in the league back in September will undoubtedly act as a morale booster and augurs well for what could be a crucial relegation battle at the same venue in April.

Alex Williams and colleagues are likely to face a far sterner test this Saturday when they go north to take on RGC 1404 at Colwyn Bay and attempt to reverse a 28-16 defeat at Ddol Wyber in October.

Head coach Marc Lloyd opted to ring the changes giving opportunities to a number of fringe players who acquitted themselves well and in particular outside half Mitchell Jones and flanker Gareth Thompson.

A boost for the Teifisiders was the return of flanker Gareth Patterson who caused the hosts problems galore with barnstorming runs.

Glynneath went ahead with their only points of the tie when the visitors conceded a penalty and centre Lloyd Thomas did the rest.

Impressive fullback Shaun Leonard caught the homesters napping with a tap penalty and went over for a try he duly converted.

As Glynneath strove to get back into contention visiting No. 8 Steven Leonard was immense in defence.

During the second period with flanker Gareth Thompson winning quality lineout ball for the visitors they began to dominate and were awarded a penalty try converted by No. 15 Leonard.

Another Leonard penalty gave Emlyn breathing space and as Glynneath opened up inside their own half replacement Emlyn flanker Gethin Davies set up scrum-half Mike Jones to race over for a try under the posts and Leonard added the extras.