Rugby round-up

DIGGING deep in the final quarter Crymych held out for a 34-31 win at Llangennech and moved up to fourth in League 1 West.

The game against third in the table Aberystwyth at Parc Lloyd Thomas a week on Saturday will arguably be the most important of the season for the Preselimen - a win would put them third with second-placed Llanelli Wanderers in their sights.

Despite upheavals behind the scenes with the three first team coaches Lyn Williams, Elgan Vittle and Carwyn Jones standing down, the north Pembrokeshire villagers turned in a first-rate team performance which augurs well for the remainder of the campaign.

It was backs to the wall for the visitors towards the end as the homesters hit back and scored a fifth try to earn a second bonus point.

Crymych led 17-5 after the opening 40 minutes, their points coming from two tries by centre Tomos Phillips, both converted by outside half Rhys Davies who also landed a penalty while fullback Ellis Phillips got an unconverted try for the hosts.

The fullback crossed for his second try early in the second period and also on the scoresheet were hooker Alex Jones who went in for a brace and Liam Jenkins with outside half Jonathan Griffiths converting three of the scores.

Winger Guto Harries ran in for two Crymych tries with Davies converting both and adding a penalty to earn his side a first-rate victory.

Pulling out the stops Newcastle Emlyn sprang a 24-20 win over fifth in the Championship table Bedlinog in South East Wales and moved seven points clear of the relegation zone.

The Teifisiders were dealt a blow during the warm-up when prop Gethin Davies picked up a leg injury and was replaced by Ceirion Evans.

And things got worse for the visitors playing up the slope and into the wind as home outside half Iain Smerdon landed three penalties.

Emlyn replied with a cracking try by lock Ryan Morgan after forwards and backs combined to set up the score converted by winger Daniel Davies.

Emlyn were forced to re-shuffle midway through the opening 40 minutes when impressive No. 8 Brynmor Jones was forced to retire with a groin injury.

Smerdon and Davies exchanged penalties before the former landed his fifth kick.

Classy Emlyn fullback Shaun Leonard burst into the line and put winger Llyr Jones in for an unconverted try wide out to make it 15-15 at the interval.

Early in the second period Davies landed a penalty and as Bedlinog applied pressure the visitors defended heroically with skipper Alex Williams leading by example.

Ryan Morgan was sin-binned for a scrummaging offence and while he was off the pitch home winger Gavin Payne went over for an unconverted try that put the hosts in front.

Emlyn restored the advantage in double quick time when Davies landed a penalty and with barely four minutes on the clock the talented Leonard dropped a goal from 30 metres.

Bedlinog strove to drive forward for a winning score but the Emlyn defence was rock solid and the visitors held out.

Cardigan led 25-13 during the second half in the Division 3 West A top of the table clash with Pembroke at Crickmarren.

But the Pembrokeshire Scarlets hit back to draw level and retain top spot.

Centre Emyr Harries put the visitors in front with a snap drop goal and the same player, along with lock Rob Connolly went over for tries, one of the scores converted by Luke Rogers.

Teenage scrum-half Tom Lewis got a try for Pembroke converted by Luke Hartland who also landed two penalties but the homesters trailed by two points at the break.

Impressive fullback John Lumb went over for a Cardigan try early in the second period, the score converted by Rogers who also landed a 45 metre penalty.

The Scarlets hit back with two tries by lock Don Colman, one converted by Hartland to earn a share of the spoils.