RUGBY PREVIEW

AFTER another break in fixtures for the autumn internationals Newcastle Emlyn of the Championship, League 1 West fourth-placed Crymych and Cardigan currently joint leaders of League 3 West A return to action on Saturday.

Emlyn took a big step towards safety on their latest outing with a hard-earned win over village club Bedlinog in South East Wales.

And the Red and Whites could climb the table with a fifth success of the season over Skewen at Dol Wyber which would set them up for a tough clash with Cardiff Met in the capital the following Saturday.

Seventh in the table Emlyn are one point in front of the visitors from Neath and a win would give them a buffer and hopefully for Red and White fans the impetus to go on and accumulate sufficient points that would make the return game at Tennant Park in April academic.

A sizeable crowd is expected at Parc Lloyd Thomas in Crymych where the Preselimen will try and leapfrog League 1 West third-placed Aberystwyth by completing a league win hat-trick.

The north Pembrokeshire rugby fraternity was shocked when Crymych head coach Lyn Williams and his assistants Elgan Vittle and Carwyn Jones stood down recently but the team responded positively when gaining a first-rate away victory over Llangennech.

It is understood that the club intends unveiling a new head coach in the run-up to the visit of Aberystwyth.

If Tom Powell and colleagues can rise to the occasion and lower the colours of the north Ceredigion side it would undoubtedly act as a morale

booster for the following Saturday when they visit bottom but one Gowerton and could end the year in a promotion challenging position with a home win over third from bottom Whitland on December 17.

Cardigan will be expected to spring a handsome victory over third from bottom Pembroke Dock Quins at King George V Playing Field and the following Saturday Llyr Griffiths and Co visit Laugharne.

The prospect of further progress in the National Bowl is to the fore among fans as their favourites prepare for a visit to Bettws RFC Newport

Gwent on December 10.

A win for the Cardis would put them in the last 16 and something to look forward to in the New Year.