RUGBY ROUND-UP

It can hardly be said that Newcastle Emlyn have enjoyed a successful time in the hugely competitive Championship this season, but there were smiles all round on Saturday after the Red and Whites rose to the occasion and pulled off a stunning 34-24 win over third in the table Tata Steel in Port Talbot.

In springing a fifth win of the campaign Alex Williams and Co climbed to sixth in the table and boosted morale before the visits of Cardiff Metropolitan University this weekend and second-placed Narberth in the final game of the year.

Victory and a maximum haul of five points for the second time in succession appeared a forlorn hope after the opening 40 minutes when trailing 14-3.

To be fair the Teifi Valley visitors were forced to reshuffle early on when suffering a double blow through the loss of injured backs Daniel Davies and Llyr Jones.

Emlyn were also let down by some sloppy defending but matters changed in no uncertain terms after the oranges as the Red and Whites produced a five-star performance, especially during a ten-minute period when crossing for four tires.

As Championship top scorer Richard Carter and flanker David Griggs crossed for first half ties, both converted by Jackob Williams compared to a penalty by outside half Ashley Sutton for Emlyn the writing appeared to be on the wall.

But there was a huge transformation after the interval with Emlyn forwards and backs combining in some scintillating running rugby that brought them victory. Scrum-half Mike Jones went in for two tires, centres

Teifion Davies and Steffan Evans got a try apiece and winger Dafydd Evans was also on the scoresheet.

The Emlyn coaching staff were understandably elated afterwards and if their charges can reproduce the second half showing in future games there must be room for considerable optimism.

League 1 West basement boys Crymych also came up trumps in the second half and moved into the last 16 of the National Plate with a 27-25 win over Tondu of League 1 West Central at Parc Lloyd Thomas.

The visitors from the Bridgend area led 13-10 at half time and holding a 15-point lead as the tie moved into the final quarter appeared home and dry.

But the Preselimen fought tooth and nail to turn things around.

For Tondu there were tries for centre Mathew Davies, winger Sam Grabham and lock Steffan Jones with outside half Josh Tatchell converting two of the scores and landing two penalties.

As the north Pembrokeshire villagers did the business in style tries came via winger Luke Rogers, No. 8 Osian Davies and centre Ifan Phillips who contributed nine points with the boot before landing a winning penalty.

There was drama right up until the final whistle as Tatchell was presented with an opportunity to win the tie with a 35-yard penalty but his effort sailed wide.