RUGBY ROUND-UP

After injuries and inconsistency earlier in the season Newcastle Emlyn appear to be heading in the right direction in the highly competitive WRU Championship.

That was the view of many followers at Ddol Wyber on Saturday as the Red and Whites and Cardiff Metropolitan University provided some thrilling rugby in a 22-22 draw.

When the rivals met in the capital at the start of the campaign the Tivysiders were defeated 34-19 and appeared to be heading for another defeat until pulling things around in the dying stages.

Emlyn went ahead early on when winger Llyr Jones went over for a try under the posts converted by outside half Ashley Sutton.

The students responded with a penalty by impressive fullback George Simpson, who contributed 17 points.

With the Emlyn pack on top pressure paid off when hooker and skipper Alex Williams went over for a try converted by Sutton.

Simpson, who reduced the arrears with a spot on penalty also landed a long range kick while Sutton kicked a penalty for the hosts to give them an eight point advantage at the break.

The visiting fullback continued his impressive kicking with another penalty that put the visitors back in contention and soon afterwards hooker Shaun Howard crashed over for a try converted by Simpson who also landed a penalty.

In an attempt to pull the game out of fire Emlyn mounted waves of attacks and were successful when winger Llyr Freeman raced over for a try wide out.

Simpson had a late opportunity to win it for the students but his penalty attempt failed.

The top versus bottom clash in League 1 West went strictly according to the formbook with leaders Dunvant inflicting a 38-7 defeat on basement boys Crymych at Parc Lloyd Thomas.

The setback left the Preselimen eight points from safety and it is fast becoming a case of playing catch up to avoid the dreaded drop.

The visitors led 19-0 after the opening 40 minutes thanks to tries by flanker Ben Davies, winger Ben Ley and lock Gethin John with Sam Evans converting two of the scores.

Crymych got on the scoreboard after the interval when No. 8 Osian Davies crossed for a try converted by outside half Jake Jenkins.

But it was the north Pembrokeshire side's only taste of success as the visitors added further scores by Danny Davies and Sam Evans, the latter converting both.

Cardigan completed a League 3 West A double over Pembroke Dock Quins by coming out on top 13-5 at Bierspool.

Quins dominated for lengthy periods during the second half but failed to turn territorial advantage into points until the closing stages.

Cardigan flanker Osian Rees went over for an early try converted by centre and skipper Emyr Harries who landed a penalty as did fullback Llyr Jones.

Quins launched a series of attacks after the oranges but the Cardigan defence held firm until near the end when winger Martin Lewis got a try.