RUGBY ROUND-UP

The Crymych fight for survival in League 1 West gained momentum after the Preselimen produced a gutsy performance in emerging 19-15 winners over fourth-placed Gorseinon at Parc Lloyd Thomas.

Victory moved the north Pembrokeshire villagers off the foot of the table, relegating Tycroes to the basement and as the season winds down Rhys 'Biki' Davies and colleagues are 12 points from safety but have four games in hand on third from bottom Kidwelly.

As fans look at the remaining games it could transpire that the relegation battle goes all the way to the wire with Crymych hosting Kidwelly on Saturday, May 19.

In a fully-committed showing Crymych led 12-3 after the opening 40 minutes, their points coming from tries by wingers Tomos Phillips and Lawrence Headlam with one of the scores converted by centre Ifan Phillips.

The visitors replied with a penalty from outside half Tim O'Kelly.

It was also nip and tuck during the second period with Gorseinon coming back strongly when awarded a penalty try and sprang a well-worked try by Nicky Southgate which went unconverted.

In the final quarter impressive home centre Ifan Phillips broke through for a third try and converted to keep the home fans in good voice.

After all but securing safety in the Championship it was a case of back down to earth for Newcastle Emlyn who crashed 42-17 against third in the table Narberth at the Lewis Lloyd Ground.

The Otters ran in seven tries as they dominated, especially in the lineout for most of the 80 minutes.

On his return from injury right-winger Nick Gale landed a 45-yard penalty to nudge the Otters ahead and soon afterwards he set up fullback Ianto Griffiths for a try.

Two further unconverted tries by hooker Rhodri Owens and No. 8 Richard Rees gave the homesters an 18-point advantage at half time.

During the second period all-action flanker Tom Powell ran through under the posts for a try converted by Gale which was followed by scrum-half Jonathan Rogers starting a move that was finished off by Gale with a try wide out and the winger added the extras.

Powell and Griffiths doubled their try counts to put Narberth well clear before a late rally by the visitors resulted in flanker Callum Evans, winger Daniel Davies and replacement scrum-half Mike Jones crossing for tires, one of the scores converted by outside half Mitchell Jones.

In a re-arranged League 3 West A game Neyland came out on top 25-24 against Cardigan at the Athletic Ground and moved to within three points of their rivals in mid table.

With the referee looking at his watch it appeared the Cardis would edge it as they led 24-20, but home player/coach and outside half Steve Martin had other ideas as he brushed through two tackles and went over for an unconverted try to give his side the spoils by a single point.

There was some consolation for the visitors who picked up two bonus points for scoring four tries and being within seven points of their opponents.

As well as Martin there were tries for Luke Davies and George Williams with Martin landing two conversions and two penalties.

Dai Watkins, Llyr Jones, John Lumb and Rhydian Jenkins got tries for the visitors with Lumb landing two conversions.