RUGBY ROUND-UP

Skipper and lock Rhys 'Beakie' Davies leads Crymych in a vital League 1 West game on Saturday when the second from bottom Preselimen host third from bottom Llanelli Wanderers at Parc Lloyd Thomas.

The north Pembrokeshire villagers produced another performance brimming with pride and passion as they sprang a 19-12 away win over fifth-placed Llangennech.

As Davies and colleagues did the business at the Park, rivals Wanderers went down 25-7 at champions-elect Gowerton and fourth from bottom Kidwelly, who visit Crymych on the final day of the campaign, emerged 36-10 winners at Penclawdd.

It all means that Crymych are currently 12 points from safety but have four games in hand on Wanderers and Kidwelly and a win this weekend would really intensify the relegation battle.

In another stirring showing by Crymych the pack was solid enabling halfbacks Gareth Davies and Jake Jenkins to control the tempo while the remainder of the backs, and especially centre Ifan Phillips, were also to the fore.

The visitors crossed for two first half tries through flankers Sion Colella and Guto Davies, both converted by centre Phillips.

Fullback Tom Barnes brought the Carmarthenshire villagers right back into contention with a solo try but young centre Phillips replied with an unconverted try.

Barnes scythed through for his second score, converted by outside half Josh Hammett, but Crymych held out for another superb victory.

The gulf between the top of the Championship and the lower reaches was crystal clear as runaway leaders Pontypool demolished visitors Newcastle Emlyn 73-10 at Pontypool Park to complete the double over the Red and Whites having come out on top 62-10 in the Teifi Valley back in November.

To their credit the visitors contributed to a hugely entertaining spectacle with some attractive rugby but came up against opponents head and shoulders above the division.

Running in 11 tries, Pooler led 40-10 at half time and after emptying the bench during the second period continued to dictate in virtually all aspects of the game.

Emlyn left-winger Daniel Davies crossed for two quality tries during the opening 40 minutes and he and his colleagues could hold their heads high after a gutsy showing despite being second best.

For the champions there were two tries apiece for hugely impressive flanker Mike Herbert, fullback Tom Hancock and lock Ben Sparks and also on the scoreboard were Jordan Thomas, Lewis Ball, Joel Mahoney and Clayton Gullis and the homesters were also awarded a penalty try while outside half Kieran Meek landed eight conversions.

League 3 West A mid-tablers Cardigan were also swept aside as they crashed 49-20 against pacesetters Pembroke at Crickmarren.

The Pembrokeshire Scarlets ran in nine tries in a scintillating performance against battling Cardigan who had their moments and put up a spirited showing against the league top dogs.

Pembroke, who led 17-10 at the break, got tries through all-action No 8 Sam Smith who crossed the whitewash on four occasions, Barry John who bagged a brace, Jim Brace, Ryan Wilkins and Cyle Weatherall with Sion Dalling landing two conversions.

Fullback and skipper John Lumb and No. 8 Simon Harries replied with tries for Cardigan and the former converted two of the scores.