When the pandemic brought a suspension to all rugby activity last year Newcastle Emlyn of Division One West were challenging for promotion and a quick return back into the Championship.

And the Red and Whites maintained their momentum with a superb all-round team performance in sweeping aside Felinfoel 46-15 in the WRU Plate District G1 at Ddol Wyber last weekend.

Highly-rated coach Marc Lloyd is again in charge at the Teifi Valley club and his expertise was plain to see against the visitors, who were looking well beaten long before the final whistle.

“It was a 20-man effort today and I would say that is the best we have played for a very long time,” said Lloyd.

It was difficult to pick out one individual such was the all-round performance, but openside flanker Dafydd Rotie was outstanding and deservedly man of the match.

Under skipper Alex Williams the Teifisiders are a formidable force, and it is clear someone will have to produce something special to lower their colours.

It was 25-3 and as far as many supporters were concerned game over at the break with the hosts having produced dazzling moves.

First half tries came via winger Llyr Jones, loose head prop Dexter Thomas, and winger Dean James, two of the scores converted by outside half Mike Jones, who also landed two penalties.

Emlyn continued to rule the roost during the second period and further tries were scored by Rotie, flanker Elliot Rees and winger Dean James, with Mike Jones contributing a further six points.

Understrength Cardigan went down 38-14 at Haverfordwest on the opening day in the WRU Bowl District H1, but with a few additions to the squad, they beat Llangwm 43-12 last weekend.

With halfback brothers Luke and Ben Rogers and winger Alun Jenkins, the latter not having played for some years, there was a big improvement.

Winger Jenkins, now in his mid 30’s, marked his return to the game with a try hat-trick and the team ran in a total of seven tries.

On the debit side Cardigan lost prop Nathan Bowen after ten minutes, the front row forward suffering a pulled hamstring.

It was 28-12 at half time, Jenkins crossing for his three scores and lock Fraser Rees also going over, with fullback Llyr Jones converting all four tries.

Iestyn Power and Callum Jenkins got tries for the visitors with Ian Dwyer landing one conversion.

During the second period centre Arron Tomkins went over for a try in the corner, No. 8 and skipper Tom Taylor also ran in for a score as did Llyr Jones, who converted a total of five tries.

After their opening fixture in the WRU Plate District H1 was postponed against Whitland, Crymych started their campaign on the Ceredigion coast at old adversaries Aberystwyth.

It proved an unsuccessful journey for the Preseli men who went down 19-11 in a competitive and entertaining contest at Plascrug.

The north Pembrokeshire men led 11-9 after the first 40 minutes, but Aber, with forwards and backs combining well under captain Arwel Lloyd, turned it around in the second half and they ran out deserved winners.

Winger Lawrence Headman ran in to score a try for the visitors during the first half, the score converted by  Gavin Thomas, who also put over three penalties.

For the hosts, Carwyn Evans fullback Jack Jones and outside half Mathew Hughes went in for tries, the latter converting two scores.

Meanwhile Fishguard & Goodwick beat Whitland 10-15 at Parc Llwyn Ty Gwyn.
Flanker Lewis Davies claimed the only try of the first half for the Seagulls whilst Geraint Jones replied with a well-struck penalty.

A second try by Lewis Davies, and conversion and penalty by No 10 James Griffiths sealed the win, with Trystan Jones scoring a late converted try for Whitland.