The Admiral Welsh National Leagues made a welcome return on Saturday, with Newcastle Emlyn getting off to a flyer with a 24-19 away win at Gowerton in Division One West.

The Red and Whites, without 10 squad members for what promised to be a tough encounter, rose to the occasion and were deserved winners.

It looked ominous for the visitors at one stage when they trailed 12-3, but eradicating early errors, they improved as the game progressed and dominated in the final quarter.

Gowerton scrum-half Tom Ham ran in for a try, converted by centre Rob John, before Emlyn fullback Sean Leonard replied with a penalty.

Flanker Mathew Terry then crossed for a second home score, but again the Teifisiders bounced back with a try by hooker and skipper Alex Williams, following a driving lineout.

Emlyn replacement scrum-half Dafydd Evans in his 100th appearance for the club then marked the occasion with a try, duly converted by Leonard.

There was a setback for the visitors at the start of the second period when Gowerton prop Ethan Hall  powered over the line, and John added the extras, but Leonard landed three penalties to make it a brilliant win.

Next up for for Emlyn is an away game against Felinfoel on November 27, and it has been confirmed that the Red and Whites will visit Cwmbran on January 22 in the WRU Plate.

After  just missing out on going through to the next stage of the District competitions Crymych went down 13-12 at Whitland in their opening Division One West match.

When the rivals met in the Plate competition recently Crymych emerged 25-5 winners at Parc Lloyd Thomas, but a young Preseli side could not repeat that performance, despite giving it their best shot.

After a closely-fought opening 40 minutes when there were no points, vastly-experienced outside half Nico Setaro landed a penalty for the Borderers and openside flanker James Lewis crossed for a try, converted by Setaro, who landed a second penalty.

For Crymych, who host Pembroke on November 27, there were tries for Tomos Phillips and Eilir George, with Ifan Davies landing one conversion.

Results: Division One West: Felinfoel 39 Penclawdd 17; Gowerton 19 Newcastle Emlyn 24; Llangennech 26 Llanelli Wanderers 6; Pembroke 15 Gorseinon 34; Whitland 13 Crymych 12; Yr Hendy 28 Aberystwyth 26.

There was a deluge of points at St Davids in Division Three West A as Cardigan scored 60 points without reply in their league opener.

It was a competent all-round team performance by the visitors, who used all 20 players, and they led 26-0 at the half time interval.

Lock Dyfed Symmonds, now in his late 30’s made a comeback for Cardigan, and another veteran hooker Andrew Fletcher is a boost to the squad.

The Cardis were far superior at the breakdown and contact area as the game progressed and they ran in 10 tries through skipper and No 8 Tom Taylor (2), openside flanker Rhodri Davies (2), fullback Llyr Jones, blindside flanker Kester Adams, centre Tom Griffiths, replacement centre Iestyn Noble and wingers Carwyn Vaughan and Hedd James. Fullback Jones landed five conversions.

The Cardis will  play against Pembroke Dock Quins at King George V Playing Field a week on Saturday, November 27.

Results: Division Three West A: Haverfordwest 27 St Clears 13; Laugharne 36 Neyland 34; Llanybydder 50 Llangwm 14; Pembroke Dock Quins 7 Lampeter 43; St Davids 0 Cardigan 60; Tregaron    18 Aberaeron 23.