RUGBY ROUND-UP BY JOHN ADEY

Producing another quality performance Newcastle Emlyn completed a win treble in Division One West when defeating visiting Ceredigion rivals Aberystwyth 41-18 at Ddol Wyber last weekend.

Prior to Saturday the Red and Whites had won 24-19 at Gowerton and emerged 40-17 winners away against Yr Hendy, while Aber lost their opener at Yr Hendy, before springing a double against Whitland and Penclawdd.

The Teifisiders are playing effective and attractive rugby and although there are likely to be tough tasks ahead, especially against Llangennech, Emlyn are on a high after three games.

Aber started the game at a frenetic pace and were inside the home 22 for a lengthy spell, but the Emlyn defence was superb. The visitors had their moments and in fullback Mathew Hughes had a player of quality.

For Emlyn, prop Dai Jones and flanker Gareth Thompson showed up well while behind the scrum centres Teifion Davies and Andrew Owens  were outstanding, and fullback Sean Leonard, who is kicking goals for fun, contributed 21 points, including the final try.

Emlyn led 17-3 at the interval, their points coming  from a Leonard penalty, a try by Andrew Owens and lock Elliott Rees, both converted by Leonard.
Outside half Steffan Rees landed a penalty for Aber.

Emlyn continued to impress during the second period and scored further tries through winger Dean James, Andrew Owens and Leonard, with the latter adding three conversions and a superb 47 yards drop goal.  

The visitors battled to the end and their efforts were rewarded by tries for right-winger Ben Jones, converted by Steffan Rees and flanker Iestyn Thomas.

In the other Division One West match, leaders Llangennech made it four wins from four with a 65-19 win over Pembroke.

The game between Felinfoel and Crymych due to be played on Saturday was called off as several Crymych players were attending a wedding, and has been rearranged for January 22.

The league resumes in the New Year with the following fixtures: January 8: Division One West: Aberystwyth v Llangennech; Crymych v Yr Hendy; Gorseinon v Penclawdd; Llanelli Wanderers v Newcastle Emlyn; Pembroke v Gowerton; Whitland v Felinfoel.

The Division Three West West A rugby match between Haverfordwest and Cardigan on Saturday was postponed due to some of the Cardigan players being away on a skiing holiday.

Carmarthen Athletic made it four wins from five league matches with a 12-10 win at Fishguard, whilst Mumbles lost 17-22 to Pontarddulais, and Tycroes beat Kidwelly 15-12.

The next fixtures on January 8 are Burry Port v Mumbles; Carmarthen Athletic v Tycroes; Kidwelly v Pontyberem; Milford Haven v Nantgaredig; Pontarddulais v Loughor; Tenby United v Fishguard.