Division One West Rugby / by JOHN ADEY

Newcastle Emlyn kept up the pressure on leaders Llangennech by brushing aside visitors Gorseinon 40-6 at Dol Wyber for their fourth successive win in Division One West.

Unbeaten Emlyn, with a game in hand, are right on the tails of the pacesetters, and  the top two go head-to-head in the Teifi Valley on March 12.

Classy fullback Sean Leonard went off injured, and it is now a case of fingers crossed that he will be fit for the WRU Plate clash at Cwmbran.

Whilst it was essentially a team performance that carried the day for Emlyn, special mention should be made of lock Osian Davies, of Llandovery, who was outstanding throughout.

The hosts led 19-6 at half time, conceding an early penalty landed by centre Nile Popham, before opening their account with a try by Davies, quickly followed by a try for winger Llyr Jones set up by outside half Dean James and sucessfully converted by Leonard.

Leonard and Popham exchanged penalties, and the home fullback  was successful with a  further three kicks  and a conversion before going off.

Osian Davies crowned a superb performance with a try and Llyr Jones crossed for his second score, converted by replacement Mike Jones.

With the clock running down hooker and skipper Alex Williams went over for a try converted by Jones.

Newcastle Emlyn will make the 190-miles round trip to Cwmbran on Saturday in the last 24 of the WRU Plate.

The Red and Whites, who have fired from the start of the new season, easily won their G1 group from runners-up Llanelli Wanderers, with Felinfoel in third.

Vintage rugby is being produced down by the River Teifi at Dol Wyber these days, with forwards and backs combining in exciting play.

Cwmbran of Division Two East came out on top in the Plate A2 group from second in the table Croesyceiliog and third-placed Caldicot.

Emlyn are expected to face a tough test at The Kings Head Ground, but Alex Williams and team-mates will go into the match in confident mood.

Elsewhere in Division One West Crymych chalked up their second win of the term when inflicting a 50-7 defeat on basement boys Penclawdd in the Loughor Estuary.

It was a welcome win for the Preseli men, whose other success was at home against Pembroke while losing narrowly on the opening day at Whitland and going down 30-10 in an away encounter with Llangennech.

It was a bit of a romp for the north Pembrokeshire villagers who dominated virtually throughout the 80 minutes.

Although these are early days, the Cocklemen appear destined to fight a relegation battle, while Crymych will face far sterner opposition in the weeks and month ahead.

Centre Eilir Cooper led the Crymych try scoring with a hat-trick, winger Lawrence Headlam crossed the whitewash twice and the other scorers were Carwyn Rees, Ifan Phillips and Osian Hill, the latter landing five conversions.

On Saturday, January 22, Crymych, with two wins from four league matches, travel to face third-placed Felinfoel.

Division One West Results: January 15: Felinfoel 55 Pembroke 3; Gowerton 16 Llangennech 33; Llanelli Wanderers 50; Yr Hendy 22 Whitland 15.