RUGBY PREVIEW

A blank weekend gave Newcastle Emlyn of the Championship and Crymych of League 1 West the chance to regroup in preparation for vital games affecting relegation in their respective leagues.

Emlyn are bottom of the pile and as things stand with four clubs being relegated for the first time, they are staring the dreaded drop in the face.

The Red and Whites host Maesteg Quins, promoted at the end of last term as League 1 West champions and who like the Dol Wyber men have made a rather inauspicious start to their campaign in the higher grade.

Having won three and lost four Quins are seven points above the Teifisiders and whoever comes out on top will gain a significant advantage.

Quins have been defeated by Cardiff Met (away), Ystrad Rhondda (home), Rhydyfelin (home) and Pontypool (away), while successful against Beddau (home), Newbridge (away) and Bedlinog (home).

After the Emlyn clash they host seventh in the table Trebanos at South Parade Playing Fields.

Emlyn have an unenviable record of only one win in eight outings and head coach Marc Lloyd and assistants are likely to target the Quins visit as a game in which to pick up points.

Alex Williams and Co have lost against Trebanos (home), Rhydyfelin (away), Cardiff Met (away), Narberth (home), Ystrad Rhondda (away), Pontypool (home) and Beddau (away) while the one win came at the expense of Bedlinog at Dol Wyber.

After this weekend Emlyn are involved in another massive game when visiting joint bottom Newbridge.

It is also a jittery time at Crymych with the Preselimen third from bottom in League 1 West despite some encouraging performances this season when giving stern tests to a number of clubs, including pacesetters Felinfoel.

The north Pembrokeshire villagers host Dunvant who are sixth in the table, eight points above Emlyn and hoping to pull further clear with a win at Parc Lloyd Thomas.

Currently sixth in the table Dunvant have won three and lost two, the successes coming against Yr Hendy, leaders Felinfoel and Kidwelly.

Crymych have been successful only once in six games and that was on the opening day of the season when emerging 20-19 winners over visitors Tenby United.

They have since been defeated by Aberystwyth (away), Whitland (away), Felinfoel (home), Yr Hendy (away) and Gowerton (away) - a second win at the expense of Dunvant would almost certainly act as a big boost for morale.

Cardigan are not in action until November 24 when Milford Haven are the visitors to King George V Playing Field in a League 3 West A game.