Championship basement boys Newcastle Emlyn head for the Swansea Valley on Saturday for a game against villagers Trebanos in the knowledge that they are already playing catch-up after a 33-32 away defeat against another struggling club Newbridge.

The Teifisiders could face a stern test this weekend against opponents who came out on top 26-19 at Ddol Wyber on the opening day of the campaign.

The disappointment in Gwent was tempered by Alex Williams and Co picking up a bonus point or being within seven points of the homesters, but it left the Red and Whites 10 points behind Trebanos and safety – defeat at The Park would really give them a mountain to climb.

Although Newbridge perhaps just about deserved to shade the verdict there were many in the home ranks who gave Emlyn huge credit for a performance brimming with pride and passion.

It was nip and tuck throughout until eight minutes from the end when talented three-quarter Mathew McGovern outstripped the visitors’ defence and rounded off a superb individual performance with a winning try in the corner.

Emlyn gave it their best shot and on a number of occasions appeared as if they would carry the day but Newbridge, with flankers Luke Morgan and Toby Twigg along with No. 8 Christian Francis to the fore, added further tries via Twigg, scrum-half Matt Davies who bagged a brace and McGovern again, with the remainder of the points coming from the boot of outside half Sam Withers.

For the visitors, who contributed fully to an exciting spectacle, there were two tries apiece for scrum-half Llyr Jones and winger Llyr Davies and one for skipper Williams.