RUGBY ROUND-UP

It was disappointment all round on the local scene as Newcastle Emlyn sank further into the Championship relegation mire with defeat at home against third-placed Ystrad Rhondda, Crymych of League 1 West brushed aside by leaders Felinfoel in Llanelli and Cardigan losing away against League 3 West A second-placed Neyland.

With four clubs relegated at the end of the campaign a 28-14 defeat at Ddol Wyber left Emlyn bottom of the league with ten games remaining.

The Red and Whites are currently four points from safety, having played three games more than fifth from bottom Maesteg Quins – due to the situation the clash between the two in the Llynfi Valley during March takes on major significance.

Emlyn were left to rue three errors near the Ystrad try line and the visitors took full advantage.

The Red and Whites opened the scoring with a penalty by fullback Shaun Leonard but the south Walians replied in double quick time with a try wide out by winger Jay Harries, converted by fullback Corey Shephard.

Leonard brought the Teifisiders back into contention with a penalty before Ystrad launched another surging move culminating in winger Kurtis Williams winning a race for a touchdown and the score was converted by Shephard.

Early in the second half centre Adam Lewis ran in for an Ystrad try converted by Shepard and although winger Llyr Davies replied with an Emlyn try the south Walians showed their mettle with a score by centre Sion Summers.

After climbing the League 1 West table with a number of encouraging results Crymych were brought down to earth against leaders Felinfoel who emerged 39-13 winners in Llanelli.

Young centre Harri Williams landed two first half penalties for the visitors and after the break fullback Tomos Phillips was put through for a try converted by Williams.

But the league pacesetters dominated for lengthy periods and fully deserved their triumph.

The homesters went in for seven tries and picked up a bonus point, the scores coming via hooker Joe Poole, winger Josh Edwards, prop Chris Rumbellow, scrum-half Dai Davies, flankers Stuart Taylor and Jordan Evans and replacement fullback Elliott Dawe.

Outside half Jonny George and fullback Aled Roberts landed conversions.

Even without skipper and fullback John Lumb and backrow player/coach Colin Davies a rampant Cardigan appeared on the way to a win over Neyland as the visitors led 17-5 after the opening 40 minutes.

But the Pembrokeshire All Blacks stormed back during the second half to gain a bonus point win.

Second in the table Neyland were without inspirational skipper George Williams and played nearly an hour with 14 players after scrum-half George Evans was sent packing for an alleged trip tackle.

Impressive outside half Dylan McGiffen opened the scoring for Neyland with a solo try that went unconverted but the visitors replied with a try by flanker Tom Taylor following a forward surge and outside half Emyr Harries added the extras.

Cardigan increased the advantage with a try by left-winger Rhodri Davies converted by Harries.

It was a different ball game after the oranges as the All Blacks took a ten point lead with tries by flanker Iestyn Evans and centre Tom Hughes, both scores converted by McGiffen who also landed a penalty.

Although Cardigan got back into the game with a second Taylor try converted by Harries the home side finished strongly when prop Nathan Banner ran in for a try under the posts and McGiffen landed the conversion.