RUGBY ROUND-UP

Crymych's hopes of a top three finish in League 1 West took a dive when the Preselimen went down to a 46-23 away defeat against ninth in the table Gorseinon.

The Preselimen were hit by three quick-fire tries before the interval and never recovered as they ended a well-beaten outfit.

Impressive home outside half Jack Gronow and Crymych No 10 Ifan Phillips landed a brace of penalties each early on before the Gorseinon onslaught.

Nicky Jenkins ran in for the home side’s opening score which was followed by tries from Aled and Jamie Evans with Gronow successful with all three conversions.

Gronow landed a third penalty and crossed for a try in the second period which he converted and also added the extras to tries by Geraint Morgan and Kieran Craig.

Crymych went in for tries through flanker Gethin Davies (2) and winger Laurence Headlam and Phillips landed a penalty.

After a lengthy absence Cardigan skipper John Lumb returned to the fold but could not prevent Haverfordwest emerging 23-17 winners at King George V Playing Field and taking over second spot behind champions-elect Milford Haven in League 3 West A.

The Blues started on fire with winger Josh Atherton running away for a try converted by outside half Mikey Jones but the Cardis responded in double quick time when centre Lumb burst through for a try and outside half Iwan John added the extras.

With the Haverfordwest pack dominating it was no surprise when the visitors sprang two unconverted tries in the opening quarter through Mikey Jones and centre Mattie Phillips.

Starting the second half strongly Cardigan got a try through effervescent flanker Tom Taylor converted by John but the Blues came back with two Jones penalties.

The visitors were forced to defend in numbers during the final 15 minutes but held out despite John slotting a penalty for the Cardis to earn a losing bonus point.

Anything but victory in the WRU Championship over fellow strugglers Newbridge at Ddol Wyber on Saturday could prove disastrous for bottom of the pile Newcastle Emlyn.

A 28-26 away defeat at the hands of relegation-haunted Maesteg Quins left the Teifisiders 11 points from safety and with five games left Alex Williams and Co face a massive task to avoid the drop.

It would have been an even worse scenario if Emlyn had not managed to pick up a bonus point in the Llynfi Valley for being within seven points of their opponents.

A five-match fight for survival starts this Saturday against third from bottom Newbridge and the following Saturday the Red and Whites go to Port Talbot to take on another threatened club Tata Steel.

Maesteg Quins visit Ddol Wyber on April 13, Tata Steel come calling on April 20 and the final game is in the Swansea Valley against Trebanos who are also in the relegation mix.