RUGBY ROUND-UP

A week in sport can seem like an eternity as WRU Championship basement boys Newcastle Emlyn found when a 45-10 away defeat at the hands of Tata Steel sent the Red and Whites closer to the relegation trapdoor seven days after overcoming fellow strugglers Newbridge at Ddol Wyber.

The disappointment in Port Talbot left the Tivysiders nine points from safety with three games in which to pull off a great escape. Alex Williams and Co are at home against Maesteg Quins this Saturday, host Tata Steel on Easter Saturday and bring the curtain down on the season against Trebanos in the Swansea Valley on April 27.

Emlyn have showed on a number of occasions this term that they are capable of producing attractive rugby while spreading the ball wide, but on this occasion they did not give fans encouragement for the future as they were outplayed virtually throughout with the homesters winning by six tries against two.

As the Steelmen, who led 24-5 at half time, sauntered to victory flying winger Amir Walji was the hero with a hat-trick of tries and the other scores came via Jack Brooks, Steffan Davies and David Griggs.

Crymych of League 1 West did not impress against Llanelli Wanderers at Stradey Park where the north Pembrokeshire villagers turned in a below par performance.

Wanderers led 15-0 at half time and dominated during the second period in emerging 34-7 winners.

Home outside half Rhydian Morgan scythed through for the opening try and landed a penalty before the homesters were awarded a penalty try.

Lewis Jones crashed over for a Llanelli try early in the second period but the visitors hit back when winger Laurence Headman ran in for a try converted by veteran outside half Gareth Davies.

Rhydian Morgan crossed for his second try which he converted and also added the extras to a Luke Thomas score as Wanderers won with something to spare.