RUGBY ROUND-UP

Relegated from the Championship at the end of last season Newcastle Emlyn made an encouraging start to life in League 1 West by coming out on top 45-3 at Gorseinon before hosting fellow Ceredigion rivals Aberystwyth and emerging 20-10 winners.

It was a thoroughly deserved triumph at Ddol Wyber on Saturday in a game that did not reach any heights as both sides made a string of unforced errors.

Despite the visitors enjoying a big weight advantage up front, the Emlyn eight more than held their own and in lock Chris Ludgate possessed a star performer in the lineout, scrum and loose.

The north Ceredigion visitors drew first blood when centre Carwyn Evans went in for a try converted by scrum-half Llyr Thomas.

Following a fluid move Emlyn outside half Sion Edwards raced clear for a try converted by fullback Shaun Leonard who nudged his side ahead before the break with a penalty from 40 yards.

During a scrappy second half Llyr Evans landed a straightforward penalty to put the visitors back on level terms but they failed to add to their points tally as Emlyn pulled away.

Leonard regained the advantage with a penalty and finished off a sparkling threequarter move when kicking ahead and following up for a try before adding the extras for a personal haul of 15 points.

In the same division it was a case of after the Lord Mayor’s show for Crymych who went down to a 24-3 away defeat against Hendy seven days after opening the campaign by beating Llangennech at Parc Lloyd Thomas.

Although the scoreline may suggest it was straightforward for the Carmarthenshire villagers the visitors were in contention for lengthy periods and left to rue a number of missed opportunities.

Hendy picked up a bonus point for scoring four tries through prop Dyfan Williams, winger Tom Havard, lock Lee Thomas and back-rower Richard Kinnear with Rhydian Morris converting two of the scores.

Fullback Adam Phillips landed a first half penalty for Crymych but it was scant consolation for the visitors.

Last season’s League 3 West A whipping boys St Davids were in contention against Cardigan at King George V Playiing Field for most of the first half, but then the floodgates opened and the Cardis ran in six tries without reply in emerging 43-8 winners.

Home tries came via centre Aaron Tomkinson who bagged a brace, No. 8 Tom Taylor, scrum-half Mathew Roebuck and wingers Gwern Phillips and Llion Williams with Llyr Jones landing five conversions and a penalty.

St Davids centre Dylan Walsh crossed for an unconverted try.