RUGBY ROUND-UP

It appears that League 1 West is the chief priority for Newcastle Emlyn and Hendy, borne out by both making sweeping changes for the WRU Plate round one tie in the Teifi Valley.

Emlyn went through to the next stage after springing a deserved 27-17 win in a rather scrappy affair.

Winger Dan Davies nudged Emlyn ahead with a penalty but visiting prop Shaun Williams crashed over for a try that went unconverted.

Home skipper Alex Williams crossed for a try following a lineout and soon afterwards a sparkling threequarter move culminated in winger Llyr Jones running round to touchdown under the posts making the conversion a formality for Davies.

Hendy came right back into contention before the break when from another lineout move lock Lee Thomas drove over for a try converted by outside half Rhydian Morris.

With a strong wind at their backs during the second period Emlyn struck in the opening quarter when Dafydd Rotie the ex-Cardigan flanker made a break and put Llyr Jones in for his second score converted by Davies.

Replacement centre Teifion Davies set up a try for his namesake Dan and although Emlyn dominated it was the visitors who got the final score when an Emlyn move broke down and Hendy drove upfield for fullback Steffan Howells to go over for a try.

Both clubs agreed that the WRU Plate Round One tie between Fishguard and Crymych at The Moors in Goodwick should also count as a Pembrokeshire KO Cup game and it proved profitable for Crymych who sprang a 28-7 win.

The Seagulls went into the clash on the back of two impressive League 2 West successes while Crymych were still smarting from being turned over at Hendy in League 1 West.

It looked promising for the homesters at one stage during the opening 40 minutes when winger Rhys Evans was put in for a try converted by scrum-half Mark Jones.

But the Preselimen were 11-7 ahead at the interval through a try by fullback Adam Phillips and two penalties landed by centre Ewan Phillips.

A try by winger Lawrence Headlam, a penalty try and two further Ewan Phillips penalties put Crymych out of sight.

Cardigan of Division 3 West A appeared on the way to victory when leading League 3 West B Furnace United 14-5 at half time in a WRU Bowl round one tie at King George V Playing Field.

But the homesters went off the boil during the second period, failing to add to their tally and conceding 11 points for a hugely disappointing 16-14 defeat.

In the opening 40 minutes Llyr Jones and Michael Richards crossed for home tries with Iwan John and Llyr Jones adding conversions while lock Daf Green got a try for the Llanelli-based visitors.

As United ruled the roost outside half Dafydd Green ran in for a try and scrum-half Dan Rees landed two penalties.