Rugby Round-Up

It wasn’t pretty in the Teifi Valley but League 1 West leaders Newcastle Emlyn are unlikely to lose sleep after completing a double over title rivals Felinfoel with a 9-3 win.

Alex Williams and colleagues, who sprang a 13-8 win at Llanelli in November, soared eight points clear of third-placed ‘Foel with eight fixtures remaining.

Next up for the Red and Whites is another huge game on March 21 when visiting second in the table Llangennech, currently two points adrift of the pacesetters.

The only scores in the game came from the boot, with home outside half Shaun Leonard hoisting three penalties, one of the efforts from near halfway, and visiting full-back Aled Roberts successful with one attempt.

Although it was essentially a superb team-effort that swung matters the way of Emlyn the homesters defended in depth with openside flanker and former Cardigan star Dafydd Rotie to the fore.

The brilliant defensive showing from Marc Lloyd’s men prompted a local wag to enquire whether France and former Wales defence coach Shaun Edwards had visited the area.

In the same division Crymych were joint bottom going into a vital relegation clash with Llanelli Wanderers – one place above them – at Stradey Park.

When the rivals met at Parc Lloyd Thomas earlier in the campaign the Llanelli men emerged 26-18 winners, but the Preselimen avenged that defeat and moved to within a point of their rivals after a battling performance in springing a 16-12 win.

The north Pembrokeshire villagers are involved in another massive game on March 21 when fourth-from-bottom Gowerton come calling.

In the run-in Crymych also face leaders Newcastle Emlyn and bottom club Pembroke home and away, Aberystwyth away and Penclawdd at home on the final day in May.

The visitors notched a try through fullback Tomos Phillips and the remainder of the points came from the boot of Adam Phillips.

Jordan Evans and Rhydian Morgan crossed for Llanelli tries, one of the touchdowns converted by Lewis Jones.

Cardigan chalked up their seventh win in League 3 West when avenging a defeat at the hands of Pembroke Dock Quins at Bierspool in October by coming out on top 38-8 against the mid-table side at King George V Playing Field.

The Cardis led 6-3 at half time, their points coming from two penalties by Llyr Jones while Kieran Machin landed one kick for Quins.

Cardigan raised the tempo after the oranges and emerged comfortable winners with tries by

Brilliant outside half Luke Rogers, hooker Richard Fletcher, Toby Nielson-Dry and a penalty try. Llyr Jones got the remainder of the points. While Jack Price went in for a Quins try.