page revision date : 15th December 2008
Rugby Preview for 20th December 2008
I’m still riding on the crest of a wave before the slump since last week saw nine matches played and yes – you’ve guessed it – another nine wins in the bag to make it 34 correct forecasts in the last 36 fixtures played! Now that’s what I’d call top tipping and I hope our Expert takes note before this week’s football matches! This week we go to Swalec Cup games again, with Narberth, Whitland and Crymych all having interesting fixtures at home, and a couple of matches from the Swalec Plate and Bowl featuring local clubs knocked out of the main competition at an earlier stage.
Swalec Cup Round Four:
Crymych versus Cross Keys
Crymych have drawn one of the big guns from the Principality Premiership in Gwent club Cross Keys, who are currently tenth out of 14 clubs, having won five and lost seven of their league fixtures.
Cross Keys’ heaviest defeat was a 60-0 home reverse to Pontypridd and they also went down 60-12 at Neath and 21-17 at Llanelli. They have beaten Swansea (22-21), Pontypool (30-16), Bedwas (13-10), Llandovery (27-25) and Bridgend (36-29) – but lost their last fixture by 22-15 at Cardiff.
Crymych will battle all the way but this is too big a mountain for the Preseli Boys to climb and they will do well to lose by fewer than 30 points.
Narberth versus Kenfig Hill
These teams met regularly in league fixtures for four seasons between 1995/6 and 1998/9 and the visitors, popularly known as The Mules had fine players like Paul Yardley, Brendan Roach and Gareth Cull. But since then they have dropped down into Division Three (South West) and are currently seventh, with three wins and a draw from their nine matches.
They drew 13-all with Glynneath and beat Tondu and Tonna, and in their last match ground out a 5-0 win at Briton Ferry.
But the Otters should be far too strong and skilful for Kenfig Hill and they should move comfortably into round five.
Whitland versus Ystrad Rhondda
The Borderers face an interesting clash against Ystrad Rhondda, who play in Division One (East) and will provide a guide-line beaten the relative strengths of the parallel divisions. Ystrad Rhondda are presently in eighth place having won three out of nine games, winning at Newport Saracens by 46-13, beating Rumney (27-23) and Beddau (22-7), both at home. They lost their last match at Llanharan by 23-13 but are recognized as a good attacking side.
Whitland lost 19-3 at Tonmawr but are still in the top five of Division One (West) so should have just enough fire power to beat Ystrad Rhondda, especially with home advantage.
Swalec Plate Competition
(For teams who lost in rounds one and two of the Swalec Cup)
Pembroke versus Neyland
Pembroke should hold all the aces since they are now playing in a section higher than Neyland but local derbies between the Scarlets and the All Blacks are traditionally tough encounters. Pembroke have a number of injury problems, especially up front but Neyland are also missing a few players so it could be interesting.
Home advantage is bound to play a significant part, I feel, and I plump for Scarlets’ win by at least ten points.
Newcastle Emlyn versus Haverfordwest
Newcastle Emlyn are currently eighth in Division Three (West) with four wins from eight starts whilst Haverfordwest are just one place below them, having won three and drawn one of their eight matches.
When the teams met in October it was Emlyn who edged home by 18-14 at Ddol Wiber – and I would expect a similar result in favour of Emlyn since the Blues still have so many players out injured.
Swalec Bowl Competition
(For teams who lost in the first round of the Swalec Plate Competition)
Aberaeron versus Tenby United
Aberaeron are currently fourth in Division Five (West) after winning half of their eight league games whilst Tenby United are in a rich vein of form as their seven wins in eight outings have deservedly catapulted them into second spot in Division Four (West).
No doubt about this one – if the Seasiders play a full-strength side they will win with something to spare!
Fishguard and Goodwick versus Aberystwyth University
Fishguard and Goodwick will be glad to be back in action and entertain an Aberystwyth University team that is sure to play an expansive running game. The students lost 46-13 to Laugharne and will find the Seagulls in no mood to let them play an expansive game and will look to dominate up front before releasing their own power at the back.
Alan Phillips will make sure his side is committed to the task – and Fishguard will win this one.
| 
