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Rugby Preview: Fixtures for 28th February 2009
Ten out of ten again!
It was back to a full league programme last week and I have to say, with all modesty, that my tipping run of success continued with a 100% record from the ten matches played – and a 93% correct record over the season that would make The Expert in our football section quite green with envy!
I must admit, though, that I had a few minor blips because I tipped Whitland to score a shedful of points against lowly Dunvant and they sneaked home 11-3 in the last ten minutes – and said that the Quins might win narrowly at Pembroke and it was the spur the Quins needed to storm home by 30 points!
There’s almost a full programme again this week so here goes with some predictions. Why don’t you write your own down and see how you get on – or send them to us and we’ll print them!
Division One (West):
Narberth v Carmarthen Quins
Narberth lost their last match at Felinfoel but are still in the top three as they take on the league leaders, who have won all 14 of their matches.The Quins won at Carmarthen Park by 42-20 and although I think it will be closer this time I can’t quite see the Otters gaining revenge.
Division Three (West):
Cardigan v Llanelli Wanderers
Cardigan are playing really well and are now in third position in the section so shouldn’t find too much difficulty against Llanelli Wanderers, who have only won four times from 13 starts and lost 54-7 when the Teifisiders overwhelmed them in Llanelli.The Cardis to win, with a bonus point as a certainty if they are not complacent.
Crymych v Newcastle Emlyn
Crymych are the form team in Division Three (West), as they proved last Saturday with a 33-0 crunching of Laugharne, and have already beaten Newcastle Emlyn 31-6 at Ddol Wiber to move into fourth place but with three matches in hand over the top three.The Preseli Men to win with something to spare here!
Division Four (West):
Betws v Tenby United
Tenby will be looking to bounce back after that big defeat at Llandeilo last Saturday and have already beaten Betws by 21-3 at Heywood Lane but must have the right attitude for a tough tussle against the team in fifth place.The Seasiders can win this – if they don’t get another bout of travel sickness!
Burry Port v Pembroke
Pembroke are an unpredictable side but travel to Burry Port in the hope of bouncing back from their disappointing second-half display against the Quins and in search of the double since they beat Burry Port 34-8 at home.I’ll go for the Scarlets but won’t be surprised if they lose against a team with only three wins from ten matches.
Pembroke Dock Harlequins v Pontarddulais
The Quins will be greatly boosted by achieving the double over Pembroke and ready to take on fourth-placed Pontarddulais with real confidence.The Bont won 8-6 at home but I expect the Quins to motor home for a revenge win if they are at anything like full strength.
Division Five (West):
Furnace v Llangwm
Llangwm lost to Neyland at home last weekend and have an even tougher clash here against the third-placed team in the section.The Wasps don’t traditionally travel well and have already lost 22-12 to Furnace at Pill Parks so seem very likely to lose this game as well.
Neyland v Pontyates
Neyland played well to win 33-6 at Llangwm and are beginning to look a little sharper than their seventh slot suggests as they play host to a Pontyates team a place below them in the table so on paper it seems close.The All Blacks won 25-5 in Pontyates and anything other than a similar win will disappoint the Neyland faithful.
Fishguard & Goodwick v St Davids
Fishguard start as hot favourites as they are moving up the table whilst the Saints are languishing near the bottom with just a win and a draw from their 12 matches – but these local derbies are usually close, with the Seagulls wining 6-3 at home!The Saints will battle like demons but I think Fishguard will have just a little too much fire-power for them on this occasion.
Swansea Uplands v Milford Haven
This is the easiest result to predict as Milford stand as hot favourites for promotion and the Uplands lost 102-3 at Cefneithin last Saturday, but might be a little tougher at home.The Mariners won 46-0 at The Obs and must win with ease to maintain their proud unbeaten record.
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