Championship:

 

Tough tussle but The Otters should win it!

Beddau v Narberth

Narberth have so far won four of their eight matches, having lost a few on the trot lately and now sitting in eighth place as opponents Beddau are three places below with two victories in eight starts.

It is now evident that The Otters know how tough this section is because there is no such thing as an easy match any more against the likes of world-famous Pontypool and after the change of status of other former top class clubs like Neath, Glamorgan Wanderers and Cross Keys.

Beddau, just a few miles from Pontypridd,  are three places below Narberth, having won only two of their six games, but capable of beating anyone in the bottom half of the table, on a good day, especially at home.

Verdict: I'm really hoping for an away win for Sean Gale's boys but they will have to be on top of their form!

 

Division One (West)

 

Borderers must raise their tempo

Llanelli Wanderers v Whitland

Whitland showed all their battling qualities to fight back against Penclawdd when they were 12 points adrift late on - but they will need to make fewer mistakes against Llanelli Wanderers, who have moved up to ninth place after beating Crymych and obviously finding a bit of form of late.

Whitland played a much-changed side in their shock KO Cup defeat at home to Tenby United but even at full strength they need to polish their ball-winning and retention skills.

The Borderers are in a creditable fifth spot but haven't looked totally convincing, even in some of their successes so coaches Gareth Bennett, Nico Setaro and Dai Ebsworth will be eager to see them firing on all cylinders.

Verdict: I forecast a Borderers' victory if they play well – but they have to considerably raise the tempo here!



 

Preseli Men face a difficult challenge

Newcastle Emlyn v Crymych

Crymych are currently in a crisis of confidence after losing to teams they should have beaten and this is an even tougher tussle against old rivals Newcastle Emlyn, who are very much front runners alongside Felinfoel, but the only unbeaten side after seven successive wins.

It leaves Crymych in the bottom two but The Preseli Men are capable of beating anyone on their day and hopefully they will have a full squad in training so that Randall Williams and his coaching staff can formulate a plan of campaign at Ddol Wiber.

Verdict: I would love to see Crymych claim a third win of the season that will move him out of the bottom two but I can only see an eighth win for Emlyn!

 

Can Scarlets get off the foot of the table?

Pembroke v Gorseinon

Pembroke have played quite well in patches but have yet to really find their feet in this much tougher division as they have won one and drawn another.

They have struggled somewhat with injuries to key players and as hard as their younger element have performed it is a massive step up for them.

Verdict: Coach Geraint Lewis has been very patient because he knows that his young talent needs nurturing - but The Scarlets are now bottom of the table and so remedial action is vital so that they climb the table and perhaps this home match with sixth-placed Gorseinon (won three. lost five) is a good place to start!

 

Division Two (West):

Mariners badly need an away success

Loughor v Milford Haven

Milford have played really well at The Obs with a 100% record from their four matches - but they have the same percentage, albeit an all-defeat record, after promotion at the end of last season.

This weekend they have the chance to reverse that trend because they are playing at Loughor, who are currently 11th after losing seven of their nine matches, but are no mugs, especially at home.

Verdict: This could be The Mariners' chance to break their away duck and I'm sure that Nathan Williams, Steve Martin and Andrew Williams will be focussing on a special performance - and this could be it if they are at full strength!

 

Seagulls might suffer at The Bont

Pontarddulais v Fishguard & Goodwick

Much is made of The Seagulls slow starting, especially at away matches, but they are a good side well coached by Nathan and Steve Jenkins and on their day are a match for most.

They are currently sixth in the table, with three wins and a draw from six starts but Pontarddulais are clearly full of confidence in second place but have lost four of their nine games so can be beaten if The Seagulls play to their best form.

Verdict: I would love to see The Seagulls soar to success but I’ll say the same as other pundits – they can’t gift points early on. So I have to tip The Bont but hope I’m proved radically wrong by one of my favourite teams!


 

Seasiders face undefeated table toppers

Tenby United v Burry Port

Tenby United  have home advantage against Burry Port but know that they are facing a tough task despite playing at Heywood Lane. Coach Jonathan Evans faces an interesting puzzle in selection because so many young players given their chance against Whitland took it with open hands and must stay in contention against a Burry Port outfit which has won all eight of its league fixtures and scored a heap of points in the process.

Verdict: The Seasiders are beginning to find their feat after a slow start but allowing for that fact I still have to tip Burry Port in this fixture because they are a little too strong for this section.

 

Division Three (West) A:

 

Will home advantage tip this match in the Cardis’ favour?

Cardigan v Neyland

Cardigan are two places below Neyland and so The All Blacks must start as slight favourites here, although they are not always able to field really strong squads away from The Athletic Ground. They have three wins and the same number of defeats in eighth place whilst The Teifisiders have only two wins in eight starts.

It is an intriguing match-up as the verdict could go either way.

Verdict: I have to let my heart rule the roost here – I’ll go for a win for The Pembrokeshire All Blacks!



 

The Blues to make home advantage pay off

Haverfordwest v Lampeter

This is the section’s top match as section leaders Lampeter Town arrive at Pembroke Road looking to cause a set-back in the promotion hopes of Haverfordwest.

The Blues are currently fifth with only one defeat alongside five wins and a draw whilst the opposition have a similar record but with an extra loss as proof of how tight it is at the top.

Verdict: It should be tight but if The Blues can play anywhere as near as they did in beating another really good side as Laugharne they will leap-frog the Mid Wales outfit. Unaia Balekinasiga could be a key player for The Blues.

 

Will The Quins bounce back to winning ways?

Pembroke Dock Harlequins v Tregaron

After two successive defeats, against fellow promotion hopefuls Haverfordwest and Llanybydder, The Quins will be eager to bounce back to winning ways as they play hosts at Bierspool to ninth-placed Tregaron (played eight, won two).

Coaches Neil Machin and Ian Osbourne know that this sort of match is one they have to win and will be hopeful of a full squad after several injuries.

Verdict: This would have to be my banker bet if The Quins are at something like their full strength!


 

Carms Saints too strong for The Wasps

St Clears v Llangwm

This is another game where there should be only one winner if the form book works out because The Carmarthenshire Saints as riding high in second spot with The Wasps are second bottom.

There is no doubt that The Wasps will give it their all and could still be in contention at the half way stage but St Clears mix of experience and strength up front is likely to prove vital.

Verdict: The Carmarthenshire Saints are hot favourites, probably with a bonus point!

 

WRU Bowl Competition:

 

Home advantage should be vital for Aber

Aberaeron v Caerau Ely

After their terrific win in the last round Aberaeron should start as favourites to reach the last eight against a Cardiff-based side which plays its league rugby in Division Three (East Central) B and are currently fourth, having won three of their five games.

Caerau Ely beat Cefn Cribbwr 19-16 in the previous round, another club from the same section as them, and my mole in the area tells me they are no mugs.

Verdict: I’ve thought that Aberaeron had a chance in this competition since I saw them early in the season – and nothing so far has changed my mind – so come on Aber!

 

Laugharne can show true grit

Tumble v Laugharne

Like appreciating section rivals Aberaeron I was immediately impressed when I saw them, even after I’d witnessed their blip at Haverfordwest.

They are experienced and strong up front, have flair in their back division and can tough it out when required.

Tumble are third in Division Three (West) B, having won five and drawn one of eight fixtures so will be a challenge, especially with home advantage.

Verdict: I have confidence in Laugharne here, but it is going to be mightily tough and so they will have to be on their top form!