Championship:

 

Ottters face an uphill struggle

Bedwas v Narberth

After a home defeat against Pontypool last Saturday Narberth face another real challenge this weekend as they have to travel to take on Bedwas, a village side near Caerphilly but somehow having the resources to have a team which, like Pooler, have won all four league matches so far. The Otters’ management team, led by Sean Gale, know how demanding this section now is and might have targetted this tussle as one they don’t expect to gain much from but the players will give 100% as usual.

Verdict: A win for Bedwas and The Otters will do well to get a bonus point!

 

 

Division Two (West):

 

Seagulls are not the best travellers!

Burry Port v Fishguard & Goodwick

Fishguard & Goodwick missed out by a whisker at table-topping Mumbles at The Moors and now have to raise the tempo again as they travel to Burry Port, where the home side also boasts a 100% record after four games following a 22-17 win at Pontarddulais in their last fixture. The Seagulls are in fifth place after two wins and a draw before their 31-29 loss against Mumbles.

Verdict: I’m tempted to go for The Seagulls but they are not the best travellers so I’ll go for Burry Port – but I hope I’m wrong!

 

Seasiders need success and should get a win here

Tenby United v Loughor

Tenby United are definitely on the up after their home success was followed last Saturday by a single-point defeat at Pontyberem and coach Jonathan Evans is certainly having an impact on a youngish Seasiders’ squad. They are now in seventh spot in the section table and entertain Loughor, who are two places lower and lost 25-20 at home to Nantgaredig last weekend.

Verdict: These teams have identical records but Tenby have collected more bonus points than Loughor – and I expect The Seasiders to win a close-fought contest.

 

Division Three (West) A:

 

Saints to push hard but Tregaron look stronger

St Davids v Tregaron

No-one admires St Davids more than I do and new coach Gethin Bateman is doing a rattling good job as well as still playing, as previous incumbent Ianto Davies did – but it is already proving hard work, with four defeats in as many matches.

They play host to Tregaron, who have a stronger squad than their eighth-place in the table might suggest, with a 48-19 victory at home to Llangwm last Saturday – with pacy wingers Aled Jones and Chris Williams sharing five of them.

Verdict: The Saints struggle to field a settled squad but should have more players available for this match – but I still think Tregaron will have too much fire-power over the full 80 minutes!

 

Carms Saints look good here

St Clears v Cardigan

To be honest, both teams are lower in the table than I would have expected, with sixth-placed St Clears winning twice from four starts and Cardigan losing two out of three – but I fully expect to see them moving up as the campaign unfolds.

Verdict: Home advantage should play a part against fairly evenly-matched sides but I think The Saints will win with a little in hand!

 

WRU Plate Round Two:

 

Evenly-matched outfits – but Llangennech hold the slight edge

Llangennech v Crymych

Llangennech sit in third place in Division One (West) whilst Crymych are sixth but after beating Fishguard 29-7 in the first round The Preseli Men are up for a cup run, especially after beating Gorseinon 30-10 last weekend whilst Llangennech showed their skills in a 47-35 home win over Whitland.

Verdict: Randall Williams’  Crymych will battle all the way but Llangennech are a good side, especially at home – so I reluctantly have to go for a comfortable home win!

 

Borderers to win but it could be a banana skin

Maesteg Celtic v Whitland

Whitland must start as slight favourites as they travel to Division Two (West Central) side Maesteg Central but coach Gareth Bennett will be eager to put that tag aside because Celtic are fourth in the table, having lost just once in four matches and having beaten Morriston 38-26 in the previous round. The Borderers are currently fifth in a tough Division One (West) and showed their typical grit with a 31-28 victory at Penclawdd.

Verdict: As tough a prediction as the game itself is likely to be – but I think The Borderers will move into Round Three if they are at full strength!

 
 

WRU Bowl Round Two:

 

Blues to bag victory over Llan

Llanybydder v Haverfordwest

Rugby trips to Llanybydder are never easy but Haverfordwest go there for this second round WRU Bowl match full of confidence after their cracking 27-0 win over Laugharne maintained their unbeaten start and took away the opposition’s unbeaten record.

Llan beat St Clears 22-17 in their previous bowl match but have lost all three league games against St Clears, Lampeter and Aberaeron – but are never easy to beat at their home ground.

Verdict: I saw The Blues comfortably beat Laugharne and if Steve Barnett’s Boys can repeat that form on the road they should ease through with something in hand!

 

Long trip and real battle for Laugharne

Wrexham v Laugharne

Laugharne face a very early start for their long trip to taken on Wrexham, who are currently second in Division Two (North) having won all their three league matches so far. Laugharne had the same record until they lost at Haverfordwest in their previous match but are a very good side under coach Gary Price.

Verdict: It’s a monster trip for The Laugharnees and so I go for Wrexham on the grounds of a bit of travel sickness – but I hope the visitors prove me wrong!

 

Aber could snatch the verdict here

Newtown v Aberaeron

Aberaeron are another side having to travel north but I think that they have the wherewithal to come back with a morale-boosting win if they have a full squad, as they did when winning 49-10 at Llandybie in Round One. Newton are currently sixth in Division Two (West) and had a walk-over in the previous round because Llanidloes didn’t travel!

Verdict: I think it will be tight but I believe that Aberaeron have the wherewithal to come back with a morale-boosting win if they have a full squad – and are capable of a good run in the competition.