Championship:

Otters seek bonus point win

Narberth v Tata Steel

This is a match where Narberth take on basement club Tata Steel – so long one of the top sides in the section but having fallen on hard times this campaign.

Forecast: The Otters won 28-15 away and should be seeking to improve on that result here!

 

Photo: Nick Gale - six penalties when the teams last met

 

Division One (West):

Tough tussle for Preseli Men

Felinfoel v Crymych

Crymych travel to Felinfoel in the knowledge the opposition are deservedly in second spot, having won eight of their ten matches in this tough section.

Forecast: The Preseli Men lost by 13-6 at home in September but know they will have to up the stakes again as Foel are strong at home and I think they will do well to pouch  a losing bonus point!



 

Photo: Crymych coach Randal Williams - needs his team to up the ante

Borderers will have to battle against top dogs

Newcastle Emlyn v Whitland

Whitland’s excellent 34-0 win against Pembroke will have put them in good hwyl but they now travel to Ddol Wiber to meet the section’s top dogs in Newcastle Emlyn – and this match will test their capabilities to the full.

Verdict: Emlyn showed what a strong squad they now have with a 31-10 success at Parc Llwyn Ty Gwyn and are hot favourites to maintain their 100% record in their tenth match.

 

Photo: Jack Mason - a key player for Whitland

 

Scarlets desperate for a boost of morale

Pembroke v Penclawdd

Pembroke still find themselves holding up the table and have to raise the tempo after that heavy defeat against Whitland. Coach Geraint Lewis and skipper Scott Powell have a good chance to instil some much needed confidence with home advantage over Penclawdd.

 

Verdict: The Cocklemen are currently ninth in the table and seeking the double after a narrow 29-24 win when the teams last met – but I hope The Scarlets can rise to the challenge and start 2020 with a bang.



Photo: Scott Powell - scored a try for Pembroke at Penclawdd

 

Division Two (West):

Seagulls need to start well – and keep plugging away

 

Fishguard & Goodwick v Tycroes

 

When these teams met at Tycroes early in the season they shared 72 points in a thriller – but since then the visitors have moved into the top four with five wins and three losses, whist The Seagulls have won four of their other seven games.

Verdict: If The Seagulls start well they are capable of upsetting the applecart and it will be interesting to see if their very experienced replacements can exert their considerable influence.


Photo: Nathan & Steve Jenkins - Seagulls' coaches

 

Can The Mariners break their away duck?

Kidwelly v Milford Haven

 

Milford have won all four of their home matches but are without a win in five matches on the road. This week sees them travel to bottom club Kidwelly, who have only recorded two victories from ten starts.

Verdict: This is a golden chance for Milford and I fully expect them to break their duck in away games – so come on you Mariners!

 

Photo:  Lee Riley - two tries for Milford Haven against Kidwelly at The Obs

 

Another tough challenege for Evans' boys

Carmarthen Athletic v Tenby United

 

Tenby United haven’t had the best of  luck in losing several matches by narrow margins but when these teams met at Heywood Lane they won an enthralling clash by 37-30.

Verdict: The Athletic are lying sixth in the table (five wins and four defeats) whilst The Seasiders are ninth so it looks like a home win but I hope Jonathan Evans’ boys can rise to the occasion and complete the double – but my head tells me a home win is the likely outcome.


 

Photo: Tenby coach Jonathan Evans - looking for a Tenby victory

 

Division Three (West) A:

Blues looking to boost their 'points for' column

 

Haverfordwest v St Davids

Haverfordwest are eager to keep their place in the chase for promotion and so coach Steve Barnett and skipper Matty Phillips will be impressing on their squad the need to not take St Davids for granted. The Saints’ coach Gethin Bateman has done a good job, despite his side still seeking a win after losing 11 games on the trot – whilst The Blues have won seven and draw one of their ten starts.
 

Verdict: Haverfordwest won 38-15 in Ty Ddewi and will be very keen to increase their ‘points for’ column in this return fixture.

 

Photo: Jack Evans - two tries when Haverfordwest previously beat St Davids


 

Quins looking for a win double against The Wasps

Pembroke Dock Harlequins v Llangwm

The Quins won by 57-10 at Pill Parks and expect Jack Price to return in the centre alongside newish recruit Josh Thomas, with The Wasps, as usual, up for the action as only they can.

Verdict: You have to go for The Quins by a biggish score but I think everyone in local rugby joins me in admiring Llangwm’s esprit de corps.

 

Photo: Jordan Asparassa in fine try scoring form for The Quins

 

Long distance travel for All Blacks

Tregaron v Neyland

Neyland have to make a long journey to Tregaron and it is to be hoped they will be at full strength as they try gain revenge for a 48-19 reverse at The Athletic Ground.

Verdict: The All Blacks are understandably not the best travellers at the moment with a small squad and they will do well to gain anything from this trek.

 Aber to shade a close encounter of the rugby kind?

 

St Clears v Aberaeron

This looks like the top match in the section as St Clears clash with Aberaeron and with bot teams eager to stay in the title race. A measure of how evenly the teams are matched can be gauged from the fact that Aberaeron won 12-7 with home advantage.

Verdict: It could swing on just one piece of brilliance or a daft error but if pushed I’ll go for Aberaeron – who seem to be on a bit of a roll!



Jordan Asparassa - 4 tries when The Quins beat Llangwm at Pill Parks