Championship Division:

 

Tough job on for The Otters

Bargoed v Narberth

Narberth have a real mountain to climb this weekend as they make the journey to high fliers Bargoed knowing that the opposition is one of the few sides in the section who are capable of putting any real pressure on leaders Pontypool, who sit on top of the table with a 100% record from their seven matches.

Bargoed are only just behind them having one draw alongside six victories, their latest being a 47-3 win over Ystalyfera, whilst The Otters disappointingly lost by two points at home to Glamorgan Wanderers.

It is a fair bet that Narberth coach Sean Gale would have targetted that fixture as one his side should have won and been realistic enough to rest a few key players for the trip to Bargoed knowing that it was going to be one of the toughest trips his squad would make during the campaign.

Verdict: I was wrong about The Otters last week and so I hope they prove me incorrect again this week because I can only see a home win - and with a bonus point - so prove me wrong boys!

 

Division One (West):

 

Scarlets need to start winning again

Pembroke v Yr Hendy

Pembroke's recent results have sent them into the bottom four in the section table and whilst they have had injury problems so have other clubs - and The Scarlets need to get back into a winning mode, if only to refresh their confidence.

Unfortunately there are no gifts from clubs at this level, like fourth-placed Yr Hendy (five wins and two losses), and so it is vital that they start making Crickmarren a fortress again so that other clubs hate a visit there.

Verdict: The odds are against The Scarlets, even with home advantage, but I'm hoping that Scott Powell and his boys can play their attacking brand of rugby, initiated by the pack's hard work, and gain a surprise result!

 

Preseli Men must pouch these points

Gowerton v Crymych

Crymych disappointed by losing to bottom club Llanelli Wanderers at Parc Lloyd Thomas and now travel to meet Gowerton, who have dropped into the wooden spoon position after The Wanderers' unlikely win.

Gowerton have played seven league matches and claimed one win and one draw so they will hope to find The Preseli Men full of an early festive season spirit; the home side has now won only two of six starts.

Verdict: I would have loved to be a fly on the changing room wall at Crymych last Saturday at about 4.15pm and wouldn't mind being there to hear what coach Randall Williams says pre-match at Gowerton - and I'm confident that the visitors will be aware of the need to beat clubs sitting where the opposition are!

 

Division Two (West):

Seagulls travel sickness needs addressing!

Pontyberem v Fishguard & Goodwick

Fishguard and Goodwick are an enigmatic side in the sense that they can play like league leaders or basement battlers, especially in away games since they are not the best travellers.

Now they journey to Pontyberem, who are seventh after winning three out of seven starts, whilst The Seagulls have two wins, a draw and two losses - and were without a match last Saturday as The Moors was too wet.

So it will be all the more important that coaches Nathan and Steve Jenkins get their boys warmed up thoroughly so they don't gift early points.

Verdict: The Seagulls are currently eighth but have a squad that could take them much higher so I hope they win here - perhaps some exercises on the bus might be the start!






 

Mariners start as favourites here

Carmarthen Athletic v Milford Haven

Milford Haven beat Tenby United at home last Saturday and so boosted their expectations for a visit to Carmarthen Athletic, who are currently 10th after winning two out of five games so far.

The Mariners, under Nathan Williams, are third in the table and have three wins and two defeats in league tussles and know that on their day they can take on anyone on the division, with Sam Dolling leading from a powerful back row and a back division that has pace aplenty if their pack can gain parity.

Verdict: The Athletic will look to use their powerful pack but I'm hoping The Mariners can start well, grow in confidence and pocket the points!

 

‘Must win’ match for The Seasiders

Tenby United v Tycroes

Tenby United remain fifth despite their loss at The Obs last weekend and  are now at home to a Tycroes team four places below them in the table, with two wins and a draw from their five games.

The Seasiders have been playing well of late, with a fairly inexperienced squad, and coach Jonathan Evans will be eager that they bounce back to winning ways after doing well against Fishguard and Loughor.

Verdict: Coach Evans will have targetted this tussle as a 'must win' match and if they can share possession up front they have the backs to ease them to victory!



 

Division Three (West) A:

 

Quins start as favourites against under-achieving Blues

Haverfordwest v Pembroke Dock Harlequins

This could well be local rugby's match of the day as The Quins are currently sitting atop the table having won five out of six league matches, whilst Haverfordwest have dropped to a disappointing sixth after a bright start.

The Blues' 19-0 defeat at Llanybydder will have troubled coach Steve Barnett because he knows his team's capabilities and they should have been looking for an away win - He will surely have something lively to say pre-match at Pembroke Road!

The Quins, on the other hand, beat Cardigan 25-11 at Bierspool and will cross the Cleddau Bridge with high hopes of maintaining top spot under Neil Machin and Ian Osbourne.

Verdict: It could go either way but my mole in The Blues' camp tells me that they were without several key players in Mid Wales at a stag do in foreign parts so I'll  go for a Blues' win, but not without some reservations!

 

All Blacks seek bonus point success

St Davids v Neyland

St Davids entertain Neyland in this rearranged fixture hopeful of a rare success, especially after they played well at Pill Parks the previous Saturday and had a full squad of 22 players.

Neyland coaches Graham Richards and Steve Evans will have other ideas, however, and will be looking for a third win from six games and the chance to move up from their current seventh place in the section.

Verdict: You have to admire The Saints' resilience in a long series of defeats but The All Blacks will be expected to win here under skipper George Williams, with a bonus point too!

 

 

Teifisiders must use home advantage

Cardigan v Tregaron

This is almost a local derby for these two Ceredigion-based outfits, with Cardigan having a disappointing string of results and 11th place in the table having won only once from six outings.

Tregaron have won two from six to sit in ninth place and will be keen to inflict defeat on The Teifisiders by using their pack power

Verdict: Cardigan have struggled somewhat to field a settled squad and need to start using home advantage to the full - whilst Tregaron will be looking to use their powerful pack to the full. It should be close but I believe that playing home at King George Vth Playing Fields might just be the stimulus The Teifisiders need!

 

Saints should win this tough tussle

St Clears v Lampeter

This is a second versus third-placed clash between two teams with good records as St Clears have won four and drawn one of their seven outings whilst Lampeter have played one game fewer and only lost once.

 Lampeter drew 3-3 in a storm last Saturday against Aberaeron but previously beat Neyland and Cardigan, and put three figures against St Davids, whilst The Saints are very strong on home territory, as they proved with a 53-0 win against Cardigan.

Verdict: I'll go for St Clears, who are finding their feet after a slow start.

 

 

WRU Bowl Round Three:

 

Laugharne need another great Bowl away victory

Whitehead v Laugharne

I see Laugharne in with a real chance of making considerable headway in this year's competition but they face a tough challenge when they visit Whitehead from Division Three (East) B.

The opposition are currently in third place in that section but lost 18-20 to Nantglo so will be eager to redress that reversal but Laugharne are in good nick and had a great wins in the previous two rounds.

Verdict: Good luck to the Laugharnees and I'm confident that they can ease their way through against this Newport-based club.

 

Aberaeron should march on but it will be close!

Aberaeron v Nantyglo

Aberaeron are pleased with home advantage against Nantyglo, who are fourth in Division Three (East) B and whose four wins from five games include a narrow win by two points last weekend against Whitehead.

Verdict: Aberaeron looked a good side when I saw them twice recently and if their big guns like Rhodri Jenkins fire on the day they can go through!