Championship Division:

 

Otters need a win now

Narberth v Ystalyfera

I’m sure there won’t be an air of panic at The Lewis Lloyd Ground yet but Narberth find themselves in eighth place in this hugely competitive section of Welsh Rugby, an unaccustomed spot after so many years consistently in the top three.

After the euphoria of a 52-5 win against Cardiff Met they have lost three on the trot, including a narrow loss to Glamorgan Wanderers at home and, the most worrying of them all, a 41-22 reverse at lowly Beddau last Saturday after they had led 22-0 early on.

Verdict: Canny coach Sean Gale must have already targetted this game against 11th-placed Ystalyfera as a must-win and now that has even more importance and I’m confident that The Otters will win here – but they have to get into that winning mentality again before some tough matches after the New Year.

 

Division One (West):

Borderers to battle to a vital victory

Gowerton v Whitland


Whitland will travel to Gowerton in search of the double, having beaten them 22-16 on the opening day of the season. The Borderers won well at Lowly Llanelli Wanderers, with Ashley Sutton grabbing two tries on his debut and on paper they should win against Gowerton, who are seventh in the table.

Verdict: Whitland are a gritty side who deserve their current fifth place by dint of the fact that they often battle to victory by narrow margins and I think they can repeat the process here, if they get a good start.





 

Crymych might find it hard going at Llan

Llangennech v Crymych

Crymych face a real challenge this Saturday as they play at Llangennech in the knowledge that the opposition has won six out of eight league matches and stand in third place.

Yet The Preseli Men beat them by 31-21 on the opening day, although they have only won once since then in seven league fixtures.

Verdict: It seems to be very much a transitional time for Randall Williams and his troops as they sit just above the bottom two and need to build some momentum. Sadly, I think they might have to wait for the New Year because I expect Llangennech to gain revenge on Saturday!

 

Scarlets must start winning

Pembroke v Aberystwyth

When Pembroke returned from Aberystwyth on the first day they had shared 50 points and felt it was a decent enough start after two promotions on the trot – but in their hearts felt they had done enough to win on the road.

But since then there have been too many ‘might have beens’ for The Scarlets and they sit at the foot of the section table having only once in seven starts since then.

Verdict: The Scarlets have some very experienced players mixed with youthful talent but they must have a little more grit late on and not allow the opposition to score vital late points, as they did last week at home to Gorseinon.

This is a chance to start redressing the balance and I expect them to beat Aber – and begin their climb up the table!

 

Division Two (West):

 

Seagulls must fly high at The Moors

Fishguard & Goodwick v Kidwelly

It’s been a funny old season for Fishguard & Goodwick but at the half way mark in the campaign they stand seventh with three wins, a draw and three losses – and might have been comfortably in the top half of the table with just a little more luck and more taking of the right options at key moments.

The Seagulls will be seeking a double at The Moors having already beaten Kidwelly 24-15 in the away match, with the opposition in bottom place having only once from seven outings.

Verdict: It is a ‘must win’ match and The Seagulls under Chris Shousha’s leadership need a strong start so that they don’t create unnecessary pressure on themselves – and then they might even pouch a bonus point as well!

 





 

Self-belief needed on the road with The Mariners

Pontarddulais v Milford Haven

Fifth-placed Milford Haven travel to Pontarddulais, who are second in the table, despite losing four of their ten matches, more games than anyone else in the section.

The Mariners beat them 38-24 at The Obs but coach Nathan Williams knows that to make a real impact they need to match that home form (4 wins out of four) they need to do better on the road.

Verdict: If Milford can play like they do at home they can beat anyone in the division, including The Bont. Just have a bit more self-belief boys!



 

Seasiders seeking to end year in style

Tenby United v Nantgaredig

Tenby United lost 20-10 at Nantgaredig to start their season and since then they have only won three of their six games since then – but are gaining experience all the time with a relatively young side.

Nantgaredig are an ambitious club who currently occupy fourth place but they have lost four as well as winning five matches so can be beaten if The Seasiders play to their full potential.

Verdict:  Same thoughts as per Pembroke in terms of self-belief. If The Seasiders had won a few of their narrow defeats they would be far higher up the table and excellent coach Jonathan Evans will be looking to boost their points total here.





 

Division Three (West) A:

Cardis to gain revenge

Cardigan v Llangwm

Cardigan suffered a surprise early defeat at Pill Parks as Llangwm played really well - and have only won three times since.

The Teifisiders beat Neyland last week with seven tries and will be looking forward to trying to add another bonus-point success but know they will face a tough task against The Wasps.

Verdict: Cardigan certainly haven’t found the position they hoped for pre-season but are growing in confidence and although Gethin Thomas, Lewis Murphy and Josh Hicks will lead a stern Llangwm challenge they might find The Cardis eager to gain revenge for that 10-7 loss!




 

Blues to bag bonus point win

Haverfordwest v Neyland

Haverfordwest take on neighbours Neyland at Pembroke Road looking to bounce back from a disappointing defeat at home to Lampeter Town last Saturday with Neyland trying to improve from a 46-15 reverse in Cardigan.

The All Blacks deserve a medal for battling through in adversity, with coaches Graham Richards and Steve Evans, plus team manager Peter Davies, on the replacements’ bench.

Verdict: Blues’ coach Steve Barnett will be demanding nowt else but a bonus point win and it is hard to go against that sort of score on Saturday – although I hope The All Blacks will be able to field their strongest side.

 

Can the Quins halt Lampeter’s recent good form?

Pembroke Dock Harlequins v Lampeter Town

Lampeter kept in top spot with their hard-earned victory against Haverfordwest and travel again to Bierspool, where Pembroke Dock Harlequins will hope to improve on their third place.

The Quins made a terrific start to their campaign by winning 22-8 in Lampeter but after a four-match winning start they have lost three times since whilst winning just one.

Verdict: Quins’ coaches Neil Machin and Ian Osbourne will be looking for a positive result but although I hope I’m wrong I think The Town’s missing forwards will be back and might just be the deciding factor.



 

Carmarthenshire to win the Battle of the Saints

St Clears v St Davids

St Clears host St Davids in the battle of the Saints, having won 79-7 in Ty Ddewi and it would be a brave man who bet against them achieving a high-scoring double here.

Verdict: St Davids will give 100% under coach Gethin Bateman but it is almost a certainty that opposite number will wear the bigger smile afterwards!

 

Close to call in section’s top clash

Aberaeron v Laugharne

Aberaeron entertain Laugharne in what is in my opinion the division’s top clash of the day, despite respective positions of sixth and fifth.

Bot play some good rugby and Aberaeron are now in the quarter-finals of the WRU National Bowl, whilst Laugharne will take on Tumble in a bid to reach the same stage.

Verdict: Laugharne won 30-23 with home advantage and I think the result will be reversed here by a similarly close margin – although I know The Laugharnees will be delighted if they prove me wrong!

 

Llan are favourites to win Tregaron

Tregaron v Llanybydder

Llanybydder travel to Tregaron looking to enhance their seventh place by beating Tregaron (10th – having won only two matches from eight starts).

This will be the first time these sides have played each other this season, with Llanybydder seventh and having won 25-3 at Llangwm in their most recent league fixture.

Verdict: I’ll go for Llanybydder as the stronger all-round team.