Bruce Evans forecasts local rugby teams' fortunes at the weekend

The Championship:

Whitland travel to league leaders Ebbw Vale, each week leaving the Borderers less time to escape the drop to Division One (West). They famously beat Ebbw at home in October but have not been able to build on that victory. The long journey to Gwent will not be an easy one and I have to go for a home win.

Meanwhile Narberth receive Bargoed at the Lewis Lloyd Ground and I am struggling to predict this but will go for a home win on the basis of my heart over-ruling my head. The Otters have lost two of the last three and need a win to maintain their push for a top four position come May. But Bargoed lie second in the table and beat the Otters 49 – 17 at home in October. The upside for Narberth is that the visitors haven`t played a match (that I can find) since 12th January! 

Division Two (West):

Here we have the Pembrokeshire derby of the day as a resurgent Haverfordwest, disappointed not to have played Builth at home last week, make the short journey into the Preselis to the home of Crymych. The Preseli Men are a comfortable sixth whilst the January wins for the Blues have yet to lift them out of the relegation zone. The battle is still between them, Taibach and Penclawdd, who gained an important home win last Saturday. Unfortunately Crymych will not be doing the Blues any favours, and I can`t see beyond a home win.

Division Three (West):

The relegation battle is also keen in this division and  three of the teams involved are reviewed here. Cardigan (in ninth spot) were unable to add to some good recent wins last week but did get a bonus point from their visit to Pontardulais. This week 5th placed Llanelli Wanderers arrive fresh from last week`s 59 – 22 defeat of Milford. I don`t think there`ll be more than a score in it but I think the Wanderers will sneak it.

Tenby United, whose early season promise has faded badly, travel into Cardiganshire hoping to spark a late drive for promotion against 11th placed Lampeter. They`ll do Milford and Cardigan a favour by winning and I think they will. 

Eighth placed Llandeilo is one of the few teams that tenth-placed Milford Haven has beaten this season, but since then Llandeilo has climbed the table whilst the Mariners have failed to win a league match for over three months. My heart hopes but my head says a home win for the Carmarthenshire side.

Division Four (West):

Neyland really tore up the form book last weekend! After letting me down on so many occasions this season I`d given up and predicted another defeat, but what a win, a real nail biter that went to the wire. Can they follow that up? They travel to fourth- placed Hendy but there is hope as the home side have lost their last two. But it`s a big ask and they will need to find elsewhere the points necessary to catch Aberaeron in tenth place. I go for a home win. 

I am sure Fishguard & Goodwick will be smarting from their defeat two weeks ago, especially as it seems they froze on the day. They have a chance to make amends this Saturday, away at Furnace, who will also be unhappy with their loss at Neyland. Fishguard should have a lot of confidence in the bag from this season and I`m going for an away win.

Division Five (West):

In Division Five (West) the battle against relegation continues for Llangwm and St.Davids. Both have tough tasks this weekend, especiallySt Davids, who travel to top of the table Gowerton.  I see them getting little change out of this one.

Similarly, I can't see Llangwm picking up points at eighth-placed Cefneithin.

At the other end of the table, fifth-placed Pembroke Dock Quins also have a tough fixture home against third-placed Swansea Uplands. I'm going to back them on this and forecast a Dock win.

This could help out their arch rivals Pembroke, who are still in with a shout of promotion as the Scarlets should beat  seventh-placedPenygroes and keep the pressure on New Dock Stars.