CRYMYCH BACK ON TRACK

New interim coach Neil Machin takes charge of Crymych tomorrow when they entertain Ceredigion rivals Aberystwyth in Division 1 West.

Machin, who is a wood sculptor by trade and a former Tenby, Pembroke and Pembroke County coach will be looking to carve out a decent performance in his first game at the helm at Parc Lloyd Thomas.

He has been appointed to fill the void left by the recent departure of Lyn Williams, Elgan Vittle and Carwyn Jones who as coaches stepped down on block despite Crymych enjoying a decent run of form and picking up some very good results against some of the top sides in division one. The director of rugby Robin Davies though remains in office .

There is plenty of speculation with regards to why these experienced and well respected rugby men have decided to pull out but the Preselimen couldn’t have picked a better game to get back on track under a new coach and put these issues behind them.

The Plascrug men are just a few points above Tom Powell and his side and a win would put them up into the business end of the table just below the top two in Kidwelly and Llanelli Wanderers and in a position to actually threaten the promotion ambitions of the title chasers. Crymych have really punched well above their weight this season after losing some key players and their grit and determination has been very impressive under the leadership of open side Powell.

The Crymych team selected is a familiar line up with props Ifan James and Steffan Harries joined by livewire hooker Ifan Phillips with the dependable pairing of Rhys Davies and Dion Gibby in the powerhouse and Dylan Phillips,Tom Powell and number eight Guto Davies making up the back row. Davies in particular has been very consistent over the past few months and one of the stand out performers.

Mathew Roebuck and Rhys Davies are the half back combination entrusted to direct matters with Carwyn and Tomos Phillips in the centre and Guto Harries and Gethin Gibby on the wings. Gavin Thomas comes in at full back.

Aberystwyth RFC have suffered a very difficult time in recent weeks following the death of club stalwart Eifion Gwynne but they bounced back last weekend with a win over division two side Fishguard in the Pembrokeshire cup and they will travel across the border full of confidence.

Their recent league form has been very good with wins over Whitland, Llangennech and Llwchwr and they were unlucky to lose at Carmarthen Athletic by just a single point a few weeks ago. There seems little to choose between the two teams and this promises to be an entertaining fixture which should draw a decent crowd.

Kick off is at 2.30pm.

WRU CHAMPIONSHIP

Newcastle Emlyn entertain Skewen a team just a point below them in the Championship and the red and whites will have targeted this as a must win game when the fixtures first came out. Skewen edged out bottom side Newbridge by a point last time out but their young side were without a few key players for that game and will be stronger tomorrow.

Skipper and number eight Ed Price is a powerfull ball carrier alongside the likes of Richard Dunsford and Aled Mogford and they have some pace behind in Mark Harvey and Andrew Collins and they are a tough side to beat. Their only win away from home was a one point success at neighbours Dunvant a side struggling at the bottom and Emlyn coach Marc Lloyd will be confident of securing a fifth win of the season for the Ddol Wiber outfit.

The team for this game had yet to be made available to the media but it is a 1.30pm kick off.