Friday rugby preview
Newcastle Emlyn,Cardigan and Crymych are all off on their travels tomorrow.
Cardigan have been boosted by the news that hard running number eight Colin Davies has recovered from injury and is fit to face Pembroke in the match of the day at Crickmarren.
Davies who was outstanding last time out against Usk in the WRU Bowl is a key player and an inspirational ball carrier and his presence alongside powerful blind side and skipper Llyr Griffiths is crucial to the chances of Cardigan winning this top of the table affair.
The Scarlets boast an unbeaten record in this campaign with five wins from five starts and this promises to be a bruising battle but the Pembrokeshire side have only played one of the top teams so far and this test against the Cardi’s will be a proper gauge as to their title credentials.
Pembroke coach Geraint Lewis and his team have enjoyed narrow wins over Neyland and Pembroke Dock Quins followed by comfortable victories over division strugglers St Davids and Tregaron and they topped this off with a two point win over division high fliers Milford Haven.
The Scarlets have some promising youngsters coming up through the ranks including back rower Jordan Evans alongside hard running number eight Sam Smith and powerful prop Dom Colman.
Scrum half Lewis Gibby is a talented footballer and centre Billy Wood who is expected to be back from injury is the leading try scorer and a tricky runner and at full back young Luke Hartland is a cultured player and has an accurate boot.
Cardigan will rely on several key partnerships that have served them well in recent weeks. Luke Rogers, who seems to be getting better as the weeks go on will start at stand off with Aaron Evans at inside half and influential centre Emyr Harries comes back into the team and is likely to team up with Marcus Castle.
Talented footballer John Lumb will play at full back and he needs to get his hands on the ball early as he has enough power and pace to cause the Scarlets plenty of problems.
Up front Griffiths and Davies will combine with either Kieran Hurley or Gareth Clifford whilst in the front row Horscroft is likely to go with former Emlyn hooker Bedwyr Davies and loose head prop Will Brice along with experienced tight head Richard Jones.
The Cardi’s have had some very stiff tests in recent weeks and they have come through all of them with a victory and more importantly they have started to gel as a team and with great spirit.
Llyr Griffiths and his men should just have enough all round strength in depth to win this one.
Higher up the leagues.
Newcastle Emlyn and Crymych return to action this weekend after a fortnight break and both take on teams with a similar record in their respective leagues.
Bedlinog v Newcastle Emlyn
In the WRU Championship the red and whites take on a Bedlinog side who are enjoying an impressive streak that includes four wins in five games with the only defeat coming away at Pontypool where they went down by just three points. The Merthyr Tydfil based side are on a hat trick after wins over Skewen and Beddau and this represents another tough encounter for the Ddol Wiber men especially away from home.
Emlyn have added to their ranks this week with the transfer of talented young loose head prop Ceiron Evans from St Josephs and they will be looking for another big performance following their fine display against runaway leaders Pontypool last time out. Bedlinog will pose similar problems to Pooler in that they have a mighty pack of forwards but skipper Alex Williams and his men will travel in an optimistic mood on the back of their best performance of the season.
Llangennech v Crymych
The Preselimen who have made a few changes behind the scenes with their coaching set up are away at Llangennech, a team well established in division one and just below them in the table.
Skipper Tom Powell and his men will be looking to climb up the table and catch up Aberystwyth who are just above them and who play at Parc Lloyd Thomas in two weeks time.
Crymych had yet to release details of their starting line up but they will rely largely on a tried and tested squad of players who have served them well so far this term.
Hard tackling flanker Powell will lead from the front with the back up of reliable number eight Guto Davies and blind side Dylan Phillips with Rhys Davies and Dion Gibby in the engine room and Aled Harries and co in the front row.
Mathew Roebuck will be the likely choice at scrum half with Rhys Davies at stand off although Jake Jenkins may also be available for selection following a red card. Tomos Phillips,Dylan Thomas Carwyn Phillips, Guto Harries and Gethin Gibby are likely to figure in the back line.
Llangennech have lost their last two home games and Crymych supporters will be hoping for a hat trick tomorrow afternoon!
