RUGBY WEST PREVIEW
Sportsline takes a look at the big weekend fixtures involving Crymych, Cardigan, Aberystwyth, Lampeter, Aberaeron, Llanybydder and Fishguard.
Only a point separates Crymych and Penclawdd in Division One west and there promises to be little between the teams tomorrow when they lock horns down at the Rec, a field that enjoys panoramic views over the Loughor estuary.
There will be no time to take in the views tomorrow afternoon as the Cocklemen will be keen to avenge a narrow two point defeat at the hands of Tom Powell and co at Parc Lloyd Thomas back in September in what was an exciting affair despite a low scoreline.
The Preselimen were on cloud nine last Saturday evening after toppling league leaders Kidwelly but it will be a lot different this weekend as they have a few key players missing for this tough encounter. Outside half Jake Jenkins is out and Neil Machin has had to draft in experienced campaigner Gareth Davies following a long spell out with injury. Davies played with Cardigan just after coming out of the Crymych youth system in the old Heineken league days and was one of the best footballing number tens to have worn the shirt at the King George in recent times. He didn’t stay long but was sorely missed when he left. His big match experience will be key.
The are also problems in the second row as there is no natural partner for Dion Gibby and utility forward Andrew Fletcher, who is more at home in the front row has been brought in from the second team. Another who is unavailable is full back Gavin Thomas and he has been replaced by Sion Thomas.
Penclawdd are on a roll and have won their last three matches including a game against high fliers Aberystwyth and they will be favourites to add another win tomorrow but you just never know with Crymych these days!
Aberystwyth who were convincing winners over Gorseinon at Plascrug last time out face second placed side Llanelli Wanderers at Stradey and the Ceredigion men face a difficult task against a team that have yet to lose at home this term. The Aber coaches will be buoyed by the fact that Gorseinion were the last team to beat the Wanderers just a few weeks ago so they will travel in an optimistic mood.
Cardigan entertain Llangwm in Division 3 West and it will be more of a case of by how much rather than anything else as the Wasps are a very poor side and have only won two matches and both those were against bottom team St Davids. The championship chasers won convincingly away at Pill Park and expect them to do so again at the King George but by more points as they are in very good form.
Players and supporters at Cardigan will be more interested in finding out the result of tomorrow’s game between Milford and St Clears, the two teams fighting it out with the Cardi’s for promotion. If the Saints lose to Milford Colin Horscroft and his men will have an opportunity to put St Clears out of the title race the following weekend when they meet.
In Division Two west Llanybydder entertain bottom side Haverfordwest in a must win game for the Carmarthenshire outfit otherwise they will get dragged down into the relegation area and into a dog fight they could do without. Fishguard face a similar situation and they really need to win their home game against relegation strugglers Carmarthen Athletic or they will be joining the likes of Haverfordwest in the danger zone.
In Division 3 west B Lampeter will be more than keen to make up for a dismal result last week when they lost out to Llangadog at home. Penybanc are the opposition this time around and the Ceredigion outfit will surely bounce back with a win.
Aberaeron travel to Llandybie to take on a Division 3 west C team that have won every game to date this season and it will take a big improvement for the seasiders to get anything out of this encounter.
