EMLYN INJURY WOES CONTINUE

Rugby preview-West.

The weather looks like taking its toll on the league schedule tomorrow with heavy rain forecast overnight in South and West Wales and many games are likely to fall victim of the elements.

Games between Newcastle Emlyn and Dunvant are always tight affairs and tomorrow promises more of the same despite the lowly position of the hosts in the WRU Championship.

The Swansea side who started the season off with a win have only managed one victory since the opening day at Broadacre whereas Emlyn have moved into a comfortable mid table position.

However, the red and whites whose season has been blighted by injuries are struggling to field a side after losing another four players to long term injury last weekend against Carmarthen Quins.

Coach Marc Lloyd has managed to steer his team into a position of relative safety but he will be keen to add one more scalp to his belt especially as his squad is getting smaller by the week and becoming more vulnerable.

His side were worthy winners by 22-16 in the corresponding fixture at Ddol Wiber and a win double for inspirational skipper Alex Williams and his team would be most welcome at this time especially with division high fliers Tata Steel and Pontypool next up on their fixture list.

Crymych who suffered heavy defeat at the hands of Penclawdd on Saturday will fancy their chances of completing a double over Gorseinon at Parc Lloyd Thomas as they have a much better balance to their side than the one that took on the Cocklemen.

Blind side flanker Gethin Phillips returns after injury and this allows Rhys Davies to slot back into the second row alongside Dion Gibby with Richard Sharpe Williams moving to number eight next to captain and open side Tom Powell. Youth team hooker Lee Griffiths who impressed many in the win over league leaders Kidwelly a fortnight ago following a man of the match performance retains his place alongside props Steffan Harries and Lewis Davies.

Jake Jenkins comes back in at stand off and experienced playmaker Gareth Davies who returned from injury last weekend teams up with Tomos Phillips at centre. Tomos Lewis and Nick Bevan are on the wing with Sion Thomas at full back.

Aberystwyth, who were also well beaten last weekend albeit with a severely depleted team, entertain Felinfoel a side they narrowly beat away from home and coaches Craig Turner and Ifan Thomas will be looking to do the double and remain on course for a top three finish. The Llanelli based side have experienced a mixed season so far, with five wins from twelve, but they are always a tough nut to crack.

Skipper Lee Evans and his team have a much stronger side out tomorrow and this should an intriguing contest at Plascrug.

Fishguard have a must win game in division two against a side just below them in the shape of Pontyberem, one of four teams in the drop zone including Llanybydder who are away at division high fliers Tenby Utd.

In Division 3 West A the top of the table St Clears v Cardigan game has been postponed to give Cardigan players and supporters the opportunity to attend the funeral of former player Viv James.

Tregaron make the long journey to Pembroke Dock to play a Quins side that apart from a surprise win over Pembroke at Crickmarren have done nothing since and the North Ceredigion team could pull off a rare away win.

Lampeter need to bounce back to winning ways after two defeats on the trot against teams below them in Division 3West B. The north road men entertain Betws another team from the wrong end of the table and this promises to be a real mud wrestle of a game. Aberaeron are away at Bynea in Division 3West C.