WRU National League games involving Pembrokeshire sides for Saturday, December 30 (2.30pm):

Championship:
Newcastle Emlyn v Narberth

As negative as it sounds, The Otters head into the New Year playing for a second place finish, with unbeaten leaders Pontypool 14 points clear.

But Sean Gale’s men are currently well placed to be runners up, with their 54-15 hammering of Beddau before Christmas putting them six points clear of third placed Tata Steel.

But this will be a tricky test, against an Emlyn side who have picked up their form in their last three games with wins over Tata and Skewen, and a draw with Cardiff Met.

The home side will also be keen to impress with a big 'sponsors' day planned at the club.

However, Narberth have assembled a squad with real depth and fire-power, something proven with seven different players grabbing tries in that Beddau win.

There is no Jack Price or Ianto Griffiths for the visitors tomorrow as Jake Jenkins and Mortiz Neumann both come into the 20 after game time at Crymych and Tenby respectively, and Lewys Gibby starts at scrum half.

Gale's men will be in for a physical test - but if they stand up to it whilst keeping their composure, they should notch a 10th league win.

Narberth: Nick Gale, Liam Hutchings, Kieran Jones, Paul Davies, Jack Parkinson, Jonathan Rogers, Lewys Gibby, Bradley Davies, Dan Smith, Tom Slater, Jake Simm, Ryan Banner, Alex Jenkins, Dewi Williams, Steffan Phillips.

Replacements: Rhys Davies, Rhodri Owens, Tom Powell, Jake Jenkins, Moritz Neumann.

Division One West:
Aberystwyth v Crymych

When these sides met in Crymych in September, Aber showed real resilience to grind out a 15-3 win.

The Preseli Men can ill afford a similar result Saturday, as they are now five points adrift at the bottom, albeit with games in hand.

Randal Williams’ side have an exciting backline via the likes of Ifan Phillips and Nick Bevan, but desperately need parity up front if they are to do damage. In that department, they will be boosted by the return from suspension of Zac France-Miller.

Aber lie seventh, with five wins in nine games, but have not won in the league since November 4.

It is a run of form Crymych must exploit, or alarm bells will start ringing.

Tenby United v Kidwelly

It has not been an easy Christmas for The Seasiders, with a host of players being taken ill after their win in Tycroes on December 9th, as were those of the home side.

It led to their game at Llanelli Wanderers having to be called off, and they will want everyone fully recovered to play a Kidwelly team just one place, and one point, above them in the table.

Youngsters Jack Clancy and Kyle Hamer have impressed for The Seasiders in recent weeks, and with skipper Luke Hansford and returning No 8 Pat Roberts now forming a powerful back row with Andrew Cooke, the home side will look to their pack to carry hard on what is likely to be a heavy Heywood Lane pitch.

Kidwelly meanwhile, are likely to have talented Pembrokeshire youngster Jevon Barnes in their backline, who began the season with Tenby. 

Division Two West:
Carmarthen Athletic v Fishguard

Any Fishguard fears of relegation were eased with a hard fought win over St Clears before Christmas, and they will need another dogged display on Saturday against an Athletic side who beat them 28-21 earlier in the campaign.

Full back Ed Bendall was the hero for The Seagulls a fortnight ago with two tries, while Gareth Adamson also stood out at inside centre.

The latter misses tomorrow however, while Luke Freebury moves from flanker up into the second row. But the Seagulls back row of Jordan James, Chris Shousha, and Simon James can match any other in the division, and if that trio is on song, they should be able to trouble the home side in the tight exchanges.

Expect another close, hard fought battle.

Fishguard: Ed Bendall, Robbie Jones, Mike Jenkins, Thomas George, Mathew George, Alun George, Andrew Williams, Jason Davies
Gavin Walsh (capt), Neil Perkins, Jac Evans, Luke Freebury, Jordan James, Chris Shousha, Simon James.

Replacements: Liam Wilkes, Mark Butler, Richie Hunter, Lewis Davies, Dan Evans.

St Clears v Whitland

There will be a big crowd at St Clears, and the home side will be going all out to disrupt Whitland’s promotion hopes.

The first meeting between the pair was closer than the Borderers’ 31-10 win suggested, and to add extra spice to the clash, former Whitland players Will Davies, Courtney Bowman, Andrew Howells, Alun Davies, and Dafydd Walters are all likely to feature for the home side.

But Whitland were ruthless in smashing Pontyberem 59-0 before Christmas, with hooker and skipper Marc Jones continuing his fine form with two tries.

They will have to withstand a fired up effort from the Carmarthenshire Saints, but will start favourites as they look to keep the pressure on the top two of Hendy and Pontarddulais - who play each other Saturday.

Whitland: Scott Newton, Aaron Ebsworth, Liam Price, Josh Thomas, Sean Coles, Nico Setaro, Adam Davies, Aaron Mayne, Marc Jones (capt), Michael Ryan, Raff Williams, Micaiah Jones, Ryan Morgan, James Lewis, Jack Mason.

Replacements: Gethin Lewis, Tomos EVans, Ben Kirk, Tom Parry, Jonathan Thomas.

Division Three West A:
Cardigan v Tregaron

After a month of inactivity, both these sides returned to action with a victory before Christmas, with Cardigan winning 13-5 at Pembroke Dock and Tregaron beating Llangwm 24-3.

It was a vital win for the Teifisiders, and actually their first in four league games.

And coach Colin Davies has named a near full strength team tomorrow in the hope of seeing off a Tregaron team that has endured a tough campaign.

They have three wins in nine games, but all have come against the bottom two - Llangwm (twice) and St Davids.

The Mid-Wales side at least won’t have as far to go as they usually do for an away game, but Cardigan will start favourites.

Cardigan: John Lumb, Casey Walters, Emyr Harries (capt), William James Delve, Sion Hughes, Tom Dunn, Tomos Jones, Gethin Jones, Luke Palmer-Davies, Ben Hughes, Dean Harries, Sion Phillips, Tom Taylor, Marcus Castle, Daniel Evans.

Replacements: William Brice, Dafydd Rotie, Richard Davies, Gareth Clifford , Matthew Monaghan.

Llangwm v St Davids

It goes without saying this will be a game that both sides will be desperate to win.

The Saints won the first clash between the two 17-12 in September, their only success of the campaign, and it is likely to be just as tight tomorrow as The Wasps seek their first league win.

And both go in on the back of positive league displays where they competed for 80 minutes - Llangwm in Tregaron and St Davids at home to Aberaeron.

Llangwm also put up a hell of a fight against Haverfordwest in their annual Bishop Cup match on Boxing Day, leading 7-0 half time before going down 20-7.

The home side will look to in-form second row/centre Josh Hicks to lead their ball carrying alongside the experience of Ian Griffiths, while The Saints have been boosted recently by the return of flanker Scott Riches.

Regardless, it could well be tight, scrappy, and intense on a heavy surface - and a long second half of the season for whoever loses. 

Milford Haven v Neyland

To say it will be physical at The Obs is an understatement.

The Mariners have seen their title chances rocked last two games with defeats to Haverfordwest and Laugharne, and now have to beat a Neyland side desperate to end years of pain against their rivals.

Alan McClelland’s team would have noted how Pembroke’s pack power was too much for Neyland before Christmas, and will look to the likes of Mark Wonnacott, Dai Sweeny, and former All Black David Round to get them on the front foot.

But Steve Martin’s side will arrive in good shape despite the result against The Scarlets, and were the better side in their home draw with Haverfordwest last month.

Led by skipper Mark James, they won’t take a backward step and if they get the platform, Martin himself and the likes of centres Alex Codd and George Williams will do damage.

But Milford themselves have a strong backline - and both teams possess the ability to score tries from deep.

If both sides perform we could be in for a cracking derby - with a few yellow cards for good measure!

Pembroke v Pembroke Dock Quins

Another fierce derby will take place at Crickmarren.

Like last season, The Quins would love to disrupt Pembroke’s title charge, and through their backs in particular, will threaten with skipper Thomas Doyle, Josh Norman, Aaron James and Jake Griffiths, amongst others, capable of cutting lines.

But they will need to handle The Scarlets up front - with Sam Smith, Dom Colman, and Billy Wood currently making up a formidable back row.
And they have had control at 10 through Toby Smith, with centre Dan Colley in real try scoring form outside him.

Pembroke start favourites - but will be very wary of highly charged Quins team.