Pembrokeshire rugby previews for Saturday, October 20th (2.30pm):

Championship:

Trebanos v Narberth

Narberth have had to wait a fortnight to respond to the loss at Pontypool, and now must do so with a tricky away trip in Trebanos.

The Swansea Valley side have three wins and three defeats, beating Newbridge 31-17 last time out.

The Otters are much changed, with Jonny Morgan starting in his more familiar role of 15, and for the first time this season, Jake Jenkins and Nick Gale play at 10 and 12 respectively. Winger Laurence Headlam is also in.

Bradley Davies, Tom Slater, and Jake Simm all come into the front five from the side hammered at Pooler, and simply put, Sean Gale and his coaching staff will be demanding a reaction from their squad here.

Narberth: Jonny Morgan, Gethin Gibby, Jack Price, Nick Gale, Jake Jenkins, Rhys Lane, Bradley Davies, Dan Smith, Tom Slater, Jake Simm, Alex Jenkins (capt), Andrew Cooke, Tom Powell, Rich Rees. Replacements: Kyle Hamer, Dan Jacobs, Tom Kajaks, Lewys Gibby, Yannic Parker.

Division One West:

Aberystwyth v Tenby United

Aberystwyth have won just once in the league, which is once more than Tenby. Needless to say, even at this early stage, this looks crucial.

Aber can undoubtedly play, and centre Carwyn Evans is one of a string of classy backline players. But they also have a big pack and it is up front where I expect this will be won or lost.

But like the Seasiders, for whatever reason they are yet to fire this season, and on paper Gareth Thomas and co will see this as a chance to get a vital win.

There is no Patrick Roberts and Yannic Parker is with Narberth, so Max Brindley is paired in the centre with Jack Parkinson. Luke Deadman continues as skipper having been named on the bench for the rained off game with Llangennech.

Tenby United: Jack Tucker, Geraint Powell, Jack Parkinson, Max Brindley, Jordan Asparassa, Lloyd Thomas, Ben Pugh, Huw Evans, Wes Bonser, Jack Davies, Tom Barrass, Luke Dedman (capt), Mike Davis, Jason Ronowitz, Harry Owen. Replacements: Ethan Morgan, Charlie Patchling, Jack Broadhurst, Harry Phillips, Lewis Davies.

Gowerton v Crymych

Gowerton's good form was checked by a defeat to Yr Hendy last Saturday, but this is still a tough trip for Crymych.

The home side lie second, while the Preseli Men need to win with either Aber or Tenby below them poised to close the gap

Randal Williams is currently fielding a young side and like last season, I expect their form will improve post-Christmas once the drier weather arrives.

But Williams will not want to leave anything to chance, and with their next league game not until November 10th, a loss here would leave Crymych uncomfortably placed for the next three weeks.

Llangennech v Whitland

It has been a frustrating few weeks for The Borderers, suffering two league defeats and one in the Plate, before their home game with Llanelli Wanderers was rained off last week.

Llangennech are well placed with three wins from their four games, and Whitland can ill afford the slow start that cost them against Yr Hendy and Gowerton.

There is a first season start for Josh Watson on the wing but with Scott Lloyd involved with Cremarthen Quins, Liam Price and Rhys Schiavone form a new look centre pairing. Another change sees Zac France Miller replace Tomos Evans in the front row from the game two weeks ago.

Coaches Gareth Bennett and Dan Mason have no reason to panic, but they'll want to be back on track ahead of a crucial home game with Aber on October 27th.

Whitland: Geraint Jones, Josh Watson, Rhys Schiavone, Liam Price, Sean Coles, Nico Setaro, Adam Davies, Zac France Miller, Marc Jones, Aaron Mayne, Raff Williams, Courtney Bowman, James Thomas, Jamie Lewis, Jack Mason. Replacements: Gethin Lewis, Michael Ryan, Dai Ebsworth, Ryan Morgan, Lyr Ebsworth, Tom Parry, Sean Coles.

Division Two West:

Fishguard v St Clears

A big game at the bottom of the table.

After that vital one point win over Pontarddulais, the Seagulls again paid for a slow start in the Mumbles last week. But despite the weather, they again proved they can play out wide with tries for Thomas George, Osian Lewis, and Ed Bendall.

They lie tenth, two places, and three points, above bottom club St Clears who like their hosts, will see this as must win.

The form of the Carmarthenshire Saints has picked up recently though. Half backs Rhodri Evans and Rhodri Jones have given them direction and the boot of James Davies helped secure a bonus point in Pontyberem two weeks ago.

I can see this one being fierce, with a lot at stake.

Tycroes v Pembroke

Any fears Pembroke had after four successive league and cup defeats were blown away in the hammering of Tumble last week.

Like last season, when they get on the front foot they are hard to stop, and in Dom Colman and Sam Smith they have the power to do just that. Toby Smith is also pivotal in orchestrating matters and when he has time and space, the Scarlets inevitably fire.

But, all their wins thus far have come in Pembrokeshire, two at Crickmarren and one in Fishguard. As a newly promoted side there is little wrong with that, but Geraint Lewis and Kyle Davies will know that to be amongst the lead sides in Division Two upwards, you have to master the long away trips.

It's easier said than done I know, and this will be tough against a Tycroes side with three home wins from three so far. And if Pembroke have spells of pressure, they must be every bit as clinical as last week.

Division Three West A:

Haverfordwest v Aberaeron

Since losing to Milford Haven, The Blues recorded four comfortable league and cup wins before their game at Laugharne was washed out.

But this will be the first time they get really tested since that day at The Obs.

Aberaeron have not lost in any competition since their opening day defeat to Llanybydder, and their big pack will put the home side under pressure. It's crucial for Steve Barnett's side they get parity.

But we could still see some fireworks behind, with No 10 Craig Barnett leading the recent glut of tries from The Blues (although he returns to full back tomorrow), while the likes of centre Tom Slinger have also impressed for the visitors.

Thus one is hard to call.

Haverfordwest: Craig Barnett, Rhys Baker, Gareth John, Dan Richards, Josh Atherton, Mikey Jones, Lee Summons, Rhodri Harries, Jamie Zambas, Terry Lovell, Karl Busch, Kyle Williams, Jack Clancy, Morgan Layton,  Matthew Clarke (capt). Replacements: Ashley George, Matthew Clayton, Ben Llewellyn, Gaz Owen, Jamie Barnett.

Llangwm v Neyland

Neyland have already one here once in their pre-season Pembrokeshire Cup tie - and both sides have improved since then.

The Wasps hammered Pembroke 2nds in the Palmer Cup two weeks ago and again it was No 8 Josh Hicks who was at the centre of their play with three tries, while Louis Murphy also impressed.

But this is a true test of their recent improvement.

I watched Neyland beat Cefneithin in the Bowl two weeks ago and when given the platform, they are clinical. Centres George Williams and Alex Codd have worked up a real understanding and full back Patrick Bellerby is cutting lines at will.

The break last week came at the right time for them after three players limped off with injury and they will want momentum going into the game with Milford on October 27th.

Llangwm will be fired up, but they'll have to be.

Milford Haven v Tregaron

As for The Mariners, they need a good 80 minutes under their belts here.

Nathan Williams' team have not played since beating St Davids on September 22nd, and will want to get rid of the ring rust.

That period has at least allowed injured players to return to fitness and club captain Jamie Lewis should start, and like the All Blacks, Milford will want to go into derby day on the back of a good win.

Tregaron have also not played for four weeks but it was their best display to date, as Huw Bonner's three penalties saw them push Cardigan close before they lost 12-9.

Traditionally they have been hard to break down when at full strength, but as with any long away day, it remains to be seen how big a squad they travel with.

Pembroke Dock Quins v Cardigan

The game in St Davids last week could have gone either way and the result would have deflated The Quins - but coach Neil Machin is not one to dwell on negatives.

His side are work in progress and given the style he clearly wants them to play, it seems drier days will suit them better.

The Teifisiders have also had a bumpy start and that win in Tregaron their only league success so far, and the recent absence of key full back and skipper John Lumb has affected them.

Both sides will feel they need a result and this could be an intense 80 minutes.

Cardigan: Llyr Jones, Rhydian Jenkins, Dan Purnell, Marcus Castle, William James Delve, Iwan John, Gwern Phillips, Ben Hughes, Daniel Evans, Andrew Fletcher, Dean Harries, Sion Phillips, Tom Taylor, Dafydd Wyn Rotie, Colin Davies. Replacements: William Brice, Andrew Jones, Sion Hughes, Ifan Morgan, Tom Dunn.

St Davids v Laugharne

The Saints ended their long wait for a league win last weekend, and while Tommy Reynolds and veteran second row Gethin Bateman were two to stand out in the pack, player coach Anthony Davies would have been delighted with the commitment all round.

But tomorrow they will have to raise their game eve further against a Laugharne side with 10 points from their only two league games.

Their last match was a Bowl defeat in Trimsaran two weeks ago, but last season The Cocklemen inflicted two big defeats on the Saints. So I'd expect Owain Thomas to try and get his backline attacking every chance he gets here.

The Saints meanwhile, probably wouldn't mind Storm Callum popping back for the afternoon.