Pembrokeshire rugby previews for Saturday, October 27th (2.30pm):

National Plate Round 2:

Blaenavon v Crymych

Crymych enjoyed a good run in the Plate last season, but this is a tough trip.

Blaenavon are 7th in Division One East having beaten Dowlais 28-12 on the weekend, while The Preseli Men slipped to another league defeat despite a stirring fightback in Gowerton.

But they did show their capabilities out wide in that second half as centre Tomos Phillips and winger Tomos Lewis got tries, and have the ability to threaten the home side if they can get parity up front.

St Clears v Pencoed

How much St Clears need the Plate is debatable as they head towards a battle to stay in Division Two this season, but it's a chance to get a win on the board if nothing else.

Pencoed have not been pulling up any trees in Division Two West Central, with two wins in five games, and like their hosts, I suspect priorities for the season lie elsewhere.

The Carmarthenshire Saints welcome Burry Port the week after though and a win ahead of that clash will boost them immensely. Centre Will Davies was in clinical form in their narrow defeat at Fishguard, running in two tries, and the home side will want to get him in space whenever possible.

Tenby United v Rumney

Like St Clears and Crymych, The Seasiders are probably more concerned with staying up this season than they are with the Plate.

But at least they have a shot to nothing against a Rumney team going well in Division One East Central, and with a home game against league leaders Felinfoel to come, the extra game time may prove useful.

Despite being hammered in Aber last week, The Seasiders showed character and ambition to come away with four tries, and Gareth Thomas will want his team to express themselves again here. And a win will only serve to help confidence.

Championship:

Narberth v Cardiff Met

The Otters got back on track with that win in Trebanos last week, but their second acid test of the season comes here.

Cardiff Met are unbeaten and top of the league, with their 26-21 success over Rhydyfelin last Saturday giving them an eighth straight league win.

Narberth have enjoyed bonus point wins in both their home matches thus far, and for tomorrow Jonathan Rogers and Lewys Gibby return as half backs with Nick Gale going back to full back. Jake Jenkins moves to 12.

Props Dan Jacobs and Tom Kajaks also come in for Bradley Davies and Tom Slater as The Otters continue to rotate their squad.

It's going to be a big 80 minutes at the Lewis Lloyd Ground.

Narberth: Nick Gale, Jonny Morgan, Jack Price, Jake Jenkins, Gethin Gibby, Jonathan Rogers, Lewys Gibby, Dan Jacobs, Dan Smith, Tom Kajaks, Jake Simm, Alex Jenkins (capt), Andrew Cooke, Tom Powell, Rich Rees. Replacements: Rhys Lane, Ianto Griffiths, Steffan Phillips, Bradley Davies, Rhodri Owen.

Division Two West:

Tumble v Fishguard

Fishguard pulled seven points clear of the bottom two with that 27-24 win over St Clears last week, and this is a big chance to out further daylight between themselves and the bottom two.

Tumble currently prop up the table and haven't won since beating Pontyberem on September 8th, although The Seagulls themselves must now break their away duck for the season.

Despite that win last week coaches Nathan and Steve Jenkins, and Simon James, would have been infuriated by another slow start that nearly cost them dear.

But their youngsters are coming of age with winger Rhys Evans the latest to stand out last week, and the recent regular availability of No 10 Kial Keane has brought some consistency to selection.

Win, and the visitors can breathe easily for a while. Lose, and they'll be back in the mix at the bottom.

Division Three West A:

Aberaeron v St Davids

St Davids came back down to earth last week with that heavy loss to Laugharne, while Aberaeron went back to Mid-Wales after an important bonus point win at Haverfordwest.

So The Saints will have their work cut out again here, especially if brothers Morgan and Dafydd Llewellyn get the space to run in like they did against The Blues.

Aber have a heavy pack when a game opens up, they can be clinical and Anthony 'Ianto' Davies will know his team have to stop the home side playing. If they dont't, a long day awaits.

Laugharne v Pembroke Dock Quins

As for Laugharne, any ring rust they may have had was blown away with that 69-0 win over St Davids, and they will eye a fourth straight bonus point win here.

The Cocklemen have a back row, and a back line, who can really punish teams when given the space and The Quins must shore up defensively after that heavy loss to Cardigan last week.

I've said all season Neil Machin's team are capable of playing with ball in hand and the return of Jake Griffiths to the back line boosted them last week, but they'll need the parity and possession to do so. 

Otherwise, they face a tough 80 minutes.

Llangwm v Cardigan

Another side needing to shore up is Llangwm, whose recent progress was halted somewhat with that 3-79 reverse against Neyland at Pill Parks.

The Wasps only named 17 for that clash mind so Bruce Evans and co will be desperate to be back at full strength here, and skipper James Davies will know his side can't afford a slow start again.

The Teifisiders found some form with that 46-7 win in Bierspool, and coac hand No 8 Colin Davies was again pivotal while Rhydian Jenkins and full back Llyr Jones also finished well with two tries each.

The Wasps will see this as a chance to get back on track - Cardigan will see it as a chance to maintaim new found momentum.

Neyland v Milford Haven

Derby day at The Athletic Ground, and it's a big one.

Neyland have five bonus point wins from five, Milford four from four, and to say both will be up for this would be a ridiculous understatement.

The All Blacks have waited a long long time for a league win over The Mariners, and for once, expectation will outweigh hope. They have been playing some superb rugby, and the addition of No 10 Dillen McGaffin has added to a young and pacy backline capable of cutting sides to shreds. The big win at Llangwm last Saturday was further proof of that.

But Milford will present a far more physical task than any side they've played this season. In Mark Wonnacott they have an experienced and quality No 8 and he will want to direct matters for them up front. I expect the visitors will try and turn the screw at every scrum and lineout.

The Mariners can also play behind though and Dan Birch and captain Jamie Lewis should have an intriguing battle with home centres Alex Codd and George Williams - who are both in try scoring form.

It will be an intense 80 minutes, but respective head coaches Graham Richards and Nathan Williams will be wary of players leading with hearts and not heads. Cards fly about every time in this fixture, and whoever controls their aggression best will have an edge.

Results this season suggests Neyland are favourites - recent head to head record says Milford instead.

Reality is, neither are. This one is all on the day. 

Milford Haven: Steve Martin, Lee Riley, Jamie Lewis (capt), Dan Birch, Dan Jenkins, Efan Morgan, Dan McClelland, Mike Cockburn, Luke Ryan, Adam Rees, David Round, Chris Hall, Dewi Williams, Ryan Mansell, Mark Wonnacott. Replacements: Aaron Mayne, Ben Groves, Brandon Cooper, Garin Gardner, Craig Thomas.

Tregaron v Haverfordwest

After last week, this looks a tricky trip for Haverfordwest.

The Blues were out of sorts against Aberaeron and lost both skipper Matthew Clarke and captain Lee Summons to injury, while Tregaron dragged Milford into a dogfight and made them work hard for their win.

They have a big pack and the likes of prop Dorian Pugh carry well, and Steve Barnett will know his side will have to dig deep.

The Tregaron surface can be a heavy one and Dan Richards' ability to punch holes could prove important, while Kyle Williams was one to standout last week after switching from second row to No 8.

Gaz Owens also stood out with a try in his late cameo, and I'd expect him to be back starting.