Big game at Milford and Saints and Quins chase a rare win

WRU Championship:

Narberth v Pontypool

Will anyone catch Pontypool this season? In reality, no.

But given they won the title with 22 wins from 22 games last season, and have 13 from 13 in this one, taking their scalp would still be huge for The Otters.

Pooler were at their clinical best to win 52-0 in Newbridge in their last league game but despite the size of the task, Sean Gale's men have ample motivation.

This fixture was called off late in the day last season, prompting a ridiculous public statement from Pontypool Chief Executive Ben Jeffreys. When the game was finally played, Narberth had their chances before losing 27-20.

Perhaps more significantly The Otters let themselves down in the away game in October, failing to really compete as they went down 55-8. Gale will want his side to rectify that at the Lewis Lloyd Ground.

The backs are unchanged from Narberth's 19-11 win in Bedlinog, but the front five changes with Dan Jacobs coming in at prop - and Tom Kaijaks moves back to the second row.

Narberth: Ianto Griffiths, Nick Gale, Kieran Jones, Jack Price, Will Lewis, Jonathan Rogers, Rhys Lane, Dan Jacobs, Rhodri Owens, Tom Slater, Tom Kaijaks, Alex Jenkins (capt), Rich Rees, Tom Powell, Steffan Phiilips. Replacements: Dan Jacobs, Harry Phillips, Steffan Phillips, Matthew Morgan, Gethin Gibby.

Division One West:

Crymych v Yr Hendy

Crymych's good run of form was ended in Kidwelly last week, but The Preseli Men still lie sixth and progressing further up the table is a realistic target.

Again Hari Williams showed his maturity with the boot by kicking eight points but this will be tough again.

Yr Hendy won the reverse fixture 43-27 in September and thanks to the boot of Rhydian Morris, beat Whitland at the death last weekend.

The Crymych forwards came to the fore in recent wins over The Borderers and Aberystwyth - and they will need to do so again in what could be another tight battle.

Tenby United v Llanelli Wanderers

Despite the 32-0 defeat in Gowerton, there were positives for Tenby.

Their pack performed in the set piece and second row Tom Barrass showed his potential with a stand out display. Worrying about the table or survival is perhaps futile now, the Seasiders must just get back to enjoying rugby and seeing where that takes them.

But there is a potential win here against a Wanderers team just two places above them having lost five games on the bounce. In the absence of Luke Dedman, Tenby were well led by Roy Osborn last week and he continues as skipper. Harry Phillips, Yannic Parker, Ashley Murdoch and Jack Tucker all come into the XV.

Scarlets Academy player Dom Booth, a former Wales 16s and 18s international, also comes in on permit from Carmarthen Quins.

Tenby United: Jack Tucker, Connor Ennis, Yannic Parker, Moritz Neumann, Ashley Murdoch, Ashley Murdoch, Will Crockford, Ethan Morgan, Dan Allen, Rob Luly, Charlie Patching, Tom Barrass, Jack Broadhurst, Harry Phillips, Roy Osborn (capt). Replacements: Huw Evans, Dom Booth, Luke Dedman, Robbie Tuttle, Mark Hamilton.

Whitland v Gowerton

The nature of the defeat would have been a sickener for Whitland last week, especially as it came just a week after another narrow loss to Crymych.

The Borderers are competing well but things have not gone their way post-Christmas - and they must stay positive ahead of a tough clash with second placed Gowerton.

There are changes with Sean Coles back on the wing after a break back home in Zimbabwe and 18-year-old Josh Thomas starts at No 9. Jack Mason also returns at No 8.

Whitland: James Stephenson, D Evans, Liam Price, Josh Thomas, Sean Coles, Nico Setaro, Josh Thomas, Aaron Mayne, Marc Jones, Jimmy Buirds, Raff Williams, Dai Ebsworth, James Thomas, Danny Evans, Jack Mason. Replacements: Adam Davies, Courtney Bowman, Scott Buirds, Ryan Morgan, Gethin Lewis.

Division Two West:

Pembroke v Penclawdd

To go away in this league and concede 30 points, and yet still win by 30 points, is some effort.

That Burry Port result last week in which there was a hat trick for winger Barry Alderman-John, kept Pembroke in third place and they are now at the stage where every game is crucial.

None more so than this one against leaders Penclawdd, who cemented top spot with a 26-16 win ocer Carmarthen Athletic.

The Scarlets have such depth in their squad at the moment, improved by Geraint Powell and Jack Parkinson signing from Tenby, and I dare say are a better outfit now than the one that lost 51-31 away to the leaders in October.

Coaches Geraint Lewis and Kyle Davies will know the importance of this. Turn Penclawdd over and not only will it send out statement, but it would be a big step towards Division One rugby.

Pontarddulais v Fishguard

Fishguard got the job done against Tumble last week and while it wasn't an 80 minute display as such, Nathan Jenkins was understandably pleased they closed the game out.

Failing to do the latter has cost them dearly this season.

Pontardullais lie just one place and three points above them after losing to Loughor last week and The Seagulls must target an away win - especially with the ambiguity as to whether two or three teams will go down.

Their young players are stepping up with hooker Liam Wilkes and flanker Lewis Davies standing out against Tumble, and player coach Simon James showed his experience with two tries from No 8.

Fishguard beat their hosts 13-12 at The Moors earlier in the campaign. They'd settle for the same again here.

St Clears v Pontyberem

Credit to St Clears, they aren't settling for relegation.

Another battling display in Tycroes yielded a losing bonus point last week, and there was a major plus points in centre Jac Howells who had two tries on his senior debut.

The late red card and inevitable ban to Will Davies though, one of their main threats in attack, was a big blow.

Pontyberem lie second and battered Mumbles 66-9 last week, but the Carmarthenshire Saints only lost 29-23 away to them in October and are a different side now.

Survival is not beyond them, but they must win home games from now on in. Starting here.

Division Three West A:

Cardigan v Llanybydder

Cardigan's improved form was halted last week as after leading 17-7 against 14 man Neyland they contrived to lose 34-24.

Flanker Tom Taylor did impress with two tries but the absence of player coach Colin Davies and skipper John Lumb clearly had an impacy, and Davies will want his side to respond here.

Llanybydder cruised to an 85-0 win over Pembroke Dock with Richard Davies, Bleddyn Jones, and Dion Howells all scoring try braces, and Llyr Tobias showed his kicking accuracy by landing 10 conversions. The latter factor could be important if the game is tight tomorrow.

It will be an interesting battle at the King George Vth ground.

Haverfordwest v Laugharne

Another intriguing game comes at Merlins Bridge.

Since losing to Milford the Blues have done what they've needed to - running in tries to secure bonus point wins over Pembroke Dock and St Davids.

But it will be much tougher tomorrow against a Laugharne team who like Haverfordwest in December, pushed The Mariners to the final whistle last Saturday.

If the weather holds out then we could have a good spectacle with both teams slick out wide, and if Craig Barnett continues at No 10 (with Mikey Jones injured) then he and Owain Thomas will look to get their respective backlines going.

We could have tries aplenty here.

Llangwm v Tregaron

Llangwm were blown away by Laugharne two weeks ago but I expect them to line up stronger here and target a fourth league win.

They were missing Josh Hicks against The Cocklemen but he's back tomorrow, and they will also be hoping for Robbie Neil to return in midfield.

They will be wary though of an improved Tregaron. They only have one win to their name but their results have picked up after a poor start, and in Huw Bonner they have No 10 who dictates play well when he has a platform.

He is also an accurate goal kicker and the duel between him and Luke Hayman in that department could prove crucial if as expected, the contest turns into a tight one.

Milford Haven v Aberaeron

It's is a big one at The Obs.

Aberaeron recorded a great win over Usk last week but Milford took full advantage of them being in Bowl action. That bonus point win in Laugharne was further proof of the hard edged mentality Nathan Williams and Steve Martin have instilled there and while they have played two games more, the leaders are 15 points clear of their visitors.

If that gap is extended by 4.40pm on Saturday, it suddenly looks a long way back for Aberaeron.

Milford's signing of Zac France-Miller yielded instant impact with two tries on Saturday, and his arrival is timely with Mike Cockburn both injured. He will undoubtedly start again this Saturday.

But Aberaeron will be ready. they come into this on a high and showed in Haverfordwest earlier this season and a long away trip doesn't faze them.

What's more, they are the one team to beat Milford this season, when seven penalties from No 10 Rhodri Jenkins gave them a 21-17 win in Round 1 of the Bowl. Milford's discipline has not been the best this season, and they can ill afford to give Jenkins many chances here.

The manner in which The Mariners have promoted the game this week shows how big they consider it to be and a large crowd is expected.

It will be an intense affair, but both must play with heads as well as hearts.

Pembroke Dock Quins v St Davids

At the other end of the scale, two teams desperate for a second league win meet at Bierspool.

The Quins were lifted by that win over Neyland but since then have conceded over 80 points to both Haverfordwest and Llanybydder, without scoring any themselves.

The Saints have also struggled, although a 64-10 defeat to the Blues on the weekend was a marked improvement on their three figure score in Milford.

These two met in torrential weather in St Davids in October and the home side came through 10-0 after a scoreless first hour.

It could be equally messy tomorrow, but player availability on both sides may dictate the outcome.