WRU National League fixtures and previews involving Pembrokeshire sides for Saturday, January 20th:

WRU Championship:

Narberth v Pontypool

The WRU Cup loss to Bedwas would not have overly concerned The Otters, but following it up with a 32-21 loss to second bottom Rhydyfelin last week would have.

Especially given tomorrow represents a huge test - welcoming a Pontypool team who have won 14 league games from 14, and sit 19 points clear of their hosts in second place.

Sean Gale's side have to find a way to respond in front of what promises to be a large crowd at the Lewis Lloyd Memorial Ground.

From last week, Jack Parkinson and Paul Davies come into the back line, while Nick Gale switches to full back as Ianto Griffiths goes back to No 10.

Up front, Bradley Davies replaces Rhys Davies in the front row, Ryan Banner is back in the second row in place of Dewi Williams, and Sean Jenkins is in for Rich Rees in the back row.

The visitors beat The Otters 29-0 at home earlier in the season, and will arrive on the back of a 44-10 win over Bedlinog last Saturday. 

To take their unbeaten run, the home side undoubtedly have to put in their best display of the season.

Narberth: Nick Gale, Liam Hutchings, Kieran Jones, Paul Davies, Jack Parkinson, Ianto Griffiths, Rhys Lane, Bradley Davies, Dan Smith, Tom Slater, Ryan Banner, Alex Jenkins (capt), Tom Powell, Sean Jenkins, Steffan Phillips. Replacements: Liam Tobias, Rhodri Owens, Dewi Williams, Lewys Gibby, Jonathan Rogers.

Division One West:

Aberystwyth v Tenby United

Contrary to rumours, this game will not double up as a Pembrokeshire KO Cup semi final.

But it's a game that Tenby head into on the back of their best form this season - with their 15-9 win over Gowerton last week marking a fifth straight league success.

After a mixed start to the campaign, The Seasiders are now playing with cohesion and confidence, and suddenly lie just five points off the top two.

Their pack is currently formidable whilst winger Yannick Parker returned to try scoring form last week - and centre Craig Barnett's goal kicking has filled the void left by Ashley Sutton's move to Newcastle Emlyn.

But tomorrow will be another tough test for The Seasiders, who will be hoping to have key players Johnny Morgan, Rob Luly, and Luke Hansford passed fit after all three were forced off with injury last week.

Aber lie eighth following their 24-22 loss in Gorseinon last Saturday, but are always formidable at home - and I envisage this being closer than the first league meeting between the two at Heywood Lane which Tenby won 33-7.

On a side note, the Aber Twitter account never fails to entertain - so the build up to this should be good.

Llanelli Wanderers v Crymych

It was a great day for The Preseli Men last Saturday, as they rose to the occasion to beat Plate holders Penallta 12-7 and reach the last eight.

The goal kicking of centre Ifan Phillips was again vital as he landed four penalties - whilst 18-year-old Welsh international prop Kemsley Mathias and flanker Sion Collella were two other youngsters to shine.

But in truth, it was a great collective effort that should have given the side a huge lift ahead of another massive game here.

Crymych are bottom, nine points away from today's opponents, Llanelli Wanderers, with Tycroes sandwiched in-between.

This is simply 'must win' for Randall Williams' team, and they will need all the grit and resilience they showed last week if they are to take a big step towards climbing out of the bottom two.

Division Two West:

Fishguard v Yr Hendy

The Seagulls performed well away to leaders Yr Hendy earlier in the season before losing 33-18, and it will take another big effort if they are to upset their visitors tomorrow.

The loss at Loughor last week keeps Huw Evans and Gareth Thomas' side looking over their shoulders at the teams below them, although there is no need to panic as they lie 10 points clear of the bottom two.

The home side are without promising flanker Jordan James, but aside from that, are not far off a full strength squad.

The pitch at The Moors is again likely to be heavy, and that may suit The Seagulls with ball carriers aplenty in their pack.

Fishguard squad: Ryan McVeigh, Jason Davies, Gavin Walsh, Liam Wilkes, Michael Ryan, Jac Evans, Luke Freebury, Richard Hunter, Gwilim Evans, Simon James, Mark George, Chris Shousha, Alun George, Andrew Williams, Gareth Adamson, Ben John, Mike Jenkins, Edward Bendall, Thomas George, David Evans.

St Clears v Llanybydder

It was a fantastic fightback from St Clears to win in Carmarthen Athletic last Saturday - and it came at a perfect time following five successive league defeats.

But it was a victory they must build on tomorrow on a pivotal day in the relegation battle - with the bottom four sides in the league playing each other.

The Carmarthenshire Saints host rock bottom Llanybydder, a side who beat them 12-8 in September - and will also have an eye on the result between Tumble and Amman United. 

Mike Jones' men exerted total scrum dominance over Athletic as they fought back from 23-0 down to win 26-23, and with pitches still likely to be heavy this weekend, the home front row of Andrew Howells, Dafydd Page, and Gareth Jones must look to impose themselves again.

No 8 Matthew Owens also stood out last week, while newcomer Jake Philpin will be expected to keep his place at outside half.

Llanybydder have not won away all season, and St Clears must make sure that run continues on a big day for both teams.

Whitland v Loughor - match postponed as Loughor cannot raise a team.

Division Three West A:

Haverfordwest v Pembroke Dock Quins

The Blues were missing several key players for their trip to Cardigan last week, and paid the price with a 20-8 loss that realistically ended their promotion hopes.

But led by captain and centre Matty Phillips, coach Bruce Evans has a young squad at his disposal, and the rest of this campaign must now serve as key preparation for a title challenge next season.

And tomorrow they face a Quins team in a similar position - with young half backs Ollie Lewis and Aaron Cookson impressing in their narrow 17-10 win over St Davids last Saturday.

Ossie Boswell has admitted his squad are currently on a learning curve, but if they can stick together, then a promising future awaits.

These two sides drew 14-14 at Bierspool earlier in the season, but with better weather promised this time around, I'd expect some open rugby with both backlines boasting pace out wide.

Laugharne v Cardigan

Laugharne's momentum continued with a 27-0 win in Llangwm on Saturday, and slowly but surely they are moving into the title picture.

Indeed, a win here would move them within striking distance of leaders Pembroke, who they still have to play twice.

Back row player Mikey Williams continues to be pivotal with his ball carrying and try scoring, and he will again be key tomorrow on a Wooford Park surface still likely to be heavy.

But The Teifisiders go in on the back of four straight league wins, and centre Emyr Harries is currently leading by example as captain with his strong running and goal kicking.

Colin Davies' men lie fourth, although have played two more games than tomorrow's hosts - but also know a win here is vital to keep them in touch at the top.

I expect a very physical, committed battle, with both sides knowing the importance of the outcome.

Milford Haven v Aberaeron

Another tight battle should come at The Obs - as second placed Milford meet third placed Aberaeron.

The Mariners are joint top on points with Pembroke, but have played two games more.

But if they can rack up some bonus point wins, they will put pressure on The Scarlets, who now face a fixture backlog at the end of the season as they continue to progress in the National Bowl and Pembrokeshire KO Cup.

However, Alan McClelland's men must find a way to hit the ground running having not played since December 30th, and it will not be easy against an Aberaeron team who overcame Neyland 30-15 last Saturday.

Both teams can mix it up front and are dangerous out wide, with strong running centre Dan Jenkins impressing for Milford thus far this season - and the Mid Wales team possessing a real finisher out wide in winger/full back Ollie Sawyer.

No 10 Rhodri Jenkins is also an accomplished goal kicker - so The Mariners must keep their discipline, and get on the front foot in the tight exchanges, to replicate the 19-0 win they had over the visitors back in October.

Neyland v Llangwm

Unfortunately for Neyland, last Saturday followed a similar theme - scoring three tries whilst going toe to toe with Aberaeron for much of the contest, before missing out on a win.

Again there were positives in the displays of youngsters, with try scorer Tom Hughes again impressing at full back and winger Chris Morgan also crossing.

Steve Martin's men beat Llangwm 59-5 earlier in the season, and if they can get clean ball tomorrow, their backline will cause The Wasps real problems.

And for Llangwm, last Saturday was also familiar as they gave everything against Laugharne but came away with nothing.

But a number of former players, including team manager Richard Scriven, were forced into digging the boots out due to player unavailability - and The Wasps cannot afford a similar situation here.

If Martin and co are allowed to build a head of steam, like they were at Pill Parks in October, they have the ability to cut loose - and the visitors must dig in and keep things tight for as long as possible to have any chance.

St Davids v Tregaron

The last time these sides met, it was Tregaron who prevailed 33-24 in Mid-Wales.

But there was enough there to encourage The Saints, and they will look again to build on recent improvements that saw them push Pembroke Dock all the way at Bierspool last time out.

And the experience of the likes of Gethin Bateman and Anthony Davies may be important for them up front, with the home side knowing they cannot allow the visitors quick ball with elusive runners like full back Ieuan Wyn lurking out wide.

Also, Tregaron's last game came on December 30th - and The Saints have played twice since then. It remains to be seen whether game continuity, or extra rest, proves the more beneficial.