Pembrokeshire rugby previews for Saturday, November 10th:

Championship:
Ystrad Rhondda v Narberth

The Cardiff Met game was the first of two crucial tests for Narberth, and they did the first bit right.

A strong performance from their back row, in which No 8 Richie Rees gave a man of the match display, was the catalyst for a 16-11 win and in turn, a first defeat of the season for the students.

It was even more important for Sean Gale’s side after their capitulation at league leaders Pontypool, but while they remain unbeaten at home, Saturday is another acid test on the road.

Ystrad Rhondda are one place above The Otters in third, and their only two losses so far have come against, you guessed it, Pontypool and Cardiff Met.

Narbeth have been happy to rotate their line up all season and Keiron Jones comes into the centre with Tenby's Moritz Neumann on permit on the wing. Rhys Lane is back at No 9.

In the pack, flanker Rich Rees will lead the side in the absence of Alex Jenkins.

Finishing above Pontypool is a huge ask for any side, but a win here will really underline Narberth’s desire for at least another top two finish.

Narberth: Ianto Griffiths, Nick Gale, Jack Price, Kieron Jones, Moritz Neumann, Jonathan Rogers, Rhys Lane, Bradley Davies, Dan Smith, Tom Kajaks, Jake Simm, Tom Kaijaks, Rich Rees (capt), Tom Powell, Steffan Phillips. Replacements: Dan Jacobs, Kyle Hamer, Jake Jenkins, Yanik Parker, Rhodri Owen.

Division One West:
Crymych v Dunvant

Despite defeat, there were positives for a much changed Crymych in their Plate match at Blaenavon last time out.

They played with adventure and first half tries for scrum half Dafydd Phillips and namesake Tomos on the wing showcased their threat when they have the platform to go wide.

Like last season, I suspect they will be stronger in the latter part of the season when mud baths give way to firmer pitches - but regardless they need a league win here having not had one since the opening day.

Dunvant’s last two league games have yielded wins over leaders Felinfoel and Kidwelly, so they will arrive at Parc Lloyd Thomas in good form.

There is rain scheduled for later this week, and that may work against The Preseli Men.

Felinfoel v Tenby United

Tenby still await a first league win but on the plus side, they are still only six points from safety and one win will have them right back in the mix with the sides above them.

But they will have to pull out something special to get it here against a Felinfoel team who top the table with six victories from seven.

The Llanelli team put away Gorseinon 33-18 in their last league match and The Seasiders cannot afford another slow start.

Their set piece suffered against Rumney in the Plate as they were beaten 31-7, but there was another try for promising young forward Jack Broadhurst and if nothing else, The Seasiders are blooding youngsters which bodes well for the future.

But in terms of staying up, a defeat here will make that scheduled game with Kidwelly on November 24th even more pivotal.

Whitland v Aberystwyth

Whitland started with three straight league wins and have followed it with three straight defeats.

And now there is pressure on this one. Another loss could see them drop below visitors Aber and if so, The Borderers will start looking over their shoulders.

Nico Setaro is already past 60 points in Division One this season and his control could be pivotal on Saturday. Sean Coles also returned to try scoring form in Llangennech and if The Borderers can get him in space, his speed will do the rest.

But Aber hit their best attacking form to beat Tenby 49-25 in their last match, and full back Matthew Hughes, who had two tries in that match, is a real threat. The home side can’t afford to kick loosely at him.

After this, Whitland are at leaders Felinfoel, so stopping the rot is crucial on Saturday.

Whitland: Dan Evans, Josh Watson, Rhys Schiavone, Josh Thomas, Liam Price, Nico Setaro, Adam Davies, Aaron Mayne, Marc Jones, Tomos Evans, Dai Ebsworth, Ben Kirk, James Thomas, Danny Evans, Jack Mason. Replacements: Gethin Lewis, Michael Ryan, Jimmy Buirds, Scott Buirds, Jonathan Thomas.

Division Two West:
Carmarthen Athletic v Fishguard

After a difficult start, Fishguard have breathing space following those crucial bonus point wins over St Clears and Tumble.

Their young side are now getting into the habit of finishing off games, and winger Thomas George, who scored two tires in the latter win, is one of many fulfilling potential. The form up front of more experienced campaigners Gavin Walsh, Luke Freebury and Simon James, all impressive in Tumble, has also been key.

Athletic have slipped back after a great start, and their 13-3 loss to Penclawdd last week was a third straight defeat.

If the Seagulls can put an 80 minute display together, something they’ve struggled with this far, they have every chance here.

Pembroke v Pontarddulais

Any doubts about Pembroke’s ability to compete in a higher league have already been blown away, with big wins over Tumble and Tycroes taking them to third in the table.

Like last season, they are clicking both up front and out wide.

Furthermore, Jamie Kaijaks has boosted their front row options and young centre Fraser James is proving a real force, with tries in his last two games.

Coaches Geraint Lewis and Kyle Davies won’t be getting ahead of themselves, but with Pontarddulais in 10th place, they will be eyeing another win here.

St Clears v Burry Port

Burry Port are a tough side, and twice already this season they’ve come West and returned with hard fought wins against Fishguard and Pembroke respectively.

So St Clears will have their work cut out as they look to climb off the bottom of the table.

They were beaten 40-14 by Pencoed in the Plate in their last game but have shown improvements of late. Centre Will Davies is in try scoring form while Rhodri Evans continues to stand out at scrum half.

The visitors will have former Whitland second row Micaiah Jones in their ranks and the Carmarthenshire Saints must beware the play of experienced No 15 Gareth Rees.

But above all, Tim Poole’s side must find a way to win. Otherwise, safety looks a long way off.

Division Three West A:
Haverfordwest v Neyland

It’s going to be an interesting game in Merlins Bridge.

Haverfordwest responded well to that Aberaeron defeat last month - by taking a depleted side to Tregaron and easing to a bonus point win.

They played with structure and finished well out wide with Rhys Baker scoring twice, while No 10 Mikey Jones kicked well as he continues his comeback from injury. Top try scorer Craig Barnett should also return to the side after missing the trip to Mid Wales.

But this will be a much bigger test against a Neyland side reeling from that derby loss to Milford.

That day they were second best in the set piece but still produced some great rugby, and George Evans slotted in at No 10 with ease, while full back Tom Hughes looks a huge prospect.

The All Blacks still top the table and given they came away with a bonus point against The Mariners, the loss was no disaster.

But back to back defeats will stifle momentum and they will be determined to respond in kind here.

Twice last season, these two produced tight, competitive games and this should be no different.

Laugharne v Aberaeron

Another big one between two sides tipped to challenge for promotion.

Aberaeron built on their win in Haverfordwest with a comfortable 10 try success over St Davids. Coach Aled Davies will know his team will face a much sterner test on the road this weekend, but he will be have been pleased at the way they kept focus and ran in tries. 

And for No 10 Rhodri Jenkins, it was another chance to continue his kicking form as he nailed all 10 conversions.

By contrary, Laugharne have 15 points from 15 but have had a frustrating few weeks.

A combination of postponements, the Bowl competition, and Pembroke Dock failing to raise a team last week means they have played just one league game since September 22 - and already they face playing catch up with fixtures in April and May.

But their side has looked strong and centre Tom Jameson has cut through at will in their last two wins over Llangwm and St Davids. A  win here would cement a solid start.