Pembrokeshire rugby previews for Saturday, December 1st:

Championship:

Narberth v Beddau​

The Otters didn't play last week after Tata Steel postponed, and have had to wait for the chance to bounce back from that Ystrad Rhondda defeat.

Sean Gale's side remain fourth but with the top two (Pontypool and Ystrad) playing each other tomorrow, can make up ground on at least one side above them here. And they will be tipped to do so against a Beddau team lying second bottom with just two wins in 11 starts.

Jack Price has been in great form in the centre this season but moves to the wing tomorrow, with Jake Jenkins and Kieron Jones forming the midfield partnership. There is no Dan Smith as Rhodri Owen starts at hooker, while Neath second row Ryan Bean comes in on the permit to cover on the bench.

Narberth: Ianto Griffiths, Nick Gale, Kieron Jones, Jake Jenkins, Jack Price, Jonathan Rogers, Rhys Lane, Bradley Davies, Rhodri Owen, Tom Slater, Jame Simm, Alex Jenkins (capt), Rich Rees, Tom Powell, Steffan Phillips. Replacements: Kyle Hamer, Tom Kajaks, Ryan Bean, Andrew Cooke, Lewis Gibby.

Division One West:

Crymych v Gorseinon

It has been three weeks since Crymych last played and beat Dunvant 20-18, and here lies another chance for them to move towards mid table.

Gorseinon haven't actually played in the league since losing to Felinfoel on October 20th and lie just a point above the Preseli Men.

It was two tries from Sion Colella and 10 points from the boot of Ifan Phillips which secured that Dunvant win and took Randal Williams' side 10 points clear of the bottom two. And just like that day, the rain this week may make for a heavy surface at Parc Lloyd Thomas.

Randal Williams will be demanding the same commitment and desire for his side again this time around.

Tenby United v Dunvant

Tenby were clearly frustrated when their crunch game at Kidwelly was called off late last week, denying them a chance of a vital first league victory.

But they need to cast that aside and focus on another potentially winnable game here.

They still only lie seven points off third bottom Aberystwyth and a good result here would see them back in the mix with the sides above them.

Dunvant themselves have been up and down with three league wins and three defeats, including that loss at Crymych, and Gareth Thomas will have his squad primed.

There is no Lloyd Thomas but otherwise, they appear close to full strength. Aaron James moves to 10 and with Jack Parkinson at 13 and Yannick Parker at full back, it's an exciting back line.

Roy Osborn moves up to second row and impressive young forward Jack Broadhurst gets a chance to start from No 8.

Tenby United: Yannick Parker, Geraint Powell, Jack Parkinson, Moritz Neumann, Jordan Asparassa, Aaron James, Ben Pugh, Ethan Morgan, Tom Barrass, Rob Luly, Roy Osborn, Luke Dedman, Mike Davies, Jason Ronowitz, Jack Broadhurst. Replacements: Jack Davies, Nicky Guymer, Charlie Patching, Luke Hansford, Matty Morgan.

Whitland v Kidwelly

The Borderers seemed encouraged by their display in Felinfoel, a game they lost 33-20 after pushing the leaders for much of the contest.

Tries from wingers Liam Price and Llyr Ebsworth showcased their ability to attack out wide, but they have to turn a performance into a positive result against bottom side Kidwelly tomorrow.

From last week, Rhys Schiavone starts at full back in place of James Stephenson and Ryan Morgan replaces Danny Evans at flanker. Veteran second row Raff Williams also returns with Courtney Bowman dropping to the bench.

But most notably in comes 18-year-old Josh Thomas, straight out of youth at Carmarthen Athletic, for a first start at 9.

Whitland: Rhys Schiavone, Liam Price, Gino Setaro, Josh Thomas, Llyr Ebsworth, Nico Setaro, Josh Thomas, Aaron Mayne, Marc Jones, Jimmy Buirds, Raff Williams, Jamie Thomas, Scott Buirds, Ryan Morgan, Jack Mason. Replacements: Gethin Lewis, Michael Ryan, Courtney Bowman, Ben Kirk, Adam Davies. 

Division Two West:

Pembroke v Mumbles

It's already safe to say Pembroke won't be going back to Division Three West A this season. In fact, right now they are looking up not down.

Their game was postponed last week, but they still lie second after a super all round display from Toby Smith led them to a bonus point win over Pontarddulais last time out. And sure enough, they will eye another home win on Saturday against eighth placed Mumbles.

The Scarlets have built a strong squad with depth and thus far, and the transition and extra intensity that comes with promotion has not fazed them.

Mumbles did play on the weekend, losing 32-16 to Pontsarddulais to make it five defeats from nine starts in the league and if Pembroke can match their performance levels of recent weeks, they can cement second place here.

St Clears v Pontarddulais

This looks 'must win' for St Clears.

They lie bottom and 12 points off safety, and at this rate they'll be under real pressure to string results together post-Christmas.

The Carmarthenshire Saints have shown enough this season to suggest they can win games, but narrow defeats will no longer do and they must take it to The Bont on Saturday.

Through the likes of Dafydd Page up front they have ample experience in the ranks and in Will Davies and skipper Adam Phillips, they are not short on try scorers either.

But what they must produced is an all round team display for 80 minutes. Do that, and by Saturday night things could be looking up.

Anything less, and it will be a real uphill struggle to stay up.

Tycroes v Fishguard

After back to back wins, Fishguard's momentum has been stifled by a loss in Carmarthen Athletic and then having their match with Penclawdd called off last week,

But they do now have breathing space between them and the bottom two and on paper, this game should be pretty evenly matched.

Tycroes have just two points more than The Seagulls after winning at Loughor in their last game, and if the visitors can avoid starting slowly, something which has plagued their season, they will be confident of competing.

As always, skipper Chris Shousha will be pivotal to them in the back row, but how strong Fishguard travel may well dictate the outcome.

Division Three West A:

Aberaeron v Tregaron

Aberaeron have not played since October 27th so depsite the games in hand, have lost ground on the teams above them. So they will want nothing less than five points here.

Tregaron were dogged against Laugharne last week although didn't seriously threaten a win as they went down 27-6, and they will need to show real fight tomorrow and try and stop the home side playing.

Aber No 10 Rhodri Jenkins has a great kicking game, but I suspect he will be looking to bring his outside backs into play early if conditions allow.

Haverfordwest v Cardigan

When I watched Haverfordwest get well beaten by Aberaeron on October 20th, I ruled them out of the promotion picture.

I may have been a little hasty.

Since then they have recorded three straight wins and their last two, against Neyland and Llanbydder, indicates they are finding their best form.

They showed real character in the latter game to come back in the second half, and although coach Steve Barnett still didn't feel his side were at their best, a try for new winger Anthony Max would have been pleased him. That signing brings more depth to an already strong backline.

Cardigan meanwhile left themselves way too much to do as they trailed 25-0 against Milford before mounting something of a comeback. And again it was player coach Colin Davies leading it from No 8.

The Teifisiders also lost centre Marcus Castle to a serious ankle injury and that is a blow to their season, and Davies will know his side have to go up a notch on Saturday.

Haverfordwest: Rhys Baker, Ben Alba, Criag Barnett, Dan Richards, Josh Atherton, Mike Jones, Lee Summons, Ashley George, Jamie Zambas, Terry Lovell, Gareth Phillips, Karl Busch, Jack Clancy, Morgan Layton, Matty Phillips. Replacements: Matthew Clayton, Rhodri Harries, Gareth John, Jamie Barnett, Anthony Max.

Laugharne v Neyland

If the Laugharne surface stands up to the weather, this could be a cracker.

Both sides like to go wide and both returned to form on Saturday, with Laugharne getting that bonus point win in Tregaron. As for Neyland, I had a much closer look at their huge win at St Davids than I would have liked to.

Both teams have the runners to cut loose if given the platform, and respective No 10s Owain Thomas and George Evans like to play expansively. The battle up front to win quick ball therefore, is going to be pivotal.

Neyland's two defeats this season, against Milford Haven and Haverfordwest, have come in games where they have lost the set piece battle - and after the St Davids win Graham Richards admitted his side have a point to prove in that department this weekend

The All Blacks remain top and are 10 points clear of fourth placed Laugharne, but have played three more games. The result of this is crucial to both sides.

Pembroke Dock Quins v Llangwm

This is a game both sides will be targeting.

The Quins are yet to win, and haven't played since a 46-7 home defeat to Cardigan on October 20th. Llangwm have won just once, and while their last league match was also against The Teifisiders (October 27th), they also played out a competitive recent friendly with Tenby 2nds.

It's been a difficult season so far for the Quins but I'd expect Neil Machin to have them fired up for this, and given they go to Tregaron the week after, this next fortnight could potentially turn around their season.

But The Wasps will be equally determined. They have competed in most games well and the likes of Josh Hicks and Luke Hayman have been performing consistently well. And like Machin, coaches Bruce Evans and Robbie Neill will want nothing less than a win.

Because of that, we could have a real dogfight at Bierspool.

St Davids v Llanybydder

It was a dark day for St Davids last week and depleted it or not, you cannot concede more than 100 points without some big question marks hanging over your defence.

And player coach Ianto Davies will know his team must go up several levels here or another long day awaits.

Llanybydder have four wins from six starts and themselves have a point to prove after that loss to Haverfordwest, a game they seemingly took control of after tries from scrum half Llyr James and flanker Tom Evans.

Their location means every away game in this league represents a long trip, and The Saints won't mind if heavy rain tomorrow makes it even less appealing a journey.