Lloyds Leagues Preview

In Division 1, leaders Aberavon and second-placed Pontypool both have home matches and Pontypool have the easier run in. They are six points and ten tries adrift, but have two matches in hand

and it could all rest on a match still to be rearranged between the pair at the Talbot Athletic Ground.

This Saturday, Aberavon host Blackwood and Pontypool meet lowly Beddau, but the big match is at Church Bank, where Llandovery entertain Carmarthen Quins and both clubs are on 54 points, though the Quins are one place higher than the Drovers in third spot.

Also in the division there could be trouble for an out-of-form Newbridge at Tondu, with two splendid fly halves Mark Jones and Jason Williams likely to be in action with two equally good scrum workers in the experienced Brendan Roach and the splendid young Matthew Taylor.

Cross Keys hope to get back to winning ways at home to a very useful Llanharan outfit and Bedwascould prove too strong for Bonymaen, who have prop Andy May, centre Gwyn Rowlands and flanker Andy Llewellyn all out with bad injuries.

Narberth hammered Glamorgan Wanderers last Saturday and now play a more difficult return, while at the bottom, Treorchy face a tough game at Tredegar and Rumney go in search of much-needed points at Whitland.

In Division 2, Abertillery’s 21-10 midweek win over Rhymney has given them a lifeline from the penultimate place and brought problems on Abercynon, who have the seemingly easier match at home to Corus, as Abertillery travel to Llantwit Fardre.

Top club Llangennech are at Cyncoed to meet the students of UWIC, who won Wednesday’s British Universities semi-final by 29-28 over great rivals Loughborough at Oxford. UWIC meet Northumbria in the final at Twikenham.

Penygraig ran in eleven tries in a rearranged match against Tonyrefail and now lead 3 East by three points from Croesyceiliog and Ystrad Rhondda and that pair clash on Croesy’s pitch while the ‘Graig’ are at home to Pecoed, who won at Ynysybwl on Monday evening.

Felinfoel will hold on at the top of 3 West whatever they do at Aberystwyth with Cwmllynfell and Cardigan falling behind, while in 4 West, Bryncoch and Pontyberem are level on 51 points with seven matches each remaining.

Brecon are waiting for 4 East leaders Treherbert to slip up at third-placed Rhydyfelin and with a game in hand, a home win over Llanishen might be enough to see them back on top. In 5 East, top clubs Newport Saracens and New Tredegar look set for away wins, but Brynithel will find Barry to be difficult opponents.