PRINCIPALITY PREMIERSHIP PREVIEW

The Wizards have looked impressive this season and have lost only two games from 12 whilst Bedwas have lost six from 13. And Aberavon had a week’s respite last weekend due to rearranged cup fixtures whilst Bedwas’ cup dream came to end at Cross Keys.

Third placed Bridgend welcome local rivals Cardiff to the Brewery Field on Saturday with the near-neighbours experiencing contrasting fortunes this season. The Arms Park outfit currently sit third from bottom in Wales’ top flight while the Ravens are flying high in third.

At the Memorial Ground Glamorgan Wanderers clash with top-of-the-table Neath after a 62-0 demolition of Division One’s Ystrad Rhondda in last weekend’s Konica Minolta Cup game. But the reigning Champions will present a different challenge to the Wanderers in their first season back in the top division.

Bottom-placed Llandovery front up to Pontypool at Church Bank having recorded only their second win of the season in their last outing. A 37-0 win over Ebbw Vale was not enough to lift the Drovers from the foot of the Premiership but will give Gareth Davies’ men a much-needed confidence boost.

Welsh Cup holders Llanelli play host to Cross Keys at Stradey Park with a point to prove after they were dumped out of the cup a fortnight ago. The Keys are still alive and kicking in the competition however thanks to a 20-19 victory over Bedwas last Saturday. But as league duties resume there will not be much
to separate the two sides who are just three points apart in the table.

At Sardis Road Simon King’s Pontypridd welcome Maesteg who, along with Glamorgan Wanderers, have now established themselves on their return to top flight rugby. But King has reigning Champions Neath firmly in his sights and will demand a win from his players on Saturday to take advantage of their game in hand over third placed Bridgend. Pontypridd currently sit in fourth place, just three points behind the Ravens with a game in hand.

On the coast Swansea go head-to-head with Ebbw Vale with the two sides level on points at the lower end of the table. And in the day’s other game sixth placed Newport travel to Carmarthen Park to play second-from-bottom Carmarthen Quins