LLOYDS TSB LEAGUES PREVIEW
DIVISION 1.
Leaders Maesteg will have to wait at least until next week before they may celebrate the title, even if they win a tough match at Bonymaen, for whom veteran prop Nigel Evans, formerly with the Old Parish, will be facing them.
Glamorgan Wanderers sit it out as the Bye club, but Beddau, who won 20-15 at Builth Wells on Tuesday, will push on in third, though opponents UWIC are desperate for at least a point. Whitland, in fourth, still have a promotion chance and they have a derby game at Narberth to overcome.
Bridgend Athletic are home to Tonmawr and Fleur de Lys entertain Blackwood in desperate relegation games, as do Carmarthen Athletic in their trip to Llangennech. Athletic’s veteran stars Graham Evans and Julian Howells have announced their retirement. Evans has scored over 100 league tries and Howells over 2,000 points.
Builth Wells will be in action against bottom club Brynmawr and the latter will be the first club in the division to finish the season.
DIVISION 2.
Abercynon’s 23-18 midwek win at Ystrad Rhondda has thrown them into runners-up spot in the East and their fine late run may continue at struggling Hirwaun, while leaders Ystrad will take on improving Tredegar.
Merthyr will press hard for promotion at Croesyceiliog and both Llantwit Fardre and Newport Saracens have home matches, while Treorchy and Risca play a bottom-of-the-table game at the Oval.
In the West, Cwmllynfell are now level with Waunarlwydd on points after defeating Banwen on Wednesday and their May 14 clash could be decisive. Both are expected to gain home wins this weekend with Cwmllynfell taking on Pontyberem and Waunarlwydd entertaining fast-falling Felinfoel.
Biggest clash at the other end of the table will be between Newcastle Emlyn and Pencoed.
DIVISION 3.
Loughor could claim the West title if they defeat Cardigan and Penclawdd lose what should be a thriller at home to Gorseinon. Llandelio’s fight for survival will continue against Lampeter.
Bargoed have won in the East and will attempt to remain unbeaten as they take on promotion hopefuls Rhymney, while Pill Harriers go to Abercarn; Old Illtydians to Cwmbran and Abergavenny will have their hands full at Abergavenny.
The South-East title battle continues as unbeaten leaders Rhydyfelin are home to Ynyswybwl and Mountain Ash go to Tonyrefail, while Penygraig face a hard trip to Ruthin.
Maqesteg Quins go to Brynamman in the South-West with a hard fixture list remaining, but the game is at Seven Sisters, where Aberavon Quins are the visitors. A defeat for the Quins would only leave Seven Sisters as challengers to Maesteg Quins.
DIVISION 4.
Most of the Division 4 action will take place in the North, a Llangefni win against Colwyn Bay would give them the title as Mold play their final game at Denbigh.
Pontllanfraith sit it out in the East as second-placed Tredegar Ironsides meet Ynysddu, but the signs are that the Ironsides will need a point from next week’s clash with bottom club Llanhilleth to finish top.
Amman Utd took the West title on Tuesday in a 54-5 win at Gowerton where Dean Williams, younger brother of Shane, ran in three more tries. Match of the day will be at Cefneithin, who take on Laugharne in the battle for runners-up.
The South-East title will be put on hold as there are only a few games taking place, as there are in the South-West, when champions Tonna finish their season at home to Briton Ferry.
DIVISION 5.
Garndiffaith play for promotion as runners-up to Nantyglo if they can defeat Blaenavon in their final match in the East, while in the West, the battle between Pembroke and New Dock Stars continues with the Stars at St Clear’s and Pembroke home to Furnace, both expecting victories.
Bala have already taken the North title with Bethesda promoted with them, while in the South-West, there are few matches due and in the South-East the battle continues for top spot. Penallta and Porth won again on Wednesday, but Porth are the Bye side as Penallta meet a stern challenge in Cefn Coed, while Cilfynydd go to Ogmore Vale.
