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WHITLAND 7   NEWCASTLE EMLYN 18

Emlyn go into the Christmas / New Year break in the completely unexpected position of second in Division One West three points behind leaders Kidwelly. Despite the obvious effects of Black Friday on some players the team as a whole gave their coaches Marc Lloyd, Arwel Davies and Charles Gale, as well as their loyal band of supporters the best possible Christmas present with another hard fought victory.

This was the first time ever these clubs had met in a League fixture and there was a great deal of trepidation amongst Emlyn followers as the home side have been amongst the top flight of Welsh Rugby since Leagues came into being. Whitland had done their homework on the visitors and from the kick off they were determined to close down the space on the dangerous Emlyn three-quarters as quickly as they could. With the heavy pitch also slowing the speedy Emlyn side the game developed into a dogfight between two evenly matched sets of forwards.

   Conditions at this time of the season never suit free flowing running rugby but it is a sign of the growing maturity of this Emlyn team that they are now not only able to cope with these conditions but come away with a victory against a well organised side like Whitland. Again it has to be admitted the red and whites were indebted to the work of Owain Powell, initially as a flanker then as a scrum half, who again demonstrated his commitment and rugby ability in switching positions so effectively.

He was closely followed by veteran second row and player coach Arwel Davies who dominated the lineouts and acting captain Dai Jones who not only scrummaged effectively but got through a tremendous amount of work in the loose. This was a forward battle and credit must go to the youngsters in the Emlyn side who tackled their hearts out to ensure victory for the red and whites.

   The opening exchanges were very much nip and tuck with the home side using the elements very well through their scrum half Dafydd Evans. On their first foray into the home half Emlyn executed a lovely back move and centre Dan Davies went outside his opponent to put his namesake Dan Davies on a run to the corner. Desperate Whitland defence managed to bundle the speedy winger into touch just before the corner flag.

Emlyn’s attempts to increase the tempo of the game frequently floundered on their inabilty to supply quick ball from ruck situations as the Whitland back row managed to effectively slow the ball down at the contact area. After twenty five minutes Emlyn managed to break the shackles when from a free kick just outside their own twenty two impressive number eight Brynmor Jones took a quick tap. He charged forward some fifteen metres from the resulting ruck, quick ball was transferred to outside half Rhidian Harries who made a superb break before linking with his three-quarter line. The ball was transferred to speedy outside centre Alun Howells who crossed for an excellent unconverted try in the corner.

That was the only score of a hard fought first half with the only other incident of note was Emlyn scrum half Mike Jones having to leave the field with a shoulder injury. Coach Lloyd made a brave decision in moving Powell from flanker to scrum half and brought on last year’s Youth captain Gareth Thomson as an open side. It proved to be an inspired move as Thomson had an excellent second half in defence and attack, allowing Powell time to control matters from the scrum half position.

Winger Dan Davies extended Emlyn’s lead some two minutes into the second half with a well struck penalty from a scrum infringement by Whitland. This seemed to waken up the home side who came back strongly at their visitors. Full back Stephenson just missed with two penalty attempts but they eventually scored a try when powerful number eight Jack Mason burst through some feeble Emlyn defence to put winger William Davies over in the corner for a try converted by Stephenson.

The pick-up and drive tactics employed by the home side had always caused Emlyn problems but with captain Dai Jones leading by example, closely followed by hard tackling flanker Bedwyr Davies the home side found themselves basically running into a red and white brick wall.

As the home side began to noticeably tire Emlyn were able to extend their lead through another penalty by winger Dan Davies and gaps began to appear in Whitland’s defence. Number eight Brynmor Jones linked well with Powell from a scrum just outside the Whitland twenty two, and the half back was brought down metres from the home line. Showing great composure he twisted in the tackle and passed the ball from the ground up to supporting winger Llyr Jones who crossed in the corner for a try superbly converted by Dan Davies.

Jones, Leonard and centre Viv Jenkins all came close to adding to Emlyn’s score but the home side managed to defend desperately to keep them out. When excellent referee Andrew Davies blew the final whistle a number of the home supporters were relieved that they had managed to defend so well to keep the speedy Emlyn three-quarters in check. For Emlyn, satisfaction that they still remain in the hunt for top position but fully aware that January 2015 will be an important month for them in their quest for honours with important League and Cup games to come.