After opening the season in League 1 West with two victories understrength Crymych crashed 53-0 at Felinfoel while in the same division NC Emlyn lost for the first time in three outings when beaten 37-20 by impressive Kidwelly at Parc Stephens.

Cardigan have conceded a total of 177 points in three League 2 West defeats, the latest a 65-5 hammering at the hands of Pontarddulais who won for the first time.

The north Pembrokeshire men went into the game at St George Field in Llanelli without several injured or unavailable players and the visitors were outplayed virtually throughout.

As the Preselimen focused on this Saturday’s visit of League 1 West leaders Tenby United in round one of the Pembrokeshire Cup team manager Adrian Howells did not make excuses for the defeat.

“We have to move on and hopefully bounce back this Saturday,” he said.

Seven days previously Felinfoel went down 42-19 at Newcastle Emlyn but any fears of another defeat at the hands of a club from the far west were dispelled as the visitors were put to the sword.

The home tries came via Stuart Edwards, Chris Jones, Elliott Dawe, Gary Edwards, Aled Roberts, Kyle Simmonite, Eliot Rees and Stuart Taylor while outside half Aled Roberts converted five of the scores and landed a penalty.

It was a reality check for Newcastle Emlyn against a Kidwelly outfit tipped by many to be one of the front-runners in the race for promotion.

Making mistakes at this level inevitably proves costly and that’s what Emlyn found as the homesters took full advantage especially at the start of the first and second halves when crossing for a couple of tries and for lengthy periods denied their opponents possession.

But consolation and perhaps hope for the Teifisiders was that despite failing to realise their potential managed to notch 20 points against one of the top sides in the division and conceded 14 points while fullback Sean Leonard was in the sin bin.

During the first 40 minutes Kidwelly went in for tries by fullback Dafydd Lewis, centre Andrew Francis and No. 8 Richard Rees with outside half Steff Marshall converting one of the scores and landing a penalty.

Outside half Rhydian Harries and winger Dan Davies kicked penalties for the visitors.

Carwyn Thomas got a fourth try for Kidwelly at the start of the second period and left-winger Luke Marshall also crossed with his brother Steff converting and landing a penalty.

Scrum-half Mike Jones and winger Steve Jones notched tries for the visitors, both scores converted by Harries.

Pontarddulais welcomed back three injured players for the game against Cardigan at Coedbach Park and the returning trio were to the fore as the young visitors were made to play second fiddle against opponents who were far more streetwise.

The foundation for victory was laid up front where Pontarddulais scrummaged powerfully with lock Dan Hennah outstanding throughout.

As the homesters ran in ten tries there was a hat-trick for flanker and skipper Nicci Hopkins and the other scores came from Richard Thomas, Martin Rees, Chris Davies, David James, Andrew Badger, Gethin Williams and Jonathan Hier. Centre Gwyn Davies landed six conversions and a penalty. Gruff Lewis got a try for the visitors.