THE weather gods finally relented for the river Teifi to remain within its banks, and Newcastle Emlyn made the most of their opportunity to play with a hard-earned 9-3 win over Division One West title challengers and reigning League champions, Felinfoel.

Needless to say conditions were hardly ideal for a free flowing feast of open rugby, but the large crowd were treated to an intriguing contest, as both sides realised the importance of the victory.

In the end, it was the home side who prevailed, courtesy of three penalties from the boot of outside half Shaun Leonard, to one from Felinfoel full back Aled Roberts.

The heavy underfoot conditions and gale force wind across the field made running and handling difficult, but it did not deter either side from trying to move the ball, and the inevitable errors just added to the excitement.

Emlyn opened the scoring on 12 minutes when Felinfoel were penalised at the breakdown and Leonard slotted a difficult kick into the wind from some 22 metres out.

For Emlyn, flanker Gareth Thomson dominated the lineouts with some excellent two handed takes, and carrying powerfully in the loose.

Unfortunately, just before half-time, he was tackled from behind and had to leave the field with a broken leg.

The scrums proved to be quite evenly matched, and Emlyn’s front row of props Emrys Davies and Dexter Thomas, along with skipper Alex Williams more than held their own in the tight, and were prominent in the loose in attack and defence.

The difference in the end was the home side’s defence, led by flanker Dafydd Rotie, which time and again not only halted Felinfoel’s drive but drove them backwards.

Astute use of the wind by outside half Johnny George kept Emlyn pinned in their own half, but the home side went close when an interception on half way by Dafydd Evans saw the scrum half scamper 30 metres upfield, but he lacked the out and out pace to reach the corner.

Emlyn increased their lead at the start of the second half when a thundering tackle by Rotie saw the ball spilled, and the ever alert Emrys Davies picked up and accelerated towards the try line.

He was brought down on the 22 metre line, but Felinfoel were then penalised at the subsequent ruck by the excellent referee Simon Mills, and Leonard stepped up to drill between the posts.

The loss of Thomson saw Dan Havard move to flanker, but he and fellow second row Dyfed Morgan still dominated the line-outs, and worked hard in the loose.

Aggressive defence, this time led by centre Teifion Davies and Rotie, then forced the visitors to concede a penalty on their 10 metre line.

Declining to boot for the corner, Leonard elected to go for his most difficult kick of the day, and a huge roar signalled a successful effort, to give Emlyn a two score lead.

Both sides upped their efforts to attempt to score a try, but the conditions proved to be the winner on the day as, at one point, the game was played in a heavy hail storm.

With time running out the visitors were awarded a penalty on Emlyn’s 10 metre line and full back Aled Roberts converted for the consolation of a losing bonus point.