Neath 38 pts. Narberth 24

Pembrokeshire rugby fans invaded fortress Gnoll at Neath last Saturday to watch the first of the tribute games in memory of former Narberth, Neath and Wales prop Brian Williams. Apart from buses from Narberth, there were coachloads of supporters from Crymych and Maenclochog as well. The weather was kind and the sun brought out the best of the players for both teams and supporters relished the open style of rugby on offer. After a period of early pressure from the Welsh All Blacks, it was the visitors who scored first when winger Tom Bonnell raced over in the left corner to finish off an excellent move by the Narberth backs. The try was not converted and Neath struck back 10 minutes later with a try by winger Kevin James, which was converted by outside-half Gareth Bowen, a former Narberth player. Narberth winger Mark Davies brought the crowd to their feet with an exciting run up the right touchline, until he was brought down yards from the line. The Otters had given as good as they got throughout the first half, but just before half-time, Neath centre Aled Bevan touched down for a try after a defence-splitting run by Gareth Bowen, who also converted the try. During the second half, both teams used the opportunity to bring on some former players from both clubs who wanted to pay their own personal tributes to Brian Williams. Some younger players were also brought on the field and Narberth youth team player Ryan Whatmore was the first to score with a try converted by Nick Jones after pressure by the Narberth pack. A few minutes later, winger Aaron Bramwell crossed the line for Neath with an unconverted try. When winger Tom Bonnell scored his second try for the Otters after a break by Andrew Davies, who also converted the try, the scores were level at 19 points each to set up an exciting last quarter. North Pembrokeshire farmer Kevin Phillips, the former Neath and Wales hooker, finished off a typical move by the Neath pack of old with a try converted by another West Wales product Adrian Varney, much to the delight of the Gnoll faithful. Narberth showed that they were still in the game with an unconverted try by Andrew Davies to narrow the gap, but two successive tries by winger Aaron Bramwell to complete a fine hat-trick, one of which was converted by Adrian Varney, gave the Welsh All Blacks the win on the day.

The Otters will have a chance to restore the balance in the return fixture which will be played in Narberth on a date to be arranged towards the end of April or early in May. Neath's Brian Thomas spotted Brian Williams when he played for Pembrokeshire against Japan in Haverfordwest and was a major influence and guiding force for the former Neath and Welsh prop. Commenting on the match, Thomas said: "The purpose of the day was to give tribute to probably the fittest, hardest and most disciplined player that I have ever known. "It turned out to be spot on as the crowd were great and both sides entered into the spirit of things. "The match gave an opportunity for some of the younger players to play with the established players of both teams together with players from both clubs who had trotted out with Brian Williams. It was quite an historical occasion really and match referee Colin Kirkhouse ensured that the game flowed. "What a spectacle and what a great day for Brian Williams. That's what it was all about and I am sure that he would have been proud of the day." On being asked his opinion of the Narberth team, he said: "After watching Narberth play Whitland earlier in the season, one of the criticisms was the general level of fitness of the Narberth players, which at the time was not too clever. I must admit that there has been an improvement since then. The speed of the backs and of the back row was impressive and all of the Narberth players wanted to have a go and did not make many mistakes. "Someone wants to take a leaf out of their book and give it to Wales, as the handling mistakes of Wales are up in the 20s, as is the penalty count, and no one seems to be correcting it." Brian Thomas made these remarks prior to the screening of the international match between Italy and Wales in Rome. Narberth's director of rugby, Jonathan Dodd, echoed the views expressed by the Neath guru. Dodd said: "I was very pleased with the whole day. Playing in front of a large crowd brought out the best in the Narberth players. It was a fitting tribute to Brian Williams in the way that the game was played, initially by the first team squads of both clubs and later by the old stagers who took the field in the second half. "Everyone enjoyed it, including the crowd ,and certainly all of the players enjoyed playing in the match. It was a good game all round. "We can take a lot out of our performance and I am sure that Neath can as well, particularly in the first half. Everyone who was here today gained something. It was a fitting tribute to Brian Williams that so many tickets were sold and that so many spectators turned up to watch." When talking about some of the younger players in the Narberth squad, Dodd reserved special praise for youth team product flanker Ryan Whatmore and young outside-half Mathew Johns. Continuing he said: "The players rose to the occasion and it was nice that we played with so much ball in hand. Our flanker Mathew Davies was nominated the Narberth man-of-the-match by the team management, followed closely by hooker Dan Smith." The Otters will have a chance to restore the balance in the return fixture which will be played in Narberth on a date to be arranged towards the end of April or early in May. There should be an even larger crowd for that fixture which is certain to produce more thrilling and enjoyable rugby to bring a smile to the faces of players and spectators alike. There are no league fixtures tomorrow (Saturday), so Narberth are without a game. The following Saturday, Narberth are away to Waunarlwydd. Narberth fielded: Sion Brace (capt.), Tom Bonnell, Steve Martin, Neil Davies, Mark Davies, Matthew Johns, Chris MacDonald, Nathan Williams, Dan Smith, Justin Hughes, Emori Katalau, Jason Jennings, Jack Mason, Jamie Bohata and Matthew Davies. Substitutes included Nick Jones, Mike Georgiou, Andrew Davies, Jonathan Dodd, Clive James, Sean Gale, Peter Jennings, Rhys Davies and Ryan Whatmore.