PENCOED 12 pts

NARBERTH 39

Although the game was peppered with penalties, which hampered Narberth's free-flowing style, the Otters still managed to run in five tries in this comprehensive win at Pencoed to help consolidate their position at the top of National League division two.

The homesters opened the scoring when stand-off Mark Davies slotted over a penalty, but Narberth outside-half Simon Daniel soon put the teams back on terms with a similar strike at the other end.

With the Otters front row of Fifitapuku Faletau, Simon Delaney and Rob Jones grafting in the loose and back row men Gareth Bennett and Meurig Daniel probing from the base, the visitors soon had Pencoed under pressure, quick recycling of phase ball allowing the Narberth backline to run off at angles.

Locks Jamie Bohata and Emori Katalau were in commanding form in the linesout, giving the Otters a workable platform for their backline, while Daniel was impeccable at pivot.

Centre Andrew Bowen was in typically ebullient form, scything through the home defence at will, but it was another Andrew, wing Andrew Jones, who bagged Narberth's first try following good combination play.

Daniel added the extras and was also on target to convert when John Whitticombe rounded off another crisp handling movement with a touchdown, giving the Otters a comfortable 17-3 interval lead.

After the change around, Bowen picked up a deserved solo try for his enterprise all afternoon, with Daniel again slotting the ball between the sticks.

Davies tried to keep Pencoed in contention with three penalties, but the day belonged to Daniel, who nipped in for two well-taken solo tries, converted both and banged over another penalty for good measure.

Hooker Delaney picked up the man-of-the-match award, although he was pushed hard by Meurig Daniel, while Jones and Whitticombe also made their presence felt throughout, hampering the Pencoed defence at every opportunity.

The win now puts the Otters two points clear of UWIC with a game in hand.

Narberth take a break from league action tomorrow (Saturday) when they travel to take on Cross Keys in the fifth round of the Principality Welsh Cup.