Narberth 64 pts. Kenfig Hill 0
The Otters enjoyed a 10 try feast against Division Three South West opponents Kenfig Hill 64 points to nil.
A strong Westerly wind helped dry the Lewis Lloyd ground over a 36 hour period taking the condition from unplayable to an acceptable one. Visiting the Club was Geoff Hodder who had coached both teams during earlier times and was Narberth Treasurer for several years. Looking very fit in his retirement, Geoff enjoyed renewing his relationships within the Narberth Club. After game he refrained from expert comment except to express he had enjoyed the occasion.
Narberth fielded a slightly changed three-quarter line with Nick Jones playing in the centre. They started strongly, playing up field into the wind. After 10 minutes lock Alex Jenkins took a clean catch at the line-out five metres from the opposition line near the Clubhouse.
A maul formed and the strong Narberth pack pushed prop Ryan Perrott over for an unconverted try.
Five minutes later, the Mules had to withdraw fly-half Nicky Giles who had looked competent with his tactical kicking. His replacement was Mathew Tossel. Then 19 minutes into the game, Otters winger Jonathan Morgan made a 50 metre break from inside his 22. Matthew Davies came alongside side stepped and jinked his way into the Kenfig Hill 22.
From the ensuring ruck, lock Chris James passed to fly-half Aled Davies who fed winger Tom Bonnell with a long pass, and it required only a short sprint to the try line near the top corner for an unconverted try.
In fairness to Kenfig Hill, they stuck to their task gamely and at close quarters were able to stifle the Otters.
The final try of the first half came after 23 minutes. Aled Davies received good quality ball which he punted towards the top touchline. A good pick up by Tom Bonnell gave the winger a chance to make a dash for the line.
When Bonnell was stopped 10 metres short, he was able to pass to centre Steve Martin who glided over for a converted try, when Aled Davies at last found the technique to beat the difficulty of kicking into a strong wind.
The score remained at 17 nil until half-time. The Mules put in a strong resistance but the Otters made some handling errors otherwise the score would have been greater.
The second half became a try feast with Narberth correcting some of the errors made in the first half. Gareth Bateman along with the rampaging Narberth pack was able to run over receiving the ball five metres from the try line after it had passed through many hands for a converted try in the bottom corner.
A further try was added by centre Nick Jones after a successful Narberth ruck, scrum half Adrian Killa fed Aled Davies who flicked the ball inside to Jones for a converted try under the posts.
At this stage with Kenfig Hill causing numerous infringements, prop Ryan Perrott scored an unconverted try.
With the score at 36 points to nil, Narberth made several changes. Young hooker Gareth Flynn replaced Dan Smith, Jason Jennings came on for Alex Jenkins, Justin Hughes replaced Ryan Perrott, Luke Kendall for Gareth Bateman and Andrew Davies took over at scrum-half with Adrian Killa replacing winger Tom Bonnell.
A further change 10 minutes later, saw Richard Sharpe Williams replace Andrew Dennis. Kenfig Hill made two changes, their hooker being injured resulting in uncontested scrums.
23 minutes into the half, winger Jonathan Morgan scored a converted try at the far corner. It was followed by further converted ties from Nick Jones, Steve Martin and by second row replacement Jason Jennings.
Afterwards Director of Coaching Jon Dodd expressed his pleasure with the game and gave full credit to a depleted Kenfig Hill side. Otters Team Manager Robert Lewis commented that it was a very good win taking Narberth into the next round of the Swalec Cup, the pitch was in poor condition but Narberth were able to score many tries giving the supporters good entertainment.
He added "It also enabled the Otters to prepare for the next game at Whitland on December 27.
The Narberth pack front five with experienced Dan Smith are a young promising unit, the back row is looking more settled. The pack as a whole are showing the results of Sean Gale's coaching efforts.
In the line-out Alex Jenkins and Jamie Bohata took quality ball, lock Chris James did sterling work in an all round competent display and it is good to see Jamie Bohata putting in much hard work at Number eight. Their efforts enabled the three-quarters to show their undoubted skills.
Later, the Man of the Match award was presented by Dr Roy Davies to Number eight and Captain for the day Jamie Bohata. The Folly Farm Player of the month award was presented to popular hooker Dan Smith by Coach Clive James explained that his flawless line-out throwing and foraging in broken play were an important part of recent Narberth successes.
Narberth fielded Mathew Davies, Tom Bonnell, Steve Martin, Johnnie Morgan, Aled Davies , Adrian Killa, Ryan Perrott, Dan Smith, Tom Slater, Alex Jenkins, Chris James, Gareth Bateman, Andrew Dennis, and Jamie Bohata. Replacements Justin Hughes, Jason Jennings, Luke Kendall, Richard Sharpe Williams, Gareth Flynn, Andrew Davies.
Match Sponsors were Dr. Roy Davies in Folly Farm suite, Templeton Supporters in the Otters Holt. Ball Sponsors were: Narberth RFC Under 10 Section Parents and Coaches, Owain Howells and Guests, John Mathias and Friends, and Landshipping Boys.