In the first ever match between the two teams, the Principality Premiership Division side were slicker and quicker than the Otters who put up a performance that their fans could be proud of, despite the scoreline. Ponty have never lost a match at Sardis Road in the Welsh Cup against any team from a lower division and did not look like surrendering the record on Saturday. The home team gave notice of their intentions from the start and bombarded the Narberth 22 continuously in the opening exchanges, apart from one brief foray at the other end of the field following a break by Otters centre Neil Davies. The opening try came after seven minutes when right wing Chris Clayton finished off a 15-man move with a try in the right corner, converted by outside-half Dai Flanagan. The second try came after a break by centre Gavin Dacey had opened up the Narberth defensive lines and Clayton was on hand again to cross for another try on the right, which Flanagan failed to convert. The lead was increased after 18 minutes when fullback Morgan Stoddart came into the line when an overlap was created and crossed for a try converted by Flanagan. With Ponty scoring at a rate of a point a minute, it looked as if they might nudge up 100 points. The Otters continued to give everything they had and prevented another try for 12 minutes when Clayton completed a fine hat-trick after a powerful run by skipper and number eight Nathan Strong. Flanagan converted the try, but his conversion attempt of the fifth try of the half, scored by winger Daniel Hitchins, struck the left upright. The Narberth supporters had turned up in strength to cheer on their team, but when prop Gerald Cox scored after just five minutes of the second half they must have been thinking 'Here we go again'. Flanagan converted the try, but had to wait 10 minutes before having another conversion attempt when a try by winger Daniel Hitchins, converted by Flanagan, brought the score to 45 points to nil. The Otters regrouped again, remained positive and at times were within sight of getting some points on the board. After letting Pontypridd in for seven tries, the Otters worked hard on their defence and only one more try was scored in the remainder of the match, fittingly scored by Ponty captain Nathan Strong, who forced his way over for an unconverted try to bring up the half century. Team manager Robert Lewis was not downhearted after the match. Commenting, he said: "Although the scoreline does not exactly flatter us, we played exceptionally well in the circumstances, with the boys putting in a lot of hard work. "In the second half, we stuck at it and held Ponty to just three tries. We have a very young side. Although Pontypridd also have a young side, a high proportion of their players are in the Cardiff Blues Academy. "Ponty are very fit, played good rugby, with some nice touches, so we did well to keep up with them. It was an invaluable experience for the Narberth players with a lot of good individual performances. "We gave away too many tackles and leaked a few tries as a result, but generally it was a very pleasing performance against a team who lie in third position in the Principality Premiership Table. "As you know we have struggled this season with injuries to key players and with the unavailability of players of the calibre of Andrew Dennis through work commitments. "On a brighter note it was good to see Lewis Wood back in action as he has been missed big time in the back row. It was also encouraging to see Alan Phillips come on as a late substitute and he should be fit for a full 90 minutes of action in next week's home match against Newbridge." Although the Otters did not look like pulling off a surprise win, there were encouraging individual performances. Lock Chris James was not overawed by the occasion and had another outstanding game and the experienced international pair of Emori Katalau and Fifitipuku Falatah showed their experience and relished the challenge. By and large it was a good performance against higher class opposition by the Narberth pack, with Gareth Jones playing on permit from Pembroke again showing his promise as hooker and the lineout jumpers enjoyed his accurate throwing. Outside-half Wes Pooley is regaining confidence after a long lay-off from injury, centre Neil Davies broke through the Ponty line a number of times and his co-centre Steve Martin tackled well throughout the match. Flanker Jack Mason was handicapped by an ankle injury early in the game and was replaced at the half-time interval by Rob James. Tomorrow (Saturday), Narberth are home to Newbridge in a Division One fixture. Narberth fielded: Mathew Davies, Dan Shooter, Steve Martin, Neil Davies (Mike Giorgio) Rob Irving (Phil Thomas) Wes Pooley, Andrew Davies (Darren Allison) Martin Bowen (Alan Phillips) Gareth Jones, Fifitipuku Falatau (Peter Rodway) Chris James, Emori Katalau, Adrian Chiffi (David Ebsworth) Jack Mason (Rob James) and Lewis Wood.
