Narberth 38 - Newbridge 10: The Newbridge home fixture is always a game of incident and on times has caused the Otters problems.

Last Saturday, the weather played a small part in proceedings, resulting in players slipping on the wet, grassy surface and on times the ball became extremely greasy, causing errors by both teams.

Before the game, the Former Players Association enjoyed their first reunion of the season with guests John Daniels and Brian Harries.

Again the Otters were unable to field their strongest team. From the previous week, number eight Steffan Phillips and Rhys Lane were unavailable through injury and second rower Jake Simm was away on his honeymoon. Captain Alex Jenkins returned and Tom Kaijaks partnered him. Ryan Banner moved to number six, with Tom Powell resuming at number seven and Richard Rees switching to number eight. In the backs, Keiran Jones moved to the wing, with Jake Jenkins taking his centre position.

The Otters kicked off and Newbridge were on the scoreboard after only two minutes of play. Newbridge, receiving and catching the ball, had kicked towards the clubhouse corner. The Otters took clean ball, but at the subsequent breakdown, the visitors were able to gain possession and centre Lewis Hudd crashed over for a try, with fly-half Sam Withers converting.

The Otters equalised four minutes later with a Johnny Morgan try. The move started with Richard Rees making several metres before passing to Jack Price, who in inimitable forceful style crossed the gain line, saw a gap and moved through before being challenged. A neat pass to Johnny Morgan then saw him fly over for a try, which Ianto Griffiths converted.

Throughout the half the game flowed back and forth, with Jack Price in particular forcing Newbridge back with his strong running and often requiring several players to pull him down. Unfortunately, there were occasions when the referee saw fit to penalise the Otters, thus stifling the attacking process.

When the Otters were able to ruck, they moved the play quickly to both wings, but the opposition held firm. The Newbridge number 10 Sam Withers was proactive in their attempted forays. Narberth always looked dangerous with ball in hand, but with Newbridge lying flat and close to the Otters, they were able to stifle the attacking initiatives of the home side, and so the half closed with the score remaining 7-7.

It seemed that the Otters would have to produce something special in the second half to overcome a determined opposition.

Within two minutes of the restart, Ianto Griffiths kicked a drop goal.

Newbridge responded and on 44 minutes, outside-half Sam Withers kicked a penalty, bringing the scores level once again.

Then with the Otters kicking off the restart and playing down field, they gave chase, with Ryan Banner colliding with the goal post as he attempted to touch down. The referee awarded a scrum with a Newbridge put-in, the Otters pack forced Newbridge almost to the line, succeeding in winning the put-in themselves. The next scrum collapsed, the referee deciding on a reset. This time the Otters succeeded in wheeling the scrum, with the referee resetting it a second time. On the fifth occasion, the referee awarded a penalty try. This showed the Otters pack had a stranglehold in the tight.

By this time, Nick Gale had left the field, with Jonathan Rogers coming on at fly-half and Ianto Griffiths switching to fullback.

On 56 minutes, Jack Price, who was a real attacking force throughout, scored a good try. Using a few dummied passes to cause the opposition to hesitate, he broke through and grounded the ball on the line. Ianto Griffiths converted bringing the score to 24-10.

This was followed by the Otters bringing on winger Gethin Gibby to replace Jake Jenkins, with Keiron Jones moving inside to centre. Also, burly prop Dan Jacobs was replaced by Kyle Hamer and then a few minutes later Rhodri Owen replaced Dan Smith.

An ugly situation suddenly developed near the stand when a Narberth player was attacked and a Newbridge bench member appeared to interfere with a Narberth player on the touchline.

The game settled down, but on 77 minutes, Keirion Jones was on the scoresheet with another good try. A successful lineout saw the ball fall loose for Lewys Gibby to take control and with quick distribution, it reached Keirion Jones who evaded the defence to cross for a try converted by Ianto Griffiths.

On 80 minutes, Johnny Morgan scored his second try when Jonathan Rogers used his long pass to move the ball to Jack Price, who slipped it to Keirion Jones, and he in turn fed Morgan to touch down. Again Ianto Griffiths added the extra points.

A few moments later the referee blew full time, with the Otters achieving a comprehensive win 38 -10 and giving them five league points.

Several players stood out, particularly Jack Price with his forceful runs, Richard Rees, ever-alert in the back row often crossing the gain line, Ianto Griffiths with his consistent deadball kicking, and the front row of the scrum, in fact all eight of the pack who between them killed off the Newbridge front row during the second half period.

Immediately after the game head coach Sean Gale expressed his delight at the comprehensive win.

“The game was an improvement on last week’s game,” he said. “We still have several players injured. There are areas where we can improve. However, I am delighted with this bonus point win.”

Later in the clubhouse several presentations took place. The first was to the club by the Pembrokeshire and District Rugby Union whose Pembrokeshire referees had voted Narberth the most courteous and hospitable. The club president, Dorian Howells, received the Reg Jones Trophy from their chairman, Andrew Thomas.

The match sponsors, Hywel Griffiths and Sons Plant Hire Ltd, awarded the man of the match to flanker Tom Powell.

Narberth fielded: Nick Gale, Johnny Morgan, Jack Price, Jake Jenkins (Gethin Gibby), Ianto Griffiths (Jonathan Rogers), Lewys Gibby, Dan Jacobs (Kyle Hamer), Dan Smith (Rhodri Owen), Tom Slater, Tom Kajaks (Owen Jordan), Alex Jenkins (capt), Ryan Banner, Tom Powell, Richard Rees.