Narberth 46 pts.

Tata Steel 5

Before commencing this top Championship game, a minute’s silence was held in respect of former club captain and past committee member, Norman Williams, who has sadly passed away.

At kick-off, the ground was bathed in bright sunshine and despite the international in Cardiff, a reasonable crowd attended and were to witness a really excellent game of rugby, described by some as outstanding.

Kicking-off, the Otters scored their first try within a minute, with wing Liam Hutchings crossing the line to for an unconverted try. Tata Steel kicked the ball to halfway, where, securing the ball, several phased moves took the Otters forward. Rhys Lane passed the ball out and, on receiving the ball, centre Jack Price broke through strongly and when challenged, using an underarm pass, released Liam to score far out.

Before kick-off, Tata Steel were joint second in the table with Narberth and it was no surprise that they scored six minutes later with a try in the bottom far corner.

The Steelmen kicked out and after the ball had been grounded, Nick Gale received it and with a particularly long kick, put the ball into their 22. Their right wing caught the ball, passed inside to his fullback, who kicked over the leading Otters, with the same wing collecting the rolling ball and moving infield, before releasing it to his pack, who rucked successfully a few times. The last ruck near the line saw the ball become loose and, in what used to be an offside position, tighthead prop Dai Edwards picked up, turned and flopped over for an unconverted try.

A few minutes later, the Otters again broke out, with Jack Price almost breaking clear before being brought down; unfortunately his pass out was knocked on.

A scrum formed and Rhys Lane passed out for Liam Hutchings to race over and touch down for another unconverted try.

The Otters sustained their pressure, but the Steelmen’s defence held firm.

On 20 minutes, as the result of another attack, fly-half Ianto Griffiths just failed with a drop goal, the ball veering left of the posts.

Four minutes later, Nick Gale scored a really well-executed try ,which he converted. It was a superb try. The Tata Steel fly-half had kicked into the Otters’ 22. Nick, playing at fullback, caught the ball, sprinted forward and when challenged, kicked ahead and won the chase to the line.

On 36 minutes, flanker James Bain, who had been out for eight weeks recovering from a chest injury, made his presence felt when he dived over in the top far corner for a try, which Nick Gale converted. The Otters had moved from their 22, working through several phases until the ball fell loose on halfway. Nick Gale kicked ahead, the Otters chased it, Jack Price gained the ball and broke forward, before setting James Bain on his way to score, which produced a bonus point at 24-5.

Now clearly in control, the Otters kept up the pressure until the referee blew for half-time.

As in recent games, the Otters’ defensive structure kept the Steelmen at bay and they scored three breakaway tries, giving themselves a great start, with the crowd wondering what was to come.

At half-time, supporters gave generously to a collection raised an on behalf of the Lymphona Association.

The Steelmen restarted the game and immediately the Otters went on the attack. At the first ruck, the referee penalised the Steelmen for holding on the ground. Nick Gale kicked to the clubhouse corner. The Steelmen won the lineout and attacked into the Otters’ half, number eight Steffan Phillips intercepted and broke away and, feeling the presence of the opposition, kicked ahead, but unfortunately the ball ran dead.

A few minutes later, Nick Gale attempted a 45-metre penalty kick which failed to find the posts.

At 50 minutes, Otters skipper Alex Jenkins was sent to the sin bin for an infringement at the ruck, while Tom Roberts came off the subs bench to replace the injured, hard-working Sean Jenkins. Four minutes later, props Lyndon Cooper and Tom Slater also replaced Bradley Davies and Justin Hughes, respectively. This was Tom Slater’s first game since last season having suffered a serious broken leg and ligament injuries.

Their impact on the game became clear with their efforts in the loose and tight. This was evident a minute later when, from a lineout, the ball was moved infield and both props played a part as the Otters moved forward, with Tom Roberts getting close to the line, before passing to Ollie Reyland, who was able to touch down for a try, converted by Nick Gale.

This gave the Otters a commanding 31-5 lead.

Just before 60 minutes, Joel Hutchings replaced Jack Parkinson on the right wing.

On 68 minutes, the Otters were awarded another penalty and Nick Gale added the three points.

Tata Steel attempted to attack when opportunities presented themselves but, whilst they had some fleet-footed threequarters, the Otters’ defence kept them at bay.

On 72 minutes, hooker Dan Smith was injured and replaced by Bradley Davies.

A minute later, the Otters scored their sixth try when Ollie Reyland raced forward to touch down under the posts, providing an easy conversion for Nick Gale.

The next attack by the Otters saw forwards and backs moving forward, with the ball being passed on to the nearest supporting player. It eventually reached flanker Tom Roberts, who made ground before passing inside to Ollie Reyland, who in typical forceful style touched down for another try.

On 80 minutes, with the Otters again attacking in Tata Steel’s 22, fullback Sam Evans impeded a Narberth player as he chased a kick ahead and received a yellow card for his efforts.

The Otters decided to take a scrum rather than a penalty. The referee insisted on several resets, before the Otters’ pack took contro, forcing their way over the line for scrum-half Rhys Lane to drop on the ball for the seventh try, which was not converted.

The Otters were given resounding applause by supporters after the game for their convincing display.

Summing up the Otters performance after the game, head coach Sean Gale commented: “The result of the game was very pleasing, the subs bench gave us extra strength, our set-piece was excellent and the defence superb. The execution of the game and the tries were top drawer. Defensively, we allowed them no way forward, they were joint second in the league and we absolutely outplayed them.

“It was a fantastic team performance, the players from one to 20 were excellent. The stand-out performers were flanker James Bain, who had not played for eight weeks and was superb, Jake Simm, who played his best game for the club, both centres, who were very physical and strong running, and Nick Gale at fullback, who was outstanding. The four props also proved their worth, with Tom Slater playing only his third game in two years.

“As a club we are in a fantastic place. Selection each week is becoming increasingly difficult because everyone is in top form. It was an outstanding performance.”

Narberth fielded: Nick Gale, Liam Hutchings, Jack Price, Ollie Reyland, Jack Parkinson (Joel Hutchings), Ianto Griffiths, Rhys Lane, Bradley Davies (Tom Slater), Dan Hughes, Justin Hughes, Jake Simm, Alex Jenkins (capt.), James Bain, Steffan Phillips, Sean Jenkins (Tom Roberts).

Those present considered the game one of the finest seen at the Lewis Lloyd ground and makes Saturday’s game against top team Pontypool (kick-off 2.30 pm) a game not to miss.