Cardiff Met 26 pts. Narberth 32

The effects of Storm Desmond enabled the surface at the Cardiff Met ground to become relatively firm after the previous day’s rain. Narberth, with injuries affecting some senior players, fielded a fairly strong squad.

The game was played at a high tempo and the Otters played their part in a fiercely contested match, lasting the pace throughout.

The Otters kicked off into the gale force wind and at the first opportunity played a varied tactical game, with open rugby combined with phased moments and the high kicks being well chased, pinning the students in their half.

On five minutes, a Narberth player was taken out without the ball and from the resulting penalty, Ianto Griffiths gave the Otters a three-point lead.

Following this, spectators witnessed a period when both teams went for a kicking duel.

Having survived a penalty kick, experienced Narberth lock Lyndon Bateman was prominent with several attempts to aggressively cross the gain line, but the students successfully repelled the onslaught and made ground themselves, only for Bateman to again force his way forward and this time passed to Marc Jones, who kicked ahead but fullback Ollie Classe was alert to the sutation and cleared to touch.

On 13 minutes, Cardiff Met scored their first try via captain prop Will Norton. Having been awarded a penalty kick on their 22, good ground was made ,with the ball landing in touch near the Otters’ corner. From the resultant lineout, the prop was able to run round the blindside near the touchline to score and number 10 Tyler Williams added the extras.

When the first Otters’ try came after 21 minutes, it was no surprise that it was Lyndon Bateman who scored. Initially the pack attempted to force their way over by the near touchline and when held, recycled the ball for a series of phased play which the students repelled, before the Otters pack moved left towards the opposite touchline. Bateman then picked the ball from the ruck and, after initially forcing his way through the defenders, used a devastating sidestep to cross for the touchdown.

Replacement fly-half James Stephenson added the conversion, enabling the Otters to regain the lead at 10-7. Ianto Griffiths had been replaced after receiving a thigh injury.

From the kick out, the students attacked strongly and made ground down the stand side touchline, but the Otters’ defence held firm.

Then on 27 minutes, as a result of continued pressure, the Otters found themselves in a difficult scrum situation five metres from their line. With the referee having to reset the scrum three times, the students surprisingly pushed the Otters pack backwards over their line for scrum-half Miles Churcher to touch down. Tyler Williams converted and the students were back in front at 14-10.

The Otters regained the lead in the 32nd minute when a series of kicks involving James Stephenson and Jonathan Rogers saw a good follow-up, which resulted in quick possession and the ball being moved left to Liam Hutchins, who was able to speed over for the try, which Stephenson converted.

Seven minutes later, just before half-time, Liam scored a second try. The pack provided clean ball from a ruck and when it was kicked forward, it was collected by centre Steve Martin who raced forward and when blocked passed inside to flanker Llyr Morris who passed on to Liam for him to touch down and James Stephenson to convert.

A minute later the referee blew for half-time with the eager Otters having a deserved 24-14 lead.

The intensity and speed of the first half gave Otters supporters plenty to discuss and had them wondering whetherthis would continue in the second half and whether the lead was sufficient.

Sure enough, the pace seemed to quicken, with the students showing determination to make an impact. However, the Otters defended with equal effort, thwarting the attempted onslaught.

Unfortunately, Marc Jones was yellow-carded two minutes into the half. The coaches made an immediate adjustment, bringing on the experienced hooker Dan Smith and removing flanker Llyr Morris temporarily from the field.

During the subsequent period, although with only 14 men on the field, the Otters managed to contain the constant threat from the students.

On 65 minutes, Marc Jones returned from the sin bin, while Llyr Morris also returned and Calumn Tree replaced Gareth Bateman.

On 68 minutes, Cardiff Met broke the deadlock with a converted try. Narberth had moved into the home team 22 where it was collected by the wing who was able to break clear of the attacking Otters and, when challenged by Johnny Morgan, passed to hooker Ryan Roach, who crosse for a try, converted by Tyler Williams.

The students’ spirits were immediately raised and two minutes later they took the lead with an unconverted try by scrum-half Myles Churcher when, from a kick ahead, he was able to collect the bouncing ball and outwit the covering defence.

At this point the score was 26-24. Narberth made a change, bringing on Nick Gale, who replaced Jordon Roberts.

Cardiff Met continued to attack, but Narberth were able to repel their efforts and seemed to have overcome the youngsters’ scrum strength, enabling them to move forward.

Then on 79 minutes, Nick Gale received the ball and produced a massive drop kick aided by the continuing gale to put the Otters ahead 27-26, much to the delight of the away supporters.

Now dominant in the scrum, the Otters’ final score came from a back-pedalling Met scrum. Calumn Tree initially controlled the ball at number eight, before Lyndon Bateman took over and kicked forward, only for the ball to bounce back off a defender, for Steve Martin to kick forward again and win the chase and touch down for the finasl score of the game.

The game was a real thriller with many fine performances by the Otters, who demonstrated their fitness against the superbly fit Cardiff Met.

Captain Gareth Bateman made several effective tackles and was tested after a five-week absence with injury. First half, Lyndon Bateman was outstanding and well supported by the whole squad.

Later head coach Sean Gale commented: “It was a very good first half performance, the boys stuck in there, but we had a slip at the first scrum, which we corrected second half and totally dominated then, to take the game away from them. Fair play, they are a very good side, but our scrum had the upper hand.

“On our own line, our defence was superb. They had two breakaway tries, which was disappointing, but our defence for that quarter-of-an-hour in the second half won us the game, along with our scrum. We had a chance and took it. It is a hard place to come to win and we have done it. This new side is improving by the week.”

Narberth fielded: Johnny Morgan, Jordan Roberts, Steve Martin, Ollie Ryeland, Liam Hutchins (Nick Gale), Ianto Griffiths (James Stephenson), Jonathon Rogers, Dan Jacobs (Ollie Evans), Marc Jones (Dan Smith), Jamie Kaijaks, Lyndon Bateman, Adam Clark, Alex Jenkins, Llyr Morris, Gareth Bateman (capt.) (Calumn Tree). Sub not used -Pat Roberts.

Man-of-the-match was Jonathon Rogers.