After sustaining several injuries to their squad in pre-season and recent matches, Narberth travelled to Beddau with a young and relatively inexperienced team.

Having avoided most of the rain suffered in Pembrokeshire during the week, on arrival the Beddau pitch looked in good condition. However, the players had only just got inside the changing rooms when a deluge arrived! Hailstones bounced off the ground for a good 20 minutes before the clouds dispersed, by which time water was standing on several areas of the pitch. Conditions were definitely going to be slippery underfoot.

In the early stages, Narberth retained the ball well and pressurised Beddau in and around their 22 metre line, but were unable to breach their defence. However, 10 minutes into the game, after a series of rucks, the ball was passed back to fly-half Jonathan Rodgers, who struck an excellent drop goal from about 30 metres out.

Due to the conditions, both teams opted for the safer option of kicking the ball downfield, with the hope of the opposition making a mistake under the high ball, but both Narberth fullback, Ianto Griffiths, and the Beddau fullback were solid in defence.

After about 30 minutes, Beddau came more into the game and were awarded a series of penalties at the breakdown where they chose to kick to the corners.

Beddau are renowned for their catch and drive at the lineout and at this stage Narberth were under severe pressure, but some great defence from both forwards and backs managed to keep them from crossing the line.

On 38 minutes, Beddau were awarded a penalty in front of the posts and elected to kick for goal. The penalty was duly slotted over by fly-half Hywel Chatham to make the score 3-3.

A minute later, Jonathan Rodgers missed a penalty from about 40 metres to leave the score level at half-time.

After the restart, Narberth came out the stronger and both young centres Keiron Jones and Keiran Griffiths managed to punch holes in the Beddau defence and send their teenage wingers Jack Parkinson and Gethin Gibby racing down the touchline.

From one such incident, a collision between Gethin Gibby and his opposing winger resulted in the Beddau player being knocked out and having to leave the field of play. Fortunately, the player recovered quickly, but was unable to rejoin the match.

After kicking away a lot of possession in the first half, Narberth changed tactics slightly in the second half and kept play in the forwards, with some driving runs by the front row of Bradley Davies, Dan Smith and Tom Slater well supported by second rows Jake Simm and Ryan Banner.

This allowed further attacks from an outstanding back row unit of Richard Rees, Sean Jenkins and Steffan Phillips and from one such attack the ball was recycled to scrum-half Rhys Lane, who darted away from the ruck and was brought down just short of the line. Narberth were awarded an ensuing scrum and proceeded to drive Beddau back towards their line. Beddau infringed and the referee had no hesitation in awarding Narberth a penalty try, which no longer requires conversion and which put Narberth into a useful 10-3 lead after 15 minutes of the second half.

Beddau refused to give up and tried desperately to break the Narberth defence, but every attack was thwarted by some strong defence from the entire Narberth team.

On 57 minutes, a speculative kick appeared to be knocked-on by a Beddau forward, but amid the confusion, the referee waved play on and this allowed the Beddau number eight to kick the ball forward and score a try midway out, which was converted by Hywel Chatham to again level the score at 10-10.

With it being a tough match and there being heavy conditions, both teams made several substitutions, with Narberth initially bringing on Ollie Evans and Dewi Williams in place of Bradley Davies and Ryan Banner.

Again Narberth responded to the challenge and five minutes later Jonathan Rodgers kicked another penalty to put the Otters 13-10 in front.

Still Beddau refused to lie down and after a further series of attacks, a penalty was awarded and once again fly-half Hywel Chatham brought the score level at 13-13.

With a draw looking a distinct possibility, further changes were made and Tom Powell, Lewys Gibby and Joe Hutchins replaced Sean Jenkins, Rhys Lane and Gethin Gibby (injured).

Again Narberth took the game to Beddau and with strong runs out of defence from Ollie Evans and an excellent turnover from Tom Powell, they were again awarded a penalty from about 40 yards out and an excellent kick by Jonathan Rodgers saw the Otters once again get their noses in front by 16-13 with only five minutes to play.

Despite some frantic efforts by Beddau to try and get something out of the game, Narberth held on with some solid defence and earned a great away win, much to the delight of their loyal supporters.

After the game, head coach Sean Gale commented: “It was a very pleasing away win at a place where it is always difficult to get a result. With several injuries to key players, we fielded a very young team and they did us proud. This augurs well for the future and means that we have a solid bunch of players who are prepared to work for each other.

“After the first half performance against Cardiff Met last week, I asked the players for an improved performance and we certainly got that. It gives us a lift going into our home game next week against Rhydyfelin, with two very difficult games away to Pontypool and Bedlinog coming up thereafter.”

Team: Bradley Davies, Dan Smith, Tom Slater, Jake Simm, Ryan Banner, Richard Rees, Sean Jenkins, Steffan Phillips, Rhys Lane, Jonathan Rodgers, Gethin Gibby, Keiran Griffiths, Keiron Jones, Jack Parkinson, Ianto Griffiths, Ollie Evans, Dewi Williams, Tom Powell, Lewys Gibby and Joe Hutchins.