Glamorgan Wanderers 6 pts. Narberth 33

After quite a downpour of rain during the morning, the Wanderers’ pitch was in good condition, albeit that the grass could have done with a bit of a trim!

When they took the field, the Wanderers team looked to be a young, fit side, with plenty of Cardiff Academy players amongst them. Narberth were hoping that with a bit more experience in their team this would see them in good stead to win the match.

Early on there was very little between the teams, with both sides looking to run the ball at every opportunity.

After about 15 minutes, the Wanderers’ fullback made a poor clearance kick which was caught in mid-air by Narberth fullback, Nick Gale, who spun out of a tackle and sprinted along the touchline to score a fine try, which he then converted to make the score 7-0 to Narberth.

Shortly afterwards, a period of pressure near the Narberth line resulted in a penalty being awarded, which was duly kicked by the Wanderers fly-half (7-3).

The Narberth set-piece was working well, with lineouts and scrums providing the backs with plenty of ball, although the Wanderers were far more competitive at the breakdown.

After a series of interpassing amongst the forwards, with Narberth number eight Callum Tree frequently leading the charge, the ball was worked to the backs and centre Jack Price made a half-break and offloaded to the supporting Nick Gale, who again scored a try in the corner. This went unconverted to leave the score at 12-3.

After more pressure from the Narberth scrum, the Wanderers were penalised and Nick Gale kicked a penalty from about 45 metres out to make it 15-3.

Just before half-time, the Wanderers got more into the game and after a series of attacks by their backs, they were awarded a penalty which was again kicked by their fly-half (15-6).

After a stern talking to at half-time behind the stand, the Wanderers’ players came out for the second half with renewed vigour. They put the Narberth team under severe pressure and only solid defence by both backs and forwards kept them out.

With renewed confidence, the Wanderers were now looking to run the ball from everywhere, but a loose pass was picked up by centre Jack Price, who again made ground before passing the ball to the supporting Nick Gale, who completed his hat-trick of tries, but which he again failed to convert (20-6).

After this setback, the Wanderers’ heads began to drop and Narberth took more and more control of the game, with darting runs from the ever-alert scrum-half Rhys Lane and bulldozing runs from flanker Pat Roberts.

After more pressure from the Narberth forwards, the Wanderers again infringed at the breakdown and Nick Gale kicked a relatively straightforward penalty (23-6).

During the last 15 minutes of play, Narberth increased their control over the match and had two lineouts close to the Wanderers’ line. After a fine catch by captain Alex Jenkins, the forwards drove towards the line, only to be pushed into touch metres short. The subsequent lineout was won and another Narberth drive was stopped just short of the line, but the referee judged that the maul had been illegally collapsed by the Wanderers’ forwards and Nick Gale kicked the ensuing penalty (26-6).

With time running out, the ball sped across the Narberth backline, reaching winger Joe Hutchings, who went over the try-line, but was held up. At the following scrum, the Narberth forwards drove towards the Wanderers’ line with a determined effort from the front row of Dylan Cooper, Dan Smith and Ryan Rees and with a try looking inevitable, the Wanderers’ front row broke up and the referee had no hesitation in awarding a penalty try, which was converted by Nick Gale.

Shortly afterwards, the referee blew the final whistle and Narberth had managed to secure an excellent away win, with the addition of a bonus point for having scored four tries.

The Narberth players and coaches were all delighted and now look forward to another tough contest next week with another away match against Skewen.

Narberth fielded: Nick Gale, Liam Hutchings (Joe Hutchings), Ollie Reyland, Jack Price, Jack Parkinson, Ianto Griffiths (Jonathon Rogers), Rhys Lane, Lyndon Cooper, Dan Smith, Justin Hughes (Ryan Rees), Jake Simms, Alex Jenkins (capt.), Pat Roberts, Sean Jenkins (James Bain), Calumn Tree (Steffan Phillips).