The Narberth squad spent longer travelling to the Rhondda than anticipated, but it did not seem to affect their performance. This was their second Championship League visit to Gelligwalod Park, a local authority ground.

Last season the Rhondda team, newly-promoted, had a very successful season, ending just ahead of the Otters in second place. The Otters lost this fixture in the Rhondda 21-13 last season, so the game had a special incentive.

The match commenced in rain. The home side kicked off playing from the railway end where there was just the slightest slope up to the halfway line. The Otters fielded and drove forward and at the breakdown the ball was knocked forward, the first scrum was formed. This is always a special interest to spectators. The Otters eight showed their strength, pushing the opposition backward and winning the first of many penalties. The first came after four minutes with Nick Gale coming forward and strucking a really fine kick between the posts.

Ystrad Rhondda were keen to show their worth, but the Otters’ defensive system was sound and when the second scrum occurred on 10 minutes, the whistle blew again as the Otters pack again pushed them backwards. Once again Gale gave the Otters a further three points with another fine penalty kick.

The home side restarted with a kick well into the Otters’ half, but fly-half Lanto Griffiths sent them backwards with a long kick to the opposition 22. In the next moments of play, the Otters were awarded a penalty, which Griffiths kicked long into touch. Alex Jenkins outjumped the opposition and the Otters started their pick and drive routine, before releasing the threes. Seeing an opportunity, Griffiths attempted a drop goal which was slightly off target.

Ystrad Rhondda dropped out from the 22 and were again penalised, this time at the breakdown. At the scrum, another penalty went to the Otters, but this time Nick Gale failed to score points.

The game restarted, the ball landing just in their half near halfway. At the lineout, Alex Jenkins again took clean ball and released wing Dafydd Pritchard who raced down the touchline and when challenged kicked ahead, but was penalised at the breakdown.

The defenders kicked into touch on their 22 and won the lineout and then put in a sky-scraper kick which the Otters knocked on. This time the Rhondda side managed to heel the ball from the scrum, but again were penalised. However the penalty kick from Gale failed to find the posts.

A few minutes later wing Josh Davies went over the try line, but was brought back. The move had come from another Alex Jenkins lineout take and when Griffiths was fed the ball, he put in quite a subtle kick which outside centre Joe Hutchings raced forward to catch.

However his pass to Josh Davies was adjudged to be forward.

Ystrad Rhondda restarted and chased to gather the ball and on gathering attempted a rolling maul before releasing, but were penalised as they attempted to move forward.

Gale then put in a fine penalty kick to the Rhondda corner. From the lineout, the Otters’ pack moved forward through several phases, before the defenders were penalised five metres out. Gale had no trouble adding three further points to give the Otters a 9-0 lead on 28 minutes.

Ystrad Rhondda attacked strongly from the restart, but were penalised, with inside centre Ryan Howells being given 10 minutes in the sin bin. One expected the Otters to gain the initiative, but with the partisan home crowd yelling them on, Ystrad Rhondda managed to find extra strength and managed to survive without a further Otters score.

Then the Otters really had to defend as they were driven back into their five-metre area, only for Ystrad Rhondda to knock on, enabling the Otters to win the scrum and Griffiths to clear the danger as the referee blew for half-time.

Clearly the local crowd were incensed by the number of occasions the referee penalised their team and during the first half attempted to persuade the referee that the Otters were offside when defending and passing forward when attacking. To an impartial observer it became irritating.

The Otters kicked off the second half and within two minutes, Nick Gale added his fourth penalty with another huge kick, taking the Otters to 12-0.

Following this, both teams competed strongly at the breakdowns, but Ystrad Rhondda conceded yet another penalty, which Griffiths kicked into touch within a few metres of the try line.

The home team recovered and gained a penalty which fly-half Rhys Truelove kicked for their first three points.

This brought a few changes for the Otters, with Tom Kaijack replacing Bradley Davies and Roy Osbourne replacing Jake Baker in the second row.

A minute later on 51 minutes, Gale kicked another penalty to take the score to 15-3.

From the restart both teams attempted to cross the gain line and make progress, but the defence on both sides was strong and aggressive.

In an attempt to overcome the defensive shield, Nick Gale attempted a drop goal that didn’t quite get between the posts.

Ystrad Rhondda managed to make progress well into the Otters’ territory. They brought fresh legs into their pack and advanced upfield, gaining a lineout near the Otters’ five-metre line. They produced a successful maul which crossed the try line for replacement Carl Williams to score an unconverted try on 60 minutes.

This gave Ystrad Rhondda incentive and there followed a torrid time in the red zone for the Otters, but their defensive system held firm.

Having survived this onslaught, the Otters went forward with successful phases, ending with Ianto Griffiths attempting a drop goal.

Then for some unseen reason, he was physically attacked and when supported by team-mates it turned into a larger rumpus. The referee took action, awarded a penalty, from which Nick Gale kicked another three points to bring the final score to 18-8 after 87 minutes.

Otters supporters left happy with a win in a game beset by infringements, particularly by the home side. Once again Nick Gale landed six penalties with his accurate long distance goal-kicking.

Afterwards, Sean Gale, director of rugby, commented “This was a very pleasing:

result. Before the game we talked about discipline and the gain line and the boys were superb, the penalty count was 15 to five. Our discipline was absolutely superb and defensively we kept our shape through six or seven phases which was fantastic. The will and want of the players was absolutely excellent and there is a good feeling in the team at the moment.

“Outstanding performances came from Rhodri Owen at hooker, who was excellent, the whole back row again, Steffan Phillips (8) and Tom Powell at seven were excellent, behind Ianto Griffiths had a very good game at 10 and Nick Gale continuously kicks the goals; his success rate as a goal kicker is fantastic.

“I think they all need a mention, though, it was a 20-man squad effort and to come away from the Rhondda with a win makes me a very proud coach. There were several players who could have won the Man of the Match award, but our choice was Rhodri Owen.”

Narberth fielded: Nick Gale, Dafydd Pritchard, Joe Hutchings, Jake Jenkins, Josh Davies Ianto Griffiths, Rhys Lane, Bradley Davies (Tom Kaijacks), Rhodri Owen (Dan Smith), Jake Baker (Roy Osbourne), Alex Jenkins, Richard Rees (Capt.) Tom Powell (Dewi Williams), Steffan Phillips.