Narberth 35 pts. Bedlinog 17

This game started with a scintillating try. Members and supporters who had enjoyed hospitality and pre-match fellowship had hardly had time to take their seats in the stand or their favourite viewing position, for within a minute of kick off the Otters scored.

The Otters kicked off, the visitors kicked back to the halfway line. The high ball was fielded and fed out across the field to the threes. The ball reached centre Jack Price, who seeing the Bedlinog defence spread out in front of him, dummied and jinked to break through a gap and speed 45 metres to score under the posts. Nick Gale had no problem converting.

Two minutes later, Bedlinog were penalised at the scrum and, with a following wind, Nick Gale positioned himself for a 50-metre kick, which had sufficient height and force to sail through the posts.

The visitors were now 10-nil down and when they themselves had the ball, they failed to make ground, with the Otters soundly being organised defensively.

Five minutes later, they were again penalised and again Nick Gale was able to score another three points.

Bedlinog had a chance to reply with a penalty on 11 minutes, but the effort was wide of the posts.

At this stage, Rhys Lane was prominent with his out of hand kicking and darting runs, which unfortunately failed to link with the following Otters.

At fly-half, Jonathon Rogers was making ground with his line kicks and occasional sky-high kicking.

On 14 minutes, the Otters once again took possession on the halfway line, where Nick Gale fielded a Bedlinog kick and sprinted forward and when challenged passed inside to centre Joe Hutchings to score in the corner. This time Nick Gale failed to convert the try, but the score was now 18 points to nil.

Bedlinog came back at the Otters, who were penalised at a ruck on their 22. The Bedlinog fly-half kicked to the five-metre line by the clubhouse. At the resulting lineout, they were adjudged to have not thrown straight and the Otters chose to have a scrum, which was reset. This time the Otters provided a clean heel for a clearing kick to relieve the danger.

Bedlinog resorted to advancing via a rolling maul, with Narberth being penalised for pulling it down, but fly-half Ben Grzesica saw his subsequent kick hit the post and bounce back for the Otters to clear the danger.

On 25 minutes, the Otters increased their lead when excellent quick ball at the lineout allowed Jack Price to make a break and feed fly-half Jonathon Rogers, who sprinted clear to touch down and give Nick Gale an easy conversion.

On 30 minutes, the Otters gained a bonus point when Bedlinog attempted to go through the phases with their rucks, but lost possession. The ball was fed to Jack Price, who passed to Rhys Lane and, making ground, he passed to wing Liam Hutchings to score the Otters’ fourth try, which went unconverted.

Bedlinog came back at the Otters and again attempted to advance using the rolling maul, but it again ran out of steam. As a result, the referee awarded a penalty, and choosing a scrummage, Narberth heeled for Jonathon Rogers to clear the situation with a touchline kick.

Half-time arrived with the score at 35 points to nil.

During the interval, discussion amongst the supporters was positive and they were clearly looking forward to a further feast in the second half.

On the field, besides the named scorers, captain Alex Jenkins and second row partner Jack Sims were jumping well in the lineouts, and there were other positive performances throughout the team.

Within two minutes of the restart, Nick Gale was again adding points with a 40-metre penalty kick into the increasing wind.

Bedlinog, probably inspired by their half-time pep talk, then had a sustained three-minute period and, despite a strong and organised defence, they managed to work an overlap, with wing Owen Rees squeezing over in the far corner for an unconverted try.

On 52 minutes, newcomer young Jack Parkinson replaced the competent Joe Hutchings at centre.

Bedlinog were again back in the Otters’ half with a penalty kick, which crossed the touchline near the stand side bottom corner.

A minute later, new prop Berian Watkins was sin-binned with a yellow card for offending at the ruck. Bedlinog took a quick tap penalty, enabling fly-half Ben Grzesica to a score a try, converted by fullback Dan Parry.

Then on 58 minutes, after a further challenge in the Otters’ half, fullback Parry scored a try which he converted himself. Bedlinog gained possession on the 40-metre line, moved the ball across the field towards the stand and, when challenged by the Otters defence, there was real support and they were able to get the ball to the fullback who made a five-metre dash over the line to touch down.

The score was now 35 points to 17.

On 64 minutes, the Narberth coaches replaced several of their tiring players. Ryan Rees came on for a limping Bradley Davies and Berian Watkins returned from the sin bin, while Ianto Griffiths replaced Jonathon Rogers.

With time running out, Bedlinog were awarded a penalty on the five-metre line. They chose a scrum and attempted to push the Otters over their line. Gaining some ground, the referee decided to reset the scrum, but this time the Narberth scrum held firm and they were able to heel and clear their lines.

A minute later, Rhys Lane kicked the ball into touch and the referee blew for full-time.

The game proved to be one of two contrasting halves, with the Otters enjoying a try-spree in the first half. In the second half, making use of the strong wind and the slight slope, the Bedlinog pack gained significant possession, showing why they were promoted from Division One last season. Situated adjacent to the Merthyr Valley, they included a few of last season’s Merthyr squad and the return game could be a fiery battle up front.

Afterwards, head coach Sian Gale said that he was very pleased with the win.

“First half we took advantage with every one of the chances presented, and scored four tries in 20 minutes,” he commented. “Our execution in defence was superb. They had no option but to kick the ball a lot, but there was a big wind against us second half. Fair play to Bedlinog, they never gave up. We are very happy to have a bonus point win at home against a very dogged side.

“There were some good performances by the lads. Jack Price was outstanding at centre, Jonathon Rogers controlled the ball well, Calumn Tree at number eight had a particularly good game and I thought Alex Jenkins was good. On the whole, as coaches we were very pleased.”

Later, the sponsors awarded the man of the match award to Jack Price. Further presentations were made to several retiring club officials by the Supporters Club.

Narberth fielded: James Stephenson, Nick Gale, Joe Hutchings (Jack Parkinson), Jack Price, Jonathon Rogers (Ianto Griffiths), Rhys Lane, Bradley Davies (Ryan Rees), Dan Smith, Berian Watkins, Jake Simm, Alex Jenkins (capt.), Pat Roberts, Sean Jennkins, Calumn Tree.

Tomorrow (Saturday) Narberth travel to Newcastle Emlyn for their local derby game, kick off 2.30 pm.