RGC 56 pts.

Narberth 14

The visit to North Wales to play Rygbi Gogledd Cymru (RGC) ended with a comprehensive defeat, but the score gives no indication of the close contest in the first half.

The venue, Parc Eirias, has been viewed many times on Welsh television. In reality it is a stadium that compares favourably with Cardiff Arms Park and must surely be more prestigious than most grounds in the WRU Premier League. The stand covers the whole of one side of the pitch and on Saturday must have been 90 per cent of its 1,000 capacity. A junior international tournament taking place the next day with teams from Italy, France, Scotland, Welsh Academicals and RGC helped fill the seats.

Also visiting North Wales were the Under 10 and 12s from Stirling County, so to add a different dimension to normal Championship League games, the youngsters formed a guard of honour for both teams as they entered the playing area.

The game kicked off with the ground being surprisingly firm underfoot, but well worn between both 22s. Both defences held firm and the Otters had several moves into the opposition 22, but seemed unable to make a decisive move to the try line. Whether the long journey north that morning had taken its toll, we shall never know.

For Otters supporters, it was a relief to see that the rucks were far more positive following the previous week’s debacle.

Initially, RGC had a penalty which they failed to convert into points.

On 10 minutes, Nick Gale just failed to win a race for a touchdown. RGC set up an attack which broke down in the Narberth 22, the ball was kicked towards the RGC line, as the ball was being gathered, Nick freed it, kicked forward and gave chase. Unfortunately, the ball went dead.

A few minutes later, the Otters were back on attack and this time Jordan Roberts just failed to make the touchdown when the referee blew for a knock-on. A scrum formed and, despite the Otters pressure, RGC managed to heel and clear their lines.

However, the Otters were very much in the game.

Then a few minutes later, RGC gained control of the ball at a ruck and set up an attack. The ball was fed to fly-half James Lang, who moved forward at speed and broke the Otters’ defence with a superb side-step and when challenged by Johnny Morgan passed out to number six Andrew Williams, who crossed the line near the posts and gave scrum-half Alex Schwarz an easy conversion.

The home supporters were encouraged by the game announcer to stamp their feet in appreciation and the older generation used their sticks!

At 22 minutes moving onto the RGC 22, after a typical break, Rhys Lane was tackled and not allowed to release the ball. A penalty was awarded, but again Nick Gale failed to convert.

Narberth continued to attack, with James Stephenson attempting high and low projected kicks over and through the RGC defence, but with little success. The Otters just could not break down the defence.

Then on 30 minutes, sprinting forward, outside centre Steve Martin received a really heavy tackle. Play was held up for much-needed magic hands and sponge work from the Narberth physios and sponge man Dywfor Morgan.

When play restarted, a promising move broke down for the Otters when a poor pass caused a knock-on.

RGC began to apply further pressure and on 39 minutes were awarded a penalty on the Otters 22, but again Alex Schwarz failed to find the posts.

Narberth kicked out, the ball was gathered by the RGC number eight, who proceeded to break through the Otters’ pack, reaching seven metres from the try line, where on passing to a colleague with an above waist pass, Narberth hooker Marc Jones intervened, in that his hands were above his head and the ball collided with his hand. Immediately the referee produced the yellow card, judging it as an intentional knock-on.

This decision proved a turning point in the game. Awarded a penalty, RGC kicked to the grandstand bottom corner. At the subsequent lineout, they gathered the throw and, using the rolling maul, crossed the line for number eight Zigmantes Radzius to touch down for the try, which Alex Schwarz easily converted to make the half-time score 14-0. Once again more stamping of feet!

That score seemed unfair after the Otters’ first half efforts. At 7-0 down one felt they were very much in the game.

The second half started almost with a bang when fly-half James Lang sped over on the grandstand side for a try converted by Alex Schwarz.

On 45 minutes, following good support play, centre Danny Cross scored and the try was again converted by Alex Schwarz to give RGC their bonus point.

Then on 48 minutes, a further Narberth initiative broke down, the ball was gathered by RGC who fed it towards the stand side and into the hands of fly-half James Lang who had a clear run in to score, and Alex Schwarz convert.

It seemed that the Otters had lost spirit and the missed tackles were beginning to cause problems. The yellow card incident seemed to have taken its toll on events.

RGC then made several changes.

Narberth were awarded a penalty, Nick Gale kicked to the five-metre line and from a safe lineout catch, the ball was fed out for Ollie Reyland to score his side’s first try, which Nick Gale converted.

Two minutes later, Ollie scored his second try when again the Otters were back in the RGC 22 and when play broke down, the ball was kicked ahead and Ollie touched down for Nick to convert.

At this point, with the score at 35-14, one sensed a real nervousness in the crowd that Narberth were about to take over.

The Otters coaches made a change, bringing on Jonathon Rogers, withdrawing Steve Martin and moving James Stephenson into his place. RGC also used their last two substitutes, replacing their outside centre and the scrum-half.

Two minutes later, replacement scrum-half Cameron Davies failed with a penalty kick for RGC.

Whenever Narberth had a scrum, the open side breaks by number eight Lewis Wood were blocked and the consequent rucks fiercely contested in defence.

On 64 minutes, an RGC try was scored by use of the rolling maul, again the number eight scoring and Cameron Davies converting.

Narberth came back, but RGC managed to hold them and break out of defence, moving towards the stand side, where centre Tian Loots received the ball and sprinted to touch down between the posts, with Cameron Davies converting.

The score was now 49-14. It seemed Narberth were tackling shadows and thin air; the strength of the first half had well and truly disappeared.

Right on full-time, RGC scored their final try. Although Johnny Morgan, as last line of defence, tackled well, at the ensuing ruck, the ball was fed to wing Sam Jones for him to score and Cameron Davies convert, bringing the score to 56-14 and the stamping of feet to an end!

Despite the final score, the front five of the pack held their own, but as the game and score progressed, challenged less; the back row had a disappointing game.

However RGC were well prepared by their international coaches, supported by all the modern technology used at the higher level, and as a consequence knew Narberth’s strengths and weaknesses.

Immediately after the game, the Narberth coaches explained their disappointment at so many missed tackles, despite the earlier efforts of the players. They stated Jordan Roberts never gave up the task and Ollie Reyland was the man of the match.

Narberth fielded: Johnny Morgan, Jordan Roberts, Steve Martin (James Stephenson), Ollie Reyland, James Stephenson (Jonathon Rogers), Rhys Lane, Ollie Evans, Marc Jones, Jamie Kaijak, Adam Clarke, Alex Jenkins, Gareth Bateman (capt), Lewis Wood, Pat Roberts. Subs - Dan Jacobs, Dan Smith, Gareth Owens, Maritz Neumann.

Tomorrow (Saturday), Narberth entertain Cardiff Met in a Championship league game at the Lewis Lloyd ground.

A mid-table clash, it should prove an entertaining game. Kick-off is at 2.30 pm.