Rhydyfelin 13 - Narberth 36: Narberth travelled to Rhydyfelin with several changes to the team which defeated Newbridge the previous week. Although only 3 weeks into the season, many players have already picked up injuries and it has been necessary to make use of the entire squad.

Rhydyfelin is a tough place to go having only lost two games at home last season and they are a typical valleys team with powerful aggressive forwards and hard running backs. The team knew they were in for a difficult match and that they would have to start well. This they did and for the first quarter of an hour Narberth retained most of the possession and Rhydyfelin were forced into defensive action well inside their 22 metre line. The Narberth forwards were recycling the ball well and the backs were moving the ball back and fore across the field trying to force an opening only for last ditch tackling by the home defence thwarting their efforts. Then after a series of 5 metre scrums the ball was fed out to the backs. After full back Ianto Griffiths was tackled the ball was quickly recycled and a long pass by Jonathan Rogers to Jack Price saw the centre round his opposite number and score a try wide out which was converted by Ianto Griffiths (0 – 7).

Rhydyfelin then came right back into the game forcing Narberth to defend their line for a long period of time but some outstanding defence by both backs and forwards kept Rhydyfelin out. However after constant pressure Narberth gave away a penalty which was kicked by the Rhydyfelin fly half (3 – 7).

Almost from the kick off Rhydyfelin exerted more pressure setting up a series of driving mauls but when they spread the ball wide a dropped pass enabled Narberth to gain possession. Centre Keiron Jones was quickly put into space, raced up field and when confronted by the Rhydyfelin full back passed inside to the supporting Jack Price who scored under the posts. Ianto Griffiths converted the try (3 – 14).

Rhydyfelin continued to take the game to Narberth gaining several penalties which they kicked to the corner to create driving lineouts. Narberth’s stubborn defence stopped this ploy but when Rhydyfelin spread the ball wide their big left winger drove through Johnny Morgan’s attempted tackle and scored in the corner. The try went unconverted (8 – 14). That was the final score of the first half.

The second half began in similar fashion with both teams using their forwards to get over the advantage line before releasing their backs and spreading the ball wide. After further pressure from Rhydyfelin an excellent kick out of defence by Ianto Griffiths saw the ball roll into touch near the Rhydyfelin line. After winning the resulting lineout a poor kick by the Rhydyfelin scrum half gave Narberth a lineout ten metres out. Second row Alex Jenkins won the throw in and hooker Rhodri Owens drove forward and then slipped a pass to Tom Powell. When tackled, the ball was quickly recycled and passed along the three quarter line to winger Laurence Headlam who was brought down just short of the line. From the resulting ruck Prop Bradley Davies drove towards the line and when tackled the ball came back to fly half Jonathan Rogers who passed to flanker Llyr Morris and when confronted by the last line of defence he slipped the ball to winger Johnny Morgan who scored in the corner. Ianto Griffiths failed with the conversion attempt (8 – 19).

Narberth were now gaining the ascendency in the scrums but Rhydyfelin who were now desperate to score were throwing the ball wide at every opportunity and gaps were beginning to appear in the Narberth defence. From a series of lineouts close to the Narberth line Rhydyfelin were putting the pressure on Narberth but dogged defence was keeping them out. From another relieving kick upfield Rhydyfelin knocked on at the resulting lineout and Narberth were awarded a scrum 20 metres from the Rhydyfelin line. Narberth No.8 Richard Rees picked up and went round the blindside. He broke through the first tackle and then passed inside to the supporting Andrew Cooke who ran in under the posts. Ianto Griffiths kicked the conversion (8 – 26).

Shortly after the kick off Ianto Griffiths attempted a relieving kick out of defence which was caught by the Rhydyfelin flanker. He passed to the 2nd Row who drove strongly upfield and when eventually brought to ground he slipped the ball to his supporting Centre who ran in close to the posts but the conversion attempt failed (13 – 26).

Narberth made team changes with Lewys Gibby replacing scrum half Rhys Lane, Owen Jordan replacing Prop Bradley Davies and Dan Smith replacing Hooker Rhodri Owens.

Narberth attempted to tighten their grip on the game and after a series of forward drives Narberth were awarded a penalty which was kicked by Ianto Griffiths (13 – 29).

Jake Jenkins then came on at centre with Jack Price moving to the wing replacing Johnny Morgan and Kyle Hamer replaced Andrew Cooke in the back row. Rhydyfelin refused to give up and again took play deep into the Narberth half. They were awarded a penalty, took it quickly but when their fly half attempted to throw a long pass it was intercepted by Keiron Jones who ran a full 90 metres to score under the posts which ianto Griffiths again converted. Final score Rhydyfelin 13 Narberth 36.

After the match Head Coach Sean Gale said “We are obviously delighted to come to Rhydyfelin and get a bonus point win. For various reasons we have had to rotate our squad for the first three league matches and every player has stepped up to the mark and done what was asked of them. There is a great team spirit amongst the players and this is borne out by their performances on the pitch. They all work hard for each other and have the will to win. We are in a good place at the moment having won our first three matches but we know that next week will again be a very difficult encounter away to our local rivals Newcastle Emlyn who will be keen to pick up points from a home game. This is a tough Division and there are no easy games. We will have to be at the top of our game again next week if we are to come away with another win. A big thanks must go to all our supporters who travel everywhere to support the team”.

Narberth fielded: Ianto Griffiths, Johnny Morgan (Jake Jenkins), Keiron Jones, Jack Price, Laurence Headlam, Jonathan Rogers, Rhys Lane (Lewys Gibby), Bradley Davies (Owen Jordan), Rhodri Owen (Dan Smith), Tom Kajack Tom Powell, Alex Jenkins, Richard Rees, Andrew Cooke (Llyr Morris), Steffan Phillips.