The Otters travelled to Glynneath with several changes to the squad, enabling youngsters to gain exposure and experience of the Championship League.

The changes were as follows: Gethin Gibby replaced the injured Nick Gale and took his place on the right wing, Jake Jenkins came in at fullback and Lewys Gibby took on the key role of scrum-half, with Rhys Lane injured. In the back row, Richard Rees started and Adam Clarke was at lock.

The first score came after 10 minutes when from a free-flowing attack, Liam Hutchings was the last man to receive the ball and, with the homesters’ defence stretched, he raced over near the clubhouse corner to score a try, which Ianto Griffiths converted from an acute angle.

Both teams competed strongly, with Glynneath making use of high kicks into the Otters’ half, with their speedsters giving chase and piling into the rucks.

It was from one of these followed by a sustained period of pressure that they gained a very kickable penalty in front of the posts, which fly-half Dylan Francis slotted over with ease on 16 minutes, to bring the score to 3-7.

There followed a period where both defences remained strong, but this was eventually broken on 29 minutes by an excellent piece of individual play by Otters’ scrum-half Lewys Gibby. Collecting the ball just inside the Glynneath half, he jinked and dummied passes to evade despairing tacklers and, with a rare turn of speed, broke through the remaining defence to touch down for an unconverted try.

Following this, Glynneath broke out of their half and only a despairing tap tackle by Liam Hutchings stopped wing Aled Evans breaking clear of the Otters’ defence.

Glynneath attempted several moves and made ground, but the Otters’ defence remained steadfast.

The first half ended with the Otters pressing the Glynneath defence, but the score remained 3-12.

The ground was cutting up, but both teams attempted to play open rugby and in the main, both defences were strong.

The Otters kicked off the second half and literally from the catch, a long kick was put back into their half, but unfortunately for Glynneath, the ball rolled over the deadball line.

The Otters moved up field with phased rugby, but also varying their attack with strong running by both centres, who made much ground before being brought down.

Glynneath began to vary their attempts at breaking through the Otters and impressed with their quick movement of the ball.

However, on 52 minutes, the Otters set up yet another attack, moving the ball through hands to flanker Richard Rees, who made many yards, before Bradley Davies took over and when brought to ground passed to Lewis Gibby, who released Ollie Reyland and in his forceful way he made many metres. He reached the posts, managing to dive through the defenders to touch the right post with the ball and was awarded the try, with Ianto Griffths converting.

The next score came five minutes later. This proved the team spirit in the squad, with some great support play. A scrum was set in the Glynneath half, the ball was heeled and flanker Pat Roberts broke away on the open side, before passing to number eight Steffan Phillips who had come alongside. Making further ground, he passed out to Liam Hutchings, who continued the move, sprinting towards the line, and when challenged, passed to Pat Roberts, who was alongside and free to cross for the touchdown. Again Ianto Griffiths added the extras.

This was the fourth try, which gave the Otters their bonus point.

A few minutes later, the Narberth coaches decided to give the lads on the bench their chance. Jonathan Rogers replaced Ianto Griffiths and Dan Jacobs replaced Tom Slater.

A minute later, Glynneath were awarded a penalty and fly-half Dylan Francis kicked for touch. Unfortunately for the home team, they overthrew at the lineout, Jonathan Rogers quickly picked up the ball, starting the move of yet another try. He passed out to inside centre Ollie Reyland, who moving forward passed out to Liam Hutchings, who raced forward, before passing back inside to Jack Price, who crossed for a fifth try. This time Jonathan Rogers converted, bringing the score to 3- 33.

This resulted in more changes to the Otters team, with Joe Hutchings replacing Ollie Reyland and Jake Simm replacing Adam Clarke.

The final try came in the 70th minute when once again Lewys Gibby fed the ball to fullback Jake Jenkins, who sprinted clear to touch down for Jonathan Rogers to convert.

Prop Bradley Davies left the field with a leg injury and was replaced by Tom Slater as the only fit prop available on the touchline.

In the final minutes, Glynneath set up a series of attacks, but could not break down the Otters’ defence.

The game demonstrated how well the Otters have organised their defence. Glynneath never gave up and moved the ball at speed, but could not break them down.

It also showed the Otters’ supporters how well the youngsters have settled into the squad, showing much promise for the future, with Lewys Gibby, Gethin Gibby and Jake Jenkins all getting on the scoreboard.

Later head coach Sean Gale commented: “The game was a potential banana skin. At home, Glynneath are strong and are fighting for every point they need to remain in the Championship. The way we responded was excellent. There were four or five 18 to 19-year-olds in our squad and they all stood up to the mark.

“Not to concede a try was a big plus for our squad, but they did come hard at us, and our own execution of six tries was top drawer.

“There were some good individual performances. Lewys Gibby was good, Jack Price was excellent, Steffan Phillips at eight was very good and Liam Hutchings was man-of-the-match, having had a storming game. Dan Jacobs, Richard Rees with Alex Jenkins, Dan Smith, and Tom Slater added to the pack and overall it was a very pleasing situation.

“We have strength in depth, with two very good outside-halves. We went into the game without Nick Gale, Rhys Lane, Sean Jenkins and James Stephenson, who have all been established players this season, and went to Glynneath and put 40 points on them.

“All in all, the club is in a very good place at the moment, which has put us into second place. So it is in our hands to finish the season there, and we are now one of the top community clubs in Wales. We are proud of where we are and must not sit back on our laurels. It is an exciting time for the club and as coaches we intend to keep fighting hard to maintain our position and provide entertaining rugby for our supporters.”

.Narberth fielded: Jake Jenkins, Liam Hutchings Jack Price, Ollie Reyland (Joe Hutchings), Gethin Gibby, Ianto Griffiths (Jonathan Rogers), Lewys Gibby, Bradley Davies (Tom Slater), Dan Smith, Tom Slater (Dan Jacobs), Adam Clarke (Jake Simm), Alex Jenkins (Capt.), Pat Roberts, Steffan Phillips, Richard Rees.