Glynneath 3 pts. Narberth 40

Narberth travelled to Glynneath on Saturday with several changes to the squad, enabling youngsters to gain exposure and experience of the Championship League.

The changes saw Gethin Gibby replacing the injured Nick Gale on the right wing, Jake Jenkins coming in at fullback and Lewys Gibby taking 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, after a sustained period of pressure, that they gained a kickable penalty in front of the posts, which fly-half Dylan Francis landed with ease on 16 minutes, bringing the score back to 7-3.

The Otters’ defence easily quelled the Glynneath attacks, despite their attempts to change the direction of play many times.

Gradually, the Otters began to gain more of the ball, while whenever Glynneath gained possession, they again resorted to their kicking game.

This period, where defences remained strong, was broken on 29 minutes by an excellent piece of individual play by Narberth scrum-half Lewys Gibby. Collecting the ball just inside the Glynneath half, he jinked and feinted 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 Narberth pressing the Glynneath defence, but the score remained at 12-3 to the visitors.

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

However, on 52 minutes, the Otters, moving from halfway, set up yet another attack, flanker Richard Rees making many yards, before Bradley Davies took over and, when brought to ground, the ball was passed to Lewys Gibby, who released Ollie Reyland and he in his forceful way made many metres. He reached the posts, managing to dive through the defenders to touch the right upright 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 touch down. Again Ianto Griffiths converted.

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 and Jonathan Rogers quickly picked up the ball. Starting the move of yet another try, he passed to inside centre Ollie Reyland, who moving forward passed on to Liam Hutchings who raced forward, before passing inside to Jack Price, who crossed the line for a fifth try.

This time Jonathan Rogers converted to make the score 33-3 in Narberth’s favour.

This was followed by more replacements in the Otters’ ranks, with Joe Hutchings replacing Ollie Reyland and Jake Simm replacing Adam Clarke.

Then 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. With Jonathan Rogers again adding the extras it brought the score to 40-3.,

Prop Bradley Davies then had to leave the field with a leg injury and was replaced by Tom Slater, 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 ending with the ball going into touch.

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 through.

The game also showed 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 that 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,” he said. “The way we responded was excellent. There were four or five 18 to 19-year-olds in our squad, but they all stood up to the mark.

“Not to concede a try was also a big plus for our squad, particularly as Glynneath did come at us hard. Our own execution of six tries was also 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 now in our hands to finish the season in second place 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.”

.There is no game tomorrow (Saturday) due to the final day of the Six Nations, but supporters can watch Wales play France in Paris via the big screen in the clubhouse.

The next home game is on Saturday, March 25, when Dunvant are the visitors, kick-off at 2.30 pm.

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.