PHOTO:
Adam Clarke leads the Narberth defence
Friendly Rugby:
Narberth 47 - Newcastle Emlyn 20
Narberth and Newcastle Emlyn provided running rugby aplenty in their floodlit friendly at the Lewis Lloyd Ground before the Otters’ greater strength up front and experience behind paid dividends as they ran in seven tries to Emlyn’s three.
Narberth were good value for a 21-0 interval lead as Adam Clarke, Tom Slater and Tom banister featured in the ball-winning stakes and prop Oliver Evans showed good mobility to open the scoring wide out before left wing Johnny Morgan added two tries, the first after quick hands in midfield by James Griffiths and Steve Martin, the second from three little kicks ahead to the posts, with all three tries converted by full back Nick Gale.
Otters’ forward power shows
The Otters’ forward power was in evidence straight after the interval as Dan Smith rounded off a 20-metre drive to the line with an unconverted try – but the Emlyn pack showed their gritty qualities with a sustained period of pressure in the clubhouse corner from which flanker Gareth Patterson was credited with an unconverted try before Rhydian Harries notched a penalty.
Back came Narberth as Timoci Kaumaitotoya went close on a 30-metre charge but then rounded off another forward surge before Gale added the extras, as he did when a James Griffiths’ burst created a try for Rhys Lane before another powerful thrust by the home eight created a deserved close-range try which Griffiths converted.
Emlyn show real durability
It says much for Emlyn’s durability that they refused to throw in the towel and they were rewarded with very good late tries from Rhydian Harries, which he also converted, and Alex Williams, an effort which will have pleased director of coaching Marc Lloyd.
His opposite number Jonathan Dodd was also more than satisfied with this good work out where he was able to assess the contribution of fringe players alongside his regular squad, and it was a pity that there weren’t more supporters there to enjoy it!
Narberth: Nick Gale: James Russell; Steve Martin; Richard Davies; Johnny Morgan: James Griffiths; Adrian Killa: Oliver Evans; Sion Lloyd; Tom Slater: Adam Clarke; Tom Bannister: Timoci Kaumaitotoya; Simon Griffiths; Steffan Phillips. Replacements: Simon Gardiner; Dylan Richards; Dan Smith; Ashley Sutton; Ianto Griffiths; Aled Jones; Jason Howells; Rhys Lane.
Newcastle Emlyn: Sion Leonard: Llyr Jones; Owen James; Alun Howells; Aled Jones: Rhydian Harries; Matthew Evans: David Jones; Alex Williams; James Price: Daniel Harvard; Gethin Greaves: Gareth Patterson; Gareth Thompson; Chris Marks. Replacements: Mike Jones; Alex Davies; Emrys Davies; Gethin Davies; Arwel Davies; Bedwyr Davies; Teifion Davies; Daniel Davies.
Referee: Jason Ludgate.