PHOTOS:
Adam Clark moves in for another big hit
Narberth stay strong in the tackle
Carl Meyer on a run for Ebbw Vale
Another huge hit by the Otters pack

‘Amazing’ Otters lower champions Ebbw’s flag

Narberth 29 - Ebbw Vale 10

 

Narberth reserved their best performance of the season for this final fixture as they took on and deservedly beat the section’s runaway leaders Ebbw Vale.
 
The Gwent side arrived at the Lewis Lloyd Ground with a record of 25 wins from 25 matches and a lead of 40 points over runners-up RGC 1404, with a large crowd of supporters ready to celebrate a 100% record for the campaign – but the Otters raised their game significantly and as one long-time supporter said afterwards, they were quite amazing!
 

 

Great platform for victory

 
The platform for victory came during the first half when Narberth played onto a strong wind but defended superbly as well as scoring two quality tries, with man of the match Dylan Richards closely followed by Adam Clark, Alex Jenkins, Gareth Bateman and Stuart Worrall in vying for the award. Sean Lloyd, Dan Smith and Tom Slater battled really well in the set-pieces and the entire back division covered really well.
 
Ebbw had plenty of possession in the home 22 but it took them until the final minute of the first half before winger Luke Davies scored in the corner No 10 Iain Smerdon slotted the touchline conversion to go with an earlier penalty.
 

Otters scoring as reward for quality rugby in defence and attack

 
But by then the Otters had scored 15 points as they opened their account with a wide-angled penalty from Ianto Griffiths, followed by a cracking unconverted try by hooker Dan Smith after the mighty Adam Clark, Richards, Richard Davies and Steve Martin had set the platform.
 
After Smerdon had landed his first three points to haul Ebbw back into the game the Otters bounced back straight away after Ashley Sutton had defended well and Steve Martin’s scything break had put Rhys Lane over in the corner. It was quality stuff and Ianto Griffiths added the extra points, via the far upright with a terrific conversion.
 

Great start to second half

 
The Otters made just the start to the second half that they wanted as Nick Gale scored a good try in the right corner and although Griffiths was unable to convert he landed three penalties as the only other scores in a half which again belonged to the Otters, cheered on by a delighted support from their section of a good crowd.
 
It meant that Narberth were worthy winners, a fact which even the most biased Ebbw Vale fan (and there were a few of those!) would have to say their side deserved to be second best to a splendid performance from the entire Narberth squad that must have delighted their management team of Jonathan Dodd and Sean Gale.
 
Narberth:  Ashley Sutton: Nick Gale; Richard Davies; Steve Martin; Jason Howells:  Ianto Griffiths; Rhys Lane: Sean Lloyd; Dan Smith; Tom Slater: Adam Clark; Alex Jenkins: Dylan Richards; Stuart Worrall; Gareth Bateman. Replacements: Simon Gardner; Timoci Kaumaitotoya; Ollie Evans; James Russell.

Ebbw Vale: Tom Watkins Wes Cunliffe; Dai James; Carl Meyer; Luke Davies: Iain Smerdon; Chris Thomas: Ross Jones; Matthew Williams; Rob Sevenoaks: Damien Hudd (Capt); Daniel Lewis: Gareth Rusby-Davies; Ronnie Kynes; Cameron Regan.
Replacements: Jonny Bowen; Dan Haymond, Spencer Gibson; John Lavender; Jordan Howells.

Referee: Justin Williams.
 

Division Five (West):

 

Quins finish with a heavy defeat

Pontyates 61 - Pembroke Dock Harlequins 17

 
Pembroke Dock Harlequins rounded off a long season in disappointing fashion as they lost heavily at Pontyates.
The Quins were already 25-10 down at the interval and could only muster a converted try in the second period as Pontyates piled on another 36 points.

Craig Bennett (playing on permit from Haverfordwest) and Paul Jonkers scored the Quins tries, whilst Tom Richards, home for a break from his fishing in the North Sea, slotted both conversions and a penalty.

For the home side there were tries by hooker Rhys Lewis, full back Gareth Williams (3), winger Nick Lewis, scrum half Rob Jones, No 8 Steve George, flanker Jamie Cooper and No 10 Kieran Evans, who also contributed four conversions and a penalty, no mean feat in the very windy conditions!