Championship:
Otters outgunned in North Wales
RGC 1404 56 - Narberth 14
RGC 1404 had already won 21-14 in a previous hard-fought tussle at The Lewis-Lloyd Groun
d but with home advantage at Eirias Park in Colwyn Bay they ran in eight tries to The Otters’ two scores to complete a deserved double.Yet Narberth had slightly the better of the opening 15 minutes but were unable to penetrate the well-organised home defence and the North Walians took the lead after 16 minutes when a clever long pass by outside half James Lang released flanker Andrew Williams on a run to the line before fullback Alex Schwarz added the extra points.
And that is the way the scoreline stayed until the closing seconds of the half, after Nick Gale and Schwarz had both missed penalties, and RGC added a second try, again converted by Schwarz after No 8 Zygimantas Radzius had rounded off a driving maul from a line-out.
Magic words from coach Phil Davies
Narberth hooker Marc Jones was yellow-carded at this time and whatever experienced head coach Phil Davies said at the break to the North Walians it certainly worked because they were soon 35 points to the good, thanks to further tries from Lang, who sped through from half way, Danny Cross and Lang again, all three converted by Schwarz before he was replaced by Cameron Davies.
Otters stage a mini revival
It is to Narberth’s credit that they managed to claim two tries in quick succession once they were again at full strength, with Adam Clark, Gareth Bateman and Pat Roberts catching the eye up front before centre Ollie Reyland won the race for a kick through and then winger Jordan Roberts raced over the line, both converted by Gale.
But RGC quickly resettled and grabbed tries from Radzius and then Tian Loots, both concerted by Davies, as was the final score of the match was owed much to the work-rate of Andy Baston before Sam Jones sped over for another try as the home side are in fifth place, just a point behind Bargoed in the race for the coveted fourth promotion place at the end of the campaign!
Narberth: Johnny Morgan: Nick Gale; Steve Martin; Ollie Reyland; Jordan Roberts: James Stephenson; Rhys lane: Ollie Evans; Marc Jones; James Kaijaks: Adam Clark; Alex Jenkins: Gareth Bateman (Capt); Pat Roberts; Lewis Wood. Replacements: Dan Jacobs; Dan Smith; Mauritz Neumann; Jonathan Rogers; Gareth Owens.
PHOTO:
Adam Clark - played well for Narberth
Division Three (West) A:
Cardis’ win puts pressure on The Blues
Cardigan 59 - Llangwm 0
Cardigan moved to within a point of Haverfordwest at the top of the section table as they ran in nine tries against a Llangwm side which never gave up trying in their final fixture of the season and although defeat meant the Wasps were unable to secure a single win they deserve every credit for not giving up in a very difficult season for the Wasps.Indeed, their spirit was perhaps best summed up by the fact that Richard Scriven, who has done so well as team manager, actually came on to play in the closing stages, assisted as usual by outstanding No 8 Ian Griffiths and by several Neyland players in permit, including their captain Andrew Slark.
Rhydian leads Teifisiders with try hat-trick
But this was always going to be Cardigan’s day as they followed up their resounding 61-10 success at Pill Parks with nine tries against the luckless Wasps, who played quite well in spurts but were always under the cosh as Cardigan’s greater experience told.
Leading the way for The Teifisiders was pacy winger Rhydian Jenkins, who added to his considerable try tally over the years with another hat-trick after No 8 Llyr Griffiths had got them off to a good start with two early tries from close range.
Rhydian Jenkins and strong-running centre Sion Hughes joined Griffiths to ensure a bonus point before the interval, whilst outside half Iestyn Crompton ensured a 28-0 lead with all four conversions.
No shortage of efforts from Wasps
Llangwm’s Rhys Mason and Steve Picton tried hard at half back, assisted by forwards Dan Chesmer, James Lewis and Gavin Jones, to keep the score down but the Teifisiders had further scores from full back Alun Jenkins, Rhydian Jenkins (2), flanker Kieran Hurley and winger Gruffydd Lewis, three of them converted by Crompton and now Cardigan to keep on winning big if they are to snatch the promotion place from Haverfordwest.
Cardigan: Alun Jenkins: Rhydian Jenkins; Sion Hughes; Emyr Harries; Gruffydd Lewis: Iestyn Crompton; Aaron Evans: Tomos Evans; Aled Phillips; Richard Jones: Rob Connolly; Trystan Lewis: Gethin Jones; Kieran Hurley; Llyr Griffiths. Replacements: Daniel Evans; Will Bryce; Ifan James; Josh Lloyd-Robey; Llyr Tobias.
Llangwm: Rhys Cooper: Dan Morgan; Andrew Slark; Lewis Murphy; James Ryan: Steve Picton; Rhys Mason: Gavin Jones: Craig Bennett; Johnny Phillips: Danny Chesmer; David Reynolds: James Lewis; Gareth Lawlor; Ian Griffiths. Replacements: Richard Scriven; Jack Davies; Aled Morgan; Nick Phillips. Skip Daley.