Narberth RFC celebrated 140 years of existence with their annual a dinner at the Meadow House Caravan Park at Wiseman’s Bridge, where 120 guests celebrated another excellent campaign in the Championship Division where The Otters finished off in a creditable fifth place as they played against the likes of Pontypool, Neath, Bridgend, Cross Keys, Ystrad Rhondda and Bedwas.
And someone who had cause to celebrate their success was scrum half Lewys Gibbs, who had already received recognition with the supporters’ award and on their night scooped all four of the club’s major awards in recognition of his outstanding season - something that has surely never been achieved before!
Coaches Award presented by Sean Gale . . .
First up was the Coaches’ Award, decided by Sean Gale and his assistants, and in his last act before moving off after 18 years Sean announced their decision - and it was Gibby who was the deserved winner in his second stint at the club after playing all his junior and youth rugby with Pembroke before trying his luck with The Otters and then returning to Crickmarren - but deciding to come back this season and playing out of his skin as well as being a great example to others with his commitment on the field and off it.
. . . And ‘Players Player’ quickly followed
This was followed by the ‘Players’ Player’ award and other candidates must have been back rower Roy Osborn, second row Alex Jenkins, skipper Tom Powell and full back Nick Gale, to name just a few.
But Gibby not only showed his high skill levels in the No 9 shirt but also demonstrated his versatility by switching to the wing when the occasion demanded and scoring several tries - but also showing his creative skills and pace in several tough tussles, not least in the final match of the season, at home to Trebanos, where he played wide out in the closing quarter and set up chances that produced tries for Nick Gale and Caine Rees-Jones with half breaks to commit the opposition and then produce clever back-of-the hand flicks to put his team mates in.
It was appropriate that he received this award from Colin Phillips, who was himself a star player in his younger days and is now a highly regarded rugby referee!
Lewis lands a hat-trick with ‘Man of the Match awards – and made it four with ‘Most Tries’
In every game a ‘Man of the Match’ was chosen by the day’s sponsors and Gibby won comfortably the most in recognition of his ability to maintain a high level of performance that earned him this deserved reward for consistency - and again he was able to stand up and receive this coveted recognition from Mark Rhys-Owen, the club’s hon secretary..
And finally, the 26 year old made it a fantastic four-timer as he collected to trophy for scoring the most tries in league games. Gibby was very adept at breaking quickly from the base of the scrum and opposing back rows found it difficult to contain his darts for the line, where he showed surprising strength and dogged determination on 18 occasions as he crossed the whitewash.
Again Gibby gathered the silverware and seem embarrassed as it was presented by popular club chairman Rob ‘Basher’ Lewis - but there is no doubt that his play this campaign has seen him a player identified by opposing players as the Otter to try and contain!
