Otters maintain their winning streak (From Western Telegraph)

Otters maintain their winning streak

Pencoed 12 Narberth 39

Narberth gained their 12th win in 14 league outings as they made the journey up the M4 and came back from Pencoed with another three points that keep them at the top of Division Two.

They eventually ran out victors by a 27-point margin against a side which never stopped running or tackling, but The Otters were only 15-9 ahead until the last minute of the first half, when they scored a second try to put some distance between the teams - and added further good scores after the break as acting captain Andrew Bowen showed the way in the centre and flanker Meurig Daniel and hooker Simon Delaney received a run out to show what a valuable contribution both can make to the squad.

Of particular concern to the Narberth faithful who made the trip to the Bridgend area was the number of penalties conceded by their side which allowed home fly half Mark Davies to land three successful first half kicks and another soon after the break as reward for an enterprising half back partnership with Owain Price.

The Otters had taken the early lead with a penalty from in-form pivot Simon Daniel but Davies levelled matters after missing a longer kick just before - and Daniel snatched at his second penalty chance before slotting the conversion of Narberths first try, when Andrew Bowen burst out of his own 22 and made ground before setting up good ruck ball which allowed Lloyd Thomas and Daniel to set pacy winger John Whitticombe on a 15-metre race to the posts.

This score seemed to inspire the Otters and the combination of Thomas and Bowen set Andrew Thomas on a run to the flag, the winger doing really well to beat off two defenders in reaching the line right in the corner. Daniels conversion attempt hit the post and Pencoed showed their grit as they fought back with two further penalties by Mark Davies.

But the Otters had the final word of the period as they added a further seven points right on the break, Whitticombe running an attempted clearance back and doing well to set up the platform from which play was spread left.

Narberth were illegally halted but a quick tap penalty by Alan Reynolds allowed Andrew Bowen to take out the opposition for a try at the posts which Daniel goaled easily.

But the Otters were unable to raise the tempo at the start of the second half and Davies notched his fourth penalty from 30 metres.

This reverse seemed to sting Narberth into increased activity and when Pencoeds Davies tried to break the deadlock his pass went to ground and Andrew Bowen was on hand as usual to send Simon Delaney in for a try which the outside half Daniel converted.

It was at this stage that the Otters brought on Chris MacDonald at scrum half and Chris Flattery at prop and after Davies was off target with a home penalty the Otters took charge as Aled Davies threatened from a clever diagonal run, only to be caught by the last line of defence. But the Otters continued to hold the edge and Daniel slotted another penalty to make the game safe.

Chris MacDonald thought he had scored after a typically robust touch-line dash but he was recalled for a foot in touch - but it was appropriate that the high-flying Otters should have the final word as Daniel received the ball from a set-piece, fooled the opposition with a double dummy and sliced through to the posts for a try which he again converted to round off another good day for the Otters, who now travel again this Saturday as they take on First Division side Cross Keys in the Principality Welsh Cup.

Narberth: Wayne Jones: Andrew Jones; Aled Davies; Andrew Bowen (Captain); John Whitticombe: Simon Daniel; Lloyd Thomas (Chris MacDonald - 60 mins): Puku Faletau (Chris Flattery - 60 mins); Simon Delaney; Rob Jones: Emori Kaletau; Jamie Bohata: Alan Reynolds (Jason Jennings - 69 mins); Meurig Daniel; Gareth Bennett.