Five star Otters swamp Cynon (From Western Telegraph)

Five star Otters swamp Cynon

Narberth 85 Abercynon 7

Narberth showed just why they sit proudly atop Division Two as they produced a try spree against Abercynon that saw wingers John Whitticombe and Andrew Jones grab a try hat-trick apiece.

There were 14 scores in all for the vociferous Otters supporters to savour as they lead by 52 points at the break, and might have reached the three-figure mark had they not understandably turned off the gas a little with the game won.

There was an early scare for the Otters an hour before the start as young referee James Jones considered there was too much surface water on the Lewis Lloyd pitch - but some quick forking by Ken Mathias and Co saw the ground heavy but perfectly playable as the Otters scored straight from the kick off, survived a bright spell from Abercynon and then raced through for four tries in six minutes as adept handling and superb support play tore the Abercynon defence to shreds.

To be fair to the visitors, they never stopped trying to throw the ball about and in fly half Richard Tibbs and full back Gareth Evans they had players who could create a little space. Both featured early on, after the Otters had raced away with a fine try by Meurig Daniel, who had an outstanding game with his support play in the back row, crashing over at the posts from a tap penalty for Simon Daniel to convert - and late in the second period Evans dashed over for a consolation try which Tibbs converted.

Simon Daniel was off target with a penalty attempt from long-range after Alan Haines and Geraint Catherins went close for Abercynon - and the fly half missed a conversion after an Andrew Bowen thrust up the middle had allowed lock Emori Katelau to gallop to the posts.

But Daniel, who joined partner Chris MacDonald in releasing their marauding backs at every opportunity, was soon back on target with the conversion of the third Narberth try after a superb defensive catch by Whitticombe which allowed him to make the mark and transfer play to the right so that Rob Jones and Katelau could release centre Mike Jones for a debut try.

Then came that amazing six minute spell where the Otters attacked from deep positions and Whitticombes sleight of hand allowed Jason Jennings to charge up the flank before switching inside for Whitticombe to cross.

Then Aled Davies released Andrew Jones from the kick off and the winger followed brother Mike onto the scoresheet for Daniel to convert, as he did when Aled Davies sliced through on the left for the sixth Otter try.

There was no hiding place for Abercynon and splendid work by the ubiquitous Daniel, after Aled Davies had broken out of defence, allowed Katelau to gallop under the posts, although the second row fooled many in the crowd by slipping the ball back so that skipper Simon Davies could score. Simon Daniel converted and there was still time for another two points from the pivot as Whitticombe lurked with intent to take a pass from Mike Jones and Meurig Daniel and cross at the posts.

At 52-0 the match was over but Abercynon deserve credit for not trying to resort to any nonsense as Matthew Evans came on to make his debut instead of Simon Davies in the back row.

It took the Otters seven minutes to re-open their account as Mike Jones sliced through on a diagonal run, Daniel adding the extras as he did when Chris MacDonald started a move from which Whitticombe sped away for his third try.

Coach Keith Eaton put on Jamie Bohata and Puku Faletau for Katelau and Flattery, with Andrew Jones put away by brother Mike and doing well to reach the line after looking to be squeezed for space.

Andrew Jones scored his third try from a long release pass by Aled Davies, who switched to fly half instead of Simon Daniel so Wayne Jones could have a run at full back - and after Abercynons solitary reply Narberth had the final word when MacDonald sniped away on the blind side without a hand on him and Davies landed the touchline conversion.

Abercynon No 8 Ryan Lewis was yellow-carded late on, a pity in the context of the game - and veteran lock Alan Haines received a special gift from the Narberth club to mark his friendly relationship with the Otters over his 16 years with Abercynon. There was an article about him in the excellent programme - and he will remember this visit late in his career as the biggest hammering the Otters have dished out in their time in the National Leagues.