Superb Otters gain vital success (From Western Telegraph)

Superb Otters gain vital success

Narberth 29 Beddau 7

Narberth showed just what a good side they have developed into as they eventually proved too strong for a very good Beddau side which arrived at the Lewis Lloyd Ground determined to overturn a 11-10 defeat they had suffered at home against the Otters.

A win for the Mid Glamorgan side would also have put them in with a chance of eventual top spot since they had only lost one game more than the Otters but had several games in hand in fifth place.

But this Narberth side under Keith Eaton, has developed the ability to play in rough weather, as they did here despite losing replacement hooker Kevin Davies in the pre-match warm-up where it was initially thought he might have broken his ankle.

They played really well to take a 12-point lead into half time, despite playing into the teeth of the wind. The back row of Simon Davies, Alan Reynolds and Gareth Bennett was everywhere in support play, as were hooker Simon Delaney and second row Emori Katelau, while Jason Jennings again acted as an extra flanker with props Alan Phillips and Puku Faletau involved from the start so that Chris MacDonald and Simon Rogers had ball aplenty to keep things under control.

Delaney was the eventual choice as man of the match although he was pushed all the way by Katelau since both scored tries and were involved in the loss, with Katelau again a veritable giant in the key lineout area as he cleaned out the opposition, especially in that first half where ball retention was so vital.

Leading the way in charges down the middle was Andrew Bowen while co-centre Tevita Manaseitava tidied things up and helped full back Aled Davies try to set wingers John Whitticombe and Andrew Jones on runs.

It was Jones who opened the Narberth account with a breath-taking try after 15 minutes when Puku Faletau made the initial platform at a ruck deep in his own 22 before play was spread left by MacDonald so that Aled Davies could create space for Bennett with a cracking pass that allowed the No 8 to make a half break and set Jones away on a run. The diminutive winger still had lots to do but he beat his marker, cut back inside to fool the cover defence and sped 60 metres for a try which would have graced any game at any level, Daniel adding the extra points.

But it might heave been a different story because Beddau started like rockets and might heave been 13 points ahead after only five minutes - centre David Harries hitting the post with a penalty and then missing an easier chance before full back Stephen Robinson delayed a pass after a good run to the line and it was knocked on by winger Chris Jones.

Narberth played really well after Andrew Jones had opened their account and had other chances through MacDonald, Puku Faletau, Phillips and Manaseitava, who knocked on under the posts with the line at his mercy.

But the Otters pressure finally paid off with a series of rucks in the clubhouse corner, when lock Emori Katelau plunged over the top and touched down in the athletic style that would have graced a Superbowl American Footballer!

At the interval it seemed that the Otters had done the most important work and they maintained their momentum when Daniel scored a try after only five minutes of the second half, taking the ball from a ruck on the left and brushing off his marker to score at the posts, adding his conversion as a bonus.

Then Alan Phillips set up the chance of a fourth try with Chris MacDonald, who sped up the right touchline and cleverly slipped the ball inside for the lurking Delaney to cross for a corner try which Daniel did really well to convert.

Perhaps it was inevitable that the Otters should become a little complacent but they gifted Beddau a try to replacement Robert Downes, converted by Harries, and Beddau showed what they could do as coach Chris Bridges came on to inspire several strong counter-attacks late on. But Narberth were equal to the task and they now travel for another real tester this Saturday as they play Tredegar at 12 noon.

It is another six-pointer in every sense of the word and coach Eaton will be looking for the same commitment showed by his side in the first 70 minutes of this match, when they really showed what a fine side they are.