Otters strong in purple patch (From Western Telegraph)

Otters strong in purple patch

Llantrisant 24 Narberth 50

A purple patch in the second half saw Narberth score 17 points in ten minutes to give them an unassailable lead against old rivals Llantrisant - and another excellent away win which seals a deserved promotion.

But the victory wasnt without problems because key lock Emori Katelau sustained a nasty shoulder injury to join a growing injury list - although the consolation for the Otters is that they have strength in depth in Keith Eatons squad, as was shown in this tussle where Anthony Griffiths had a place on the subs bench and played well.

There was action aplenty at the start as Simon Daniel kicked a penalty for Narberth, but straight from the kick-off Llantrisant replied with outside half Jason Alford taking a quick tap penalty and racing to the corner for an opportunist try which he also converted.

Simon Daniel reduced the deficit with his second penalty but then Katelau was bundled into a pylon abutting the pitch after he had left a kick-off sail into touch. He left in a great deal of pain and after a long delay the Otters scored their first try as Daniel hoofed a penalty into the corner from which Jamie Bohata won ball that allowed Andrew Bowen to charge down the middle and put prop Puku Faletau charging over like an enraged rhino to the posts, Daniel adding the extras.

But then Alford intervened with his second solo try from an up and under, his conversion nudging Llantrisant a point ahead.

Daniel missed a penalty for Narberth and in a period of Llantrisant pressure there was some excellent covering by new recruit Matthew Evans, alongside Alan Reynolds and Gareth Bennett so that Daniel had another chance of a penalty which he gratefully accepted.

But Llantrisant had the final word of a competitive first half as they ran several tap penalties and busy scrum half Ian Worgan sliced through on the blind side to score an unconverted try and put his side 19-16 ahead.

Rob Jones scored an early try for Narberth and although Simon Daniel missed the simple conversion he made amends with a superb break that sent Andrew Jones in for a try which Daniel goaled, as he did when Andrew Bowen created the space with a typical charge to send Bennett over the line. Daniel also claimed a try and suddenly the Otters were 38-19 in front.

Llantrisant responded with a try by winger Mark Collier but Narberth had the final say with good tries by Andrew Jones and John Whitticombe, one of which was converted by Daniel.

Narberth: Wayne Jones: Andrew Jones; Andrew Bowen; Elgan Vittle; John Whitticombe: Simon Daniel; Chris MacDonald: Fifitapuku Faletau; Simon Delaney; Rob Jones: Emori Katelau: Jamie Bohata: Alan Reynolds; Matthew Evans; Gareth Bennett. Replacements: Ryan Williams; Alan Phillips, Anthony Griffiths.