Otters outstanding in first half (From Western Telegraph)

Otters outstanding in first half

Treorchy 12 Narberth 46

A superb first half saw Narberth rattle up 41 points without response against a bemused Treorchy side which was then doomed to suffer its third successive defeat as The Otters anticipated top spot after a third win on the trot.

Perhaps it was inevitable that Narberth took their feet off the gas after the break as Treorchy claimed 12 early points but Narberth had the final word when Chris MacDonald came on as replacement scrum half and sliced through from a scrum to set the seal on a marvellous start to the campaign.

Fly half Simon Daniel opened The Otters' account with an early penalty and then added another seven points with a try and conversion after a kick ahead by partner Ryan Williams.

Daniel then added the extras when powerful winger Daniel Gravell rounded off some good work by Simon Davies, Matthew Evans and especially No 8 Gareth Bennett - and The Otters were 24 points to the good in as many minutes when Nick Jones made the initial incision for hooker Craig Hawkins to crash over, Daniel again converting.

Jamie Bohata and Jason Jennings competed well, in the lineouts with support from Alan Phillips and Andrew Howell, Bohata gaining possession from a shortened line-out and sending the ubiquitous Bennett over for a try which Daniel failed to convert.

Bennett added his second try when he drove over near the posts and although Daniel missed the simple conversion he made amends with a superb kick after a Ryan Williams' break up the left had seen Bohata claim his third try in as many league matches.

Treorchy started the second half with greater purpose and scored tries by replacement flanker Mark Prosser and centre Gareth Lloyd, the first converted by Matthew Hitchings - but The Otters simply closed the gaps ands settled back into their pattern and wrapped things up with MacDonald's score that set the Narberth fans off on their journey home anticipating another home match this Saturday as they entertain Rumney.

Narberth: Adrian Killa: Daniel Gravell; Mike Jones (Andrew Bowen); Elgan Vittle; Nick Jones; Simon Daniel: Ryan Williams (Chris MacDonald): Andrew Howell; Craig Hawkins; Alan Phillips (Rob Jones): Jamie Bohata; Jason Jennings (Emori Katalau): Simon Davies (Akerei Malasala); Matthew Evans (Meurig Daniel); Gareth Bennett.