Pooler coach left fuming as Otters steal the show (From Western Telegraph)

Pooler coach left fuming as Otters steal the show

Narberth 27 Pontypool 13

Narberth produced a super display to deservedly beat high-riding Pontypool at the Lewis Lloyd Ground, a big crowd basking in the sun as The Otters drew the Pooler sting in a tight first half which ended with the score at 6-6.

They then took control after the break with a display that delighted coach Keith Eaton and had opposite number Steve Jones fuming at the inept display of his pack against a Narberth eight which dominated the scrums and were always quicker to the loose ball as Matthew Evans had an outstanding match, closely followed by Jason Jennings, Gareth Bennett and Meurig Daniel.

Pontypool fly half Byron Hayward had been knocked out in the Welsh Amateur Boxing Championships at Aberavon the previous evening but he seemed to be fine as he put his side ahead after only five minutes with a simple penalty before opposite number Simon Daniel was off-target with a much longer attempt.

The Otters came close to grabbing a push-over try as Puku Faletau, Simon Delaney and Andrew Howell took charge but Daniel levelled matters from the resulting penalty.

Joe Powell almost put Pooler back in front after a strong surge by the flanker but he was felled by a superb Matthew Evans tackle - although Hayward slotted his second penalty soon afterwards.

Narberth kept plugging away, though, and right on the break levelled matters with another Daniel penalty after Pontypool captain Mark Jones had been yellow-carded for blocking the ball.

Jones' absence at the start of the second period because whilst Pooler were down to 14 men there were three tries, two of them for the Otters. Mike Jones gave them the lead after a neat break by co-centre Elgan Vittle, Daniel converting, only for Pontypool to reply immediately with an excellent solo try from flanker Richard Field which Hayward goaled to make it 13-all . Narberth regained the initiative within three minutes when Adrian Killa sniped through after good work by Nick Jones, with Daniel again adding the extra points.

This score seemed to knock the stuffing out of the league leaders and with Hayward substituted they were always on the back foot as Narberth played some cracking rugby - and were rewarded again when prop Andrew Howell ignored an overlap, brushed off an opponent and raced over for another quality try which Daniel inevitably converted.

Pontypool tried hard to claw their way back but Narberth showed total commitment to the cause - and even the most ardent of the vociferous Pontypool supporters would have to say that on the day they were a well-beaten side as Narberth showed their capabilities with a little sun on their backs!

Narberth: Nick Jones: Daniel Gravell; Elgan Vittle; Mike Jones; Andrew Jones: Simon Daniel; Adrian Killa: Fifitapuku Faletau (Alan Phillips); Simon Delaney (Craig Hawkins); Andrew Howell: Emori Katalau; Jason Jennings: Meurig Daniel; Matthew Evans; Gareth Bennett. Replacements: Dai Ebsworth; Mark David; Simon Davies; Chris MacDonald; Gareth James.