Otters just hold on (From Western Telegraph)

Otters just hold on

national league division one

Narberth 19 Beddau 15

Narberth completed their expected double over 12th-placed Beddau but were forced to hang on in the closing stages after the Mid Glamorgan outfit had grabbed two good tries in as many minutes to claw their way back from a 19-13 interval deficit to stand four points behind.

The Otters found it hard going in the final quarter after a bright start where they had used the wind to claim two converted tries - and added a third right on half time after Beddau had clawed back three points with a penalty from centre Rhys Jenkins.

Both teams could have scored in the opening minute as Beddau winger Gareth Hopkins almost went through and when the ball went to ground home full back Nick Jones hacked the ball 80 metres but was unable to pick up the loose ball with the line at his mercy.

But the Otters took the lead after eight minutes when centre Andrew Bowen bulldozed his way out of two tackles and found flanker Craig Hawkins at his shoulder to race over at the posts, Gareth James adding the extras.

They almost added another try from a superb move initiated by Andrew Jones and hooker-cum-flanker Hawkins was again at hand but was held up over the line.

But justice was done from the resulting scrum as No 8 Katilimoni Tuipulotu cleverly slipped a pass between his legs and scrum half Adrian Killa sniped through the gap for a try which James converted with a more difficult kick.

Beddau picked up Jenkins' three points from their first sustained period of pressure but again Andrew Jones' ability to ghost past markers set up the third Narberth try as Hawkins popped out of the ensuing maul and galloped 30 metres up the line, twisting out of the last tackle to crash over with two opponents clinging on to him.

Beddau served notice of their second-half intent with an early attack where Gareth Hopkins was held up in the corner, and it was some time before the Otters actually took play into Beddau's half.

But the move broke down and the Otters paid a heavy price as Beddau charged downfield and a delayed pass by pivot Owen Thomas allowed Rhys Jenkins to steam through the gap and score a quality try which he converted from in front of the posts.

The Otters suffered another set-back with 90 seconds as they lost the ball in midfield and quick hands by Gareth Jones, Owen Thomas and Steve Robinson allowed full back Garreg Jenkins to score a fine try which went unconverted.

This set-back stung Narberth into a response where Gareth James put a drop kick wide from in front of the posts and another Andrew Bowen burst looked promising until the ball was knocked on.

With five minutes left Beddau were awarded a simple penalty 20 metres out but winger Robinson hit the far post and the ball was scrambled clear, as it was just before the final whistle when No 9 Gareth Jones sniped for the line from a tap penalty but was held up in the left corner.

The final whistle saw the Otters achieve the double, having already won at Beddau by 17-10, but this was a less than convincing display from a Narberth side currently in third place as they allowed the opposition back into contention and almost paid the heavy price of a three-point loss.

Both teams observed a minute's silence before the match in memory of former Narberth player Wyndham Gwyther. The match sponsors were Celtic Inns and NASUWT/Unison, with the match balls sponsored by Pwll Trap Ladies and the Templeton Lads.