THE local rugby season culminates this Friday with the Pembrokeshire KO Cup final at Bierspool, Pembroke Dock RFC.

On paper, it appears one sided, with Championship side Narberth facing a Haverfordwest team that has been relegated from Division Two West this season.

In one sense, the Otters go into Friday in a no-win situation. From the moment they signalled their intention to re-enter the cup this season, they have been tagged as overwhelming favourites to recapture the trophy they last won in 2007/2008.

And although their route to the final has not been all straightforward, having to overcome dogged efforts from Crymych and Whitland, you’d be hard pushed to find a pundit not backing them to win Friday.

That may work in the Blues favour. After a difficult campaign, they can throw caution to the wind without any real expectation on them.

But I don’t buy into the theory they have nothing to lose. They are playing the best our county has to offer in front of large crowd – both individually and collectively, I have no doubt they will determined to perform.

It will also be the last match in charge for head coach Barry John – who oversaw their last KO Cup success in 2012/2013, and the final game for stalwarts Steve Williams and Gareth Green.

The desire to send the trio off on a high, should automatically give skipper Darren Salmon a team talk.

The coaching staff...

Narberth: Jonathan Dodd (director of rugby); Sean Gale (forwards coach); Roger Davies (backs coach); Sean Lloyd (team manager).
Haverfordwest: Barry John (head coach); Simon LePetit and Steve Barnett (assistant coaches); Dan John (team manager).

The form guide...

Narberth ended the Championship season with a good win at Llanharan, which made amends for a lacklustre defeat at Bridgend Athletic the previous weekend.

But four losses in their final six games saw them finish sixth, after they seemed set to challenge for a top three place in the first half of the season.

Frustratingly for the Otters, their form on the road has hampered them.

When at their best, they have been as strong as anyone in the division, registering wins over three of the top four, and pushing runaway leaders Bargoed close both home and away.

But only three of their 15 wins came away from the Lewis Lloyd Memorial Ground, and while sixth place in a tough Championship League is not to be scoffed at, their final position could have been higher.

For Haverfordwest, the season was summed up by their final day home defeat against Hendy, a fourth loss in five games.

The Blues notched two losing bonus points, as they went down 29-27.

It was the sixth time during the 2014/2015 campaign that they lost after finishing within seven points of the opposition, and also drew with Penlan at home.

In the end, it was a lack of a winning edge, plus the struggle to field a consistent side, that ultimately saw them relegated.

In terms of game time for both sides, the run up to Friday has been contrasting - Narberth only finished their league season on May 9, while the Blues last played on April 18.

Opinion will be split as to who that benefits most.

Key players ...

The Blues will be all too aware of the ball carrying ability of former players Adam Clark, Ollie Evans, and Lewis Wood in the Narberth pack - while Otters flanker Stuart Worrall has the potential to be a major influence.

Worrall’s tackling, work at the breakdown, and support play is superb - and Jon Mason, likely to be his opposite number on Friday, will have to be at his best to combat him.

For Haverfordwest, the experience and ability of No 10 Steve Williams will be critical if they are to exert any kind of authority.

They will need to be solid at the set piece, and having old heads Gareth Green, Neil Phillips, and namesake Gareth in the front five will help that - while full back  Scott James has the potential to wreak havoc with ball in hand if given the space.

But for me, the key man will be Narberth skipper and centre Steve Martin, who has the ability to strike and create tries from anywhere.

At worst, Martin is a handful. At best, he is phenomenal - and if he’s not shackled, game over.

Those missing...

The Otters go into the final off the back of a mini injury crisis – with Jonathan Dodd admitting last week he has doubts over the fitness of 11 players.

But the only player ruled out for definite is suspended full back Johnny Morgan, who was dubiously red carded after the final whistle in Narberth’s home defeat to Cardiff Met on April 11.

The news is a blow for Narberth, as the loss of Morgan also represents the loss of one of their most dangerous attacking weapons.

The Blues have no fresh injury worries but are also missing a big player.

No 8 Dewi Williams, outstanding this season, is currently away and will not be available Friday.

Views from within...

Jonathan Dodd (Narberth): “It has been a long season for us and we are prepared for a tough game on Friday.
“Both Crymych and Whitland gave us really hard games in previous rounds and we know if we don’t perform, then this is a game we could lose.
“But for us it is a chance to end the season with silverware. We will be ready and we want to enjoy it.”
Barry John (Haverfordwest): “We feel no pressure.
“All the players and coaches are really looking forward to playing in a cup final and challenging a Championship side.
“We are aware Narberth are clear favourites and we are underdogs which has helped motivate the players in our preparations.
“Only five remain from the cup winning team of two years ago, so it will be a new experience for the majority of our young squad.”

Fraser’s forecast...

In all honesty, when the finalists were first confirmed, I tipped Narberth by a massive margin.

But whilst I still can’t see past the Otters, I’m no longer envisaging a landslide.

Man for man, they are much stronger than the Blues, but have injury concerns and the loss of Morgan is a blow.

Of course, it will take a huge collective effort from Haverfordwest to upset the odds, but as generic as it sounds, they will have to raise their game, and stand toe to toe with Narberth in the physical exchanges.

If they do that, and stay in the game until the second half, the overwhelming favourites may just get edgy. And if the do, Haverfordwest will have to capatalise.

I'll still say Narberth by 15-20 points, but only after a much harder fight than many are predicting.

 

The final is this Friday, May 15, at Bierspool, Pembroke Dock RFC, with kick off at 6.45pm.
Justin Williams is the referee, with Adrian Slade and Alwyn Harries assistants. John Griffiths will be the fourth official.
Entry is £4 for adults, £3 for children, and free for under 16s.
The cup has again been organised this year by the Pembroke and District Rugby Union, with JT Auto Services and HNO Hughes and Associates as sponsors.