VETERAN hooker Dan Smith had to do it the hard way, but got there in the end.
Despite the surprise 15-21 loss to Ystrad Rhondda at the weekend, and the torrid conditions, Smith walked off the park with his head held high having done what he’s done for Narberth for the previous 299 games.
Smith was replaced by Rhodri Owens after 52 minutes, before celebrating 300 games for the Otters.
The 40-year-old hooker says it doesn’t get any easier, but he still loves getting out there and doing it for the lads.
“There is no secret, it is just knuckle down and get on with it," he said. “I am still doing it, training four times a week, but it is getting harder as I get older.
“I always want to give the best for the boys, that is the best thing because it is such a good club.
"I want to do it for each and everyone of them that is the big thing, playing for the players and supporters.
“Narb are a good club, always have been and always will be.”
Smith was born in Mynydd-y-Garreg, Kidwelly, and played for Llanelli Youth and a season with Llanelli First XV while first choice hooker Robyn McBryde was on Lions duty.
Then Smith went to Carmarthen Quins for four seasons, before returning to Llanelli for a season and then being picked up by Sean Gale at Narberth.
One thing Gale mentioned about Smith was that he never goes off injured, and there was substance in that observation.
Smith has missed only one league game in 11 seasons, however one of the injuries – a collapsed lung – resulted in a lengthy four-month spell on the sideline between 2018/19.
“One thing with Dan is he never went off injured,” said Gale. “He always played the 80 minutes.”
Smith was Gale’s first signing at the club, and the coach said he doesn’t regret one bit convincing Dan to come across.
“It’s about Dan today and to play 300 games is a special occasion," said Gale. "He is a great guy, he plays with his heart on his sleeve and he has had a fantastic time playing for Narb.
“He brings leadership, he’s ethos, he never misses a training session, he leads from the front and everybody respects him.
“He has been a fantastic servant and hopefully he will not finish yet.”
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