Narberth RFC have for the second consecutive season ended up as second only to the mighty Pontypool who are run as a professional club in the Championship League. This places Narberth RFC as one of the top 20 clubs in Wales, so this is a great achievement for Pembrokeshire rugby.

Further evidence of the interest in the club was evident last Thursday evening, as spread amongst a reasonable crowd of home supporters were Anthony Buchanan of the WRU and Scarlets, Gareth Jenkins, development officer at the Scarlets, Stuart Evans, of Ospreys and Neath, and Kevin Phillips (former Wales international). Clearly they were all on a scouting mission!

The fixture was rearranged when Skewen indicated they could not field a team on Saturday, May 5. Results that day determined that Skewen were relegated and will play in Division One next season.

Before the kick-off, inside centre Paul Davies injured himself and had to withdraw. Wing Keiron Griffiths moved into his normal centre position, with Gethin Gibby taking the wing position.

Skewen made 10 changes to the team published in the programme.

The sun was shining and the pitch looked in good condition when Nick Gale led out the team, celebrating his 100th league game with Narberth RFC. Before the match, Nick had scored 577 points for the club, which included 43 tries.

Skewen kicked off into the evening sun and within minutes they were penalised enabling Ianto Griffiths, playing fly-half, to kick long into touch. From the lineout, the Otters set up a driving maul before it collapsed. The referee awarded a scrum which was reset three times before the ball was released. The Otters heeled and Lewys Gibby fed to Ianto Griffiths, he bypassed the inside centre, with his pass releasing Keiron Jones to score the first try, with Ianto Griffiths converting.

Skewen responded and made progress, but offended at the breakdown. The Otters kicked tactically towards the corner and from the lineout Alex Jenkins set up a rolling maul. The pack advanced forwards before the ball was released and from the back row, flanker Tom Powell moved forward towards the far corner and, using his full length of six-foot-plus, was able to stretch over the line for an unconverted try.

The Otters at the restart immediately went on the attack and during the following period set up a really effective threequarter movement, only to falter at a breakdown.

Skewen then lost the heel at the subsequent scrum. Gaining possession, the ball was quickly spun out by Lewys Gibby to Ianto Griffiths, who, seeing a gap, sped clear of the defenders to score under the posts, making his conversion a simple task.

With score at 19-0, centre Keiron Jones limped off. The backline was then reorganised, with Jonathan Rogers coming off the subs bench. He took the fly-half position, Ianto Griffiths moved to outside centre and Keiron Griffith to inside centre.

Again from the restart, Skewen attacked and made some progress until they offended at the ruck. The Otters took a quick penalty and Steffan Phillips gained many metres before a knock-on. From the scrum inside the Skewen 22, the back row moved forward with a series of rucks, before Lewys Gibby made ground and passed to Steffan Phillips, who raced over the line to score a bonus point try, which Ianto Griffiths again converted.

Skewen made a determined effort and were able to progress to just outside the five-metre line by the clubhouse. Once again they were penalised at the breakdown, enabling Jonathan Rogers to put in a clearing kick.

From a successful lineout, the Otters set up a perfect attack, only to be pulled back for a forward pass when Nick Gale appeared to have a clear sprint to the line.

A lineout just inside the Skewen half was won by them. They advanced across field, but were forced into touch on the far side.

A Skewen indiscretion led to Jonathan Rogers taking a quick penalt. Moving forward, he fed Steffan Phillips, who put wing Gethin Gibby clear to sprint down the touchline, crossing in the corner for an unconverted try.

A few minutes later, the referee blew for half-time with the Otters leading 31-0.

With five tries to nil, the Otters looked in control, though Skewen kept up their determination but were undone with their errors at the rucks.

A competitive second half saw Skewen prop Steffan Bond withdrawn with a leg injury. Otters supporters were surprised when his replacement Sam Collins was also a prop, having expected to find uncontested scrums being necessary. However, the scrums remained competitive.

Skewen entered into the spirit of open rugby, but errors continued to be part of their downfall.

The Otters changed their front row, with Tom Kaijaks replacing Tom Slater and Rhodri Owen replacing Dan Smith.

At this time, frustrated Skewen centre Kevin James was sent to the sin bin for offensive language aimed at the referee.

This loss led to the Otters’ next try on 57 minutes when they scored through Keiron Griffiths. From a penalty, the Otters moved upfield, with scrum-half Lewys Gibby very much involved, followed by Tom Kajaks and then James Stephenson, before Jonathan Rogers threw a long pass to Keiran Griffiths to score an unconverted try. The score was now 36-0.

Three minutes later, Tom Powell scored his second try, with the Otters very much in the ascendancy. Ianto Griffiths converted taking the Otters total to 43 points to nil.

The Otters were now playing with such confidence, it was more in the style of sevens rugby. This seemed to encourage Skewen to join in and in no time they were awarded a penalty for a high tackle. Then the Otters were penalised for offside. This enabled Skewen to proceed nearer to the Otters five-metre line, before the referee awarded them a scrum. Skewen heeled and the ball was forced over by the bulky centre Kevin James for a try, converted by fullback Adam Rowlands.

The Otters were determined to keep Skewen at bay. Though one final incident saw Skewen kick long and over the line and out of play. From the scrum and breakdown, the referee blew full-time with the score at 43 – 7.

This was a satisfying end to a successful season and with five points the win placed the Otters firmly in second place in the Championship League - a great achievement in a very competitive league.

In the clubhouse, match sponsors Young Brothers awarded man of the match to Tom Powell. The scouting visitors congratulated the coaching staff and management and noted the continued high standard of facilities.

Leaving the club after two very successful seasons is backs coach Liam Gadd. The club recognised his total commitment and expertise, travelling three times a week from Port Talbot, and wish him every success in the future. He will be replaced by Deinial Evans, currently the Scarlets Academy coach and Wales Under 16s coach.

Commenting later, director of rugby, Sean Gale, said it was not a brilliant performance, but at the end of the evening, the team were asked to do a job and they did it well. There were a lot of injuries, including Paul Davies before the game, along with Keiron Jones and Rhodri Owens.

“The players are developing,,” he continued. “Gethin Gibby, Keiran Jones, Lewys Gibby and Rhodri Owens all show promise. Nick Gale had his 100th game and is only 24. We are in such a good place at the moment.

“For next season, I expect a few signings, which is exciting. We are obviously putting a good product on the field for the scouts to be present at the game. To finish second in two consecutive years is fantastic.

“I have to mention Sean Jenkins who has been brilliant in the back row. It is a job well done and an excellent place to be. We had a bad spell in January, the challenge is to get better. I understand how it happens with the poor weather. We set targets in July and we have met them. The whole club is doing well, it is a community club run professionally. The club are indeed indebted to many, but especially our main sponsor G.D. Harries & Sons Ltd.”

Narberth fielded: James Stephenson, Nick Gale, Keiran Jones (Jonathan Rogers), Keiran Griffiths, Gethin Gibby, Ianto Griffiths, Lewys Gibby, Bradley Davies, Dan Smith (Rhodri Owens), Yom Slater (Tom Kajaks) Jake Simm (Ryan Banner), Tom Powell, Sean Jenkins, Steffan Phillips.