Skewen 14 pts. Narberth 20

Storm Brian caused many games to be cancelled last Saturday, but the Championship League game at Tennant Park, Skewen, was considered playable, despite atrocious weather. The ground looked in good condition, but deteriorated over the period of the game. The gale, whilst severe, was not as intense as in Pembrokeshire.

The Otters kicked off, with Jonathan Rogers finding touch inside the Skewen 22. With the gale continuing, the Otters won the lineout, but as it broke up, captain and lineout specialist, Alex Jenkins, lay prone on the ground. At first it looked serious, but physio Jenny Blakiston worked on him and he was soon back in action.

After only three minutes, Ianto Griffiths put the Otters into the lead with a penalty from in front of the posts, but needed Jonathan Rogers to use an old technique of keeping the ball still whilst Ianto made sure of putting the ball between the posts.

Despite the torrential driving rain, the Otters attacked, passing the ball from hand to hand at every opportunity and when brought down rucked efficiently. It is fair comment that the Otters controlled the first 18 minutes, but were unable to break the Skewen defence and, with an increasing slippery ball, knock-ons began to occur.

At this time, Narberth were moving forward and went through five phases when Skewen ripped the ball from them on the halfway line and kicked ahead, the ball skidding over the surface as the Otters attempted to defend.

Skewen wing Gareth Morris raced forward, chased by Narberth wing Jack Parkinson, who came alongside as the Skewen man attempted to ground the ball. As Parkinson dived in an attempt to get to it first, he unfortunately collided with Morris and, as the ball rolled on over the deadball line, the referee decided to award a penalty try, as well as a yellow card to Parkinson.

It meant that Skewen now held a 7-3 lead on 20 minutes, a score which was very much against the run of play.

The Otters kicked out, Skewen collected the ball and moved forward using several phases, before the Otters were penalised. The Skewen fly-half then kicked towards the Otters’ corner flag. At the lineout, they won the ball and, moving it out to winger Gareth Morris, he sped through the Narberth defence to touch down under the posts, with fly-half Adam Rowland converting to bring the score to 14 -3.

Responding from the restart, Narberth immediately went on the attack, before Skewen ripped the ball when the Otters were halted, with the referee awarding a penalty, which Jonathan Rogers kicked into touch on the five-metre line. From the lineout, the Otters moved forward via several phases, before a knock-on occurred just two metres from the try line.

The Otters continued to monopolise the ball, but still were unable to break through the Skewen defence.

On 37 minutes, Bradley Davies came off the bench, replacing the injured Ollie Evans.

Then just before half-time, Ianto Griffiths, again with the aid of Jonathan Rogers, banged over a penalty kick, bringing the score at half- time to 14-6.

The score did not do justice, with the Otters having a substantial period in the Skewen half and attempting to play rugby, but Skewen were able to gain from the freak weather conditions and take advantage of any mistakes.

When the teams returned to the field after the break, the Otters came out with Jack Price replacing Keiron Jones at outside centre.

Skewen kicked off and immediately the Otters were in attack mode. The forwards went through a series of phases, driving towards the Skewen line. They were awarded a penalty which Jonathan Rogers kicked to the corner.

At the lineout, Skewen were awarded a scrum for an Otters infringement. Immediately the Otters moved the opposition pack backwards. This was clear evidence of a change in the front row situation, since before half-time Skewen seemed to have the edge in the scrum.

Heeling the ball, Rhys Lane fed Jonathan Rogers, who kicked it into touch. The Otters won the lineout, with Rhys Lane subsequently controlling a series of phased rucks which moved from right to left close to the line.

Skewen, doggedly, were holding the Otters back, until centre Jack Price finally forced his way over the line for a try, which Ianto Griffiths safely converted to narrow the gap to one point at 14-13.

Skewen kicked out, the ball was collected by Jonathan Rogers, who kicked long for the Skewen fullback to kick to touch for safety. From the lineout, it was clear the Otters were under instruction to keep the home side pegged inside their half of the pitch.

On 60 minutes, Skewen were awarded a penalty for a Narberth offence at the ruck in the Otters half and directly in front of the posts. However, their fly-half, faced with the crossfield gale, failed to find the target.

At this point, Tom Powell replaced Dewi Williams in the back row.

Narberth kicked out and quickly regained the ball at the breakdown and then forced their way upfield towards the Skewen line, in the process working through 12 phases before knocking-on. Skewen were awarded the scrum and were soon back-pedalling as the Narberth eight applied the pressure, ending up with Otters being awarded a penalty try and Skewen a yellow card.

This put the Otters ahead as it brought the score to 14-20.

In the phased movements, Bradley Davies, Dan Smith, Alex Jenkins and the back row all played their part in the drive upfield. The penalty try came on 67 minutes.

Skewen then made determined efforts to regain the initiative, but the Otters remained steady, with Ianto Griffiths and Jonathan Rogers kicking them back.

Unfortunately, as time wore on, Skewen forwards lost their cool and a series of fracases broke out, with Alex Jenkins attempting to keep his pack out of trouble with the referee. Unfortunately, on 70 minutes, Tom Slater was sent to the sin bin with a yellow card. Thereafter uncontested scrums became necessary.

Five minutes later, the Otters were once again pressurising the Skewen try-line, with the half-backs controlling things with kicks to the corner flag.

The last five minutes of the game saw the Otters keeping Skewen pegged back and when the referee blew full-time, with Narberth deservedly winning 20-14, there were joyful shouts from the players and supporters alike.

This was always going to be a challenging game for the Otters and, having to play rugby in such difficult conditions, was an extra challenge. Clearly playing under instructions, the game plan worked.

It was no surprise that Bradley Davies was awarded man-of-the-match for his performance in the tight and in the loose, with his low trajectory helping him to make many metres.

As the players left the gale-swept field, a swarm of seagulls swooped in to take advantage of the muddied ground and a real feast of worms!

In the Skewen clubhouse, a smiling head coach Sean Gale commented: “ It was an excellent game which did not need to be played.”

He went on to say: “I think they fancied their chances with a big, physical pack, but the boys stood up to the atrocious conditions. Do we need to play rugby in weather like this when we have several spare weekends? We played, we fronted up and tactically we were very good. In the set-piece we were good, there was one defensive lapse when they scored, but we had 75 to 80 per cent possession and the boys played fantastically. We thoroughly deserved the win, the pressure told in the end and it was a very, very good victory.

“Ryan Banner came in for his second game of the season and he had a really good game, the back row of Sean Jenkins, Dewi Williams and Richard Rees were excellent. The one who really made the difference was Bradley Davies when he came on; he was absolutely superb. We had a push-over try and the way he carried the ball was fantastic.

“Defensively we are really sound, the set-piece is good and our gain-line work is impressing me at the moment, but all in all, the attitude of the boys out there playing in atrocious conditions was fantastic. It was a game to remember and I am really proud of the boys.”

Later when news came through of cancelled games and those that were played, working through the league table, supporters and players found the win had moved the Otters up into second place.

Narberth fielded: Ianto Griffiths, Liam Hutchings, Keiron Jones (Jack Price), Paul Davies, Jonathan Rogers, Rhys Lane, Ollie Evans (Bradley Davies), Dan Smith, Tom Slater, Ryan Banner, Alex Jenkins, capt., Dewi Williams (Tom Powell), Sean Jenkins, Richard Rees. Substitutes on bench - Rhodri Owen, Lewys Gibby.