Narberth 57 - Bedlinog 28: Another spectacular rugby match at the Lewis Lloyd ground saw Narberth eventually come out on top by 57 points to 28 in a thrilling and entertaining encounter against a strong Bedlinog side.

The large crowd was treated to a skilful and exciting game, with tries aplenty and the lead changing hands several times during the first half.

After a mere five minutes, Narberth had a lineout on the visitors’ 22 metre line. Captain Alex Jenkins rose high to win the ball and it was quickly fed to inside centre Jack Price who took the ball forward. When tackled, the ball was quickly recycled and fed wide to flanker Andrew Cooke. He drove forward and slipped a pass to winger Johnny Morgan who sprinted down the top touchline. The ball was swiftly moved back into midfield where Jack Price threw a long pass out to number eight Richie Rees who sped in for a try in the clubhouse corner. Fly-half Ianto Griffiths failed with the difficult conversion attempt (5-0).

Almost immediately from the restart the visitors were on the attack and from a lineout on the Narberth 22 metre line they drove forward and were camped on the try line. The Otters were tackling defiantly, but after the ball had been recycled on 10 occasions the Bedlinog No.7 eventually crashed over near the posts and the try was converted by the visitors’ fullback (5-7).

Five minutes later, a shortened lineout on the Bedlinog 22 metre line was won by Richie Rees. Andrew Cooke drove down the middle and then flicked a pass to scrum-half Rhys Lane who was pulled up short of the line. The ball was quickly recycled and fed to centre Keiron Jones who ran outside his opposite number and scored midway out. The try was converted by Ianto Griffiths (12-7).

Within minutes, Bedlinog were back on the attack and from a scrum on the Narberth 22 metre line the ball was quickly moved to the visitors’ outside centre who burst through the Narberth backline and then kicked through for his fullback to score near the posts. The No.15 duly converted his try (12-14).

Bedlinog were now getting a firm grip on the game and continued to attack strongly. Narberth couldn’t get their hands on the ball, but continued to defend heroically.

From a scrum 20 metres out from the Narberth try line the Bedlinog No.8 picked up and went round the blind side. He chipped ahead and the ball was collected by their scrum-half who was held up over the line after a fantastic tackle by home number eight Richie Rees.

Narberth were under serious pressure, but a relieving kick by scrum-half Rhys Lane was fumbled by the visitors’ fullback. Johnny Morgan picked up the ball and sped along the touchline. When tackled, the ball was quickly fed wide to left wing Gethin Gibby who made ground along the bottom touchline. Prop Dan Jacobs drove forward to create the next ruck from which Rhys Lane sniped round the corner and fed the ball to Ianto Griffiths who scored under the posts and duly converted his try (19-14).

Within two minutes, the lead changed hands once again. From a lineout on their 10-metre line, Bedlinog drove forward up the middle and for once some lacklustre defence by the Narberth backs allowed the visitors’ fullback to speed round the blind side and put his winger in space. He stepped inside covering fullback Nick Gale and ran in under the posts. The try was again converted (19-21).

Bedlinog seemed to be getting the upper hand and only dogged defence from the whole Narberth team was keeping them out. A desperate tackle by Andrew Cooke brought the Bedlinog No.4 down a couple of metres short of the try line, then Ianto Griffiths and hooker Dan Smith brought down the No.5 inches short. Bedlinog were camped on the Otters line, but after recycling the ball an incredible 11 times, a stray pass resulted in the ball going into touch and the referee blew his whistle for half-time.

At this point, it looked as though Narberth were in for a very testing afternoon.

On returning to the field, Lewys Gibby replaced Rhys Lane at scrum-half. Five minutes into the second half, Bedlinog infringed at a ruck on their 10-metre line and Ianto Griffiths kicked the penalty (22-21).

Back came Bedlinog who again consistently pressed inside the Narberth 22 metre line, on one occasion recycling the ball on 12 occasions, but still the Narberth defence held firm.

After 15 minutes of the second half, Ianto Griffiths was replaced by Jonathan Rogers, with Steff Phillips coming on at nuber eight Richie Rees moving to No.6 and Tom Powell replacing Ryan Banner in the second row.

After constant pressure, Narberth were awarded a penalty and kicked downfield. From the resulting lineout, Richie Rees drove forward, the ball was quickly recycled to Lewys Gibby who passed, looped round and shot through a gap in the visitors’ defence. He transferred the ball to Johnny Morgan who slipped through the first tackle and when grounded passed back inside to the ever-alert scrum-half who scored halfway out. Fullback Nick Gale converted the try (29-21).

Almost immediately from the kick-off, Narberth were again pressing inside the Bedlinog half. A speculative kick out of defence by the visitors’ fly-half was collected on the bounce by Nick Gale. He broke the first tackle, slipped the ball inside to Steff Phillips coming at pace who broke clean through and then fed supporting teammate Tom Powell who ran in under the posts. Nick Gale converted (36-21).

Two converted tries in five minutes changed the whole complexion of the game. Bedlinog were deflated and Narberth were in the ascendency. Owen Jordan was then sent on to replace Dan Jacobs at prop.

A further 10 minutes into the game and after a chip ahead by Jack Price, Narberth had a lineout close to the Bedlinog try line. The lineout was won and a drive towards the line supported by several of the Narberth backs resulted in Jack Price getting the touchdown. Nick Gale converted the try (43-21).

However, Bedlinog refused to give up and after a series of attacks their left winger was put in at the corner flag adjacent to the clubhouse and with an excellent kick the try was converted (43-28). Kyle Hamer then replaced Andrew Cooke in the back row.

In the final 10 minutes, Narberth scored a further two tries; firstly, when Lewys Gibby again made a scintillating break from a set-scrum and passed to Jack Price who sprinted in under the posts. Nick Gale converted the try. (50-28). Finally, some excellent passing by the Narberth backs saw Johnny Morgan glide through a gap in the Bedlinog defence and pass to Nick Gale who scored and again converted his own try (57-28).

There were 12 tries in all, eight for Narberth and four for Bedlinog and the match was well summed up by match commentator Freeman Brawn who congratulated both teams on putting on a wonderful display of rugby.

The man of the match award presented by match day sponsors Lawrenny Cricket Club was given to number eight Richie Rees who also received the Folly Farm Player of the Month Trophy.

Narberth fielded: Dan Jacobs (Owen Jordan), Dan Smith, Tom Kaijaks, Ryan Banner (Steffan Phillips), Alex Jenkins (capt.), Andrew Cooke (Kyle Hamer), Tom Powell, Richie Rees, Rhys Lane (Lewys Gibby), Ianto Griffiths (Jonathan Rogers), Gethin Gibby, Jack Price, Keiron Jones, Johnny Morgan and Nick Gale.