Conditions last Saturday were made for an open game of rugby which throughout was played in bright sunshine.

Prior to the game, Narberth Juniors had a game against Bridgend.

The Championship League game was delayed by 10 minutes to enable a spectator inadvertantly injured by a ball to be attended to.

Both senior teams entered the playing area before kick-off and along with the spectators stood for a minute’s silence in respect of two persons who had passed away during the week, namely Mrs. Louise Helps, aged 50, who fought a battle with cancer over the past 20 years (wife and mother, respectively, of Chris, Josh and James and daughter of late committee member George Phillips), also Mrs. Phillips, mother of Owain Phillips, a past clubhouse manager and whose wife is closely associated with the club over many years and as CEO of main club sponsor G. D. Harris and Sons Ltd.

The Otters started with the knowledge that they are the Championship League runners-up, but Skewen arrived in a precarious fourth position from the bottom, with four other clubs desperate for points and playing their final game of the season. They needed at least one bonus point for safety.

Skewen kicked off and with a wind blowing diagonally across the pitch, their kicker misjudged its effect, sending the ball over the dead ball line. At the resulting scrum, the Otters were awarded a penalty, enabling Jonathan Rogers to find touch. At the lineout, winning the ball, the Otters went through eight phases, before losing a ruck, which enabled Skewen to clear the danger, kicking long into the Otters’ half.

The Otters knocked on, but at the scrum they won the heel against the head and again Jonathan Rogers cleared the danger. Then at the next scrum, Skewen were awarded a penalty for fly-half Anthony Buselli to give them an early three-point lead.

This gave the visitors encouragement to attack strongly, the Otters were judged to be offside, but this time Buselli failed with the penalty kick.

On 16 minutes, the Otters scored via a determined effort by winger Jake Jenkins. Initially on his 22 metre line he fielded a high Skewen kick, then moved forward and when brought down to ground the Otters rucked, enabling scrum-half Rhys Lane to pass the ball out. First receiver was flanker Dewi Williams, who moving forward was tackled and from the ruck, Rhys Lane slipped the ball to centre Jack Price. He made a few strides with a defensive wall in front of him and passed out to Jake Jenkins, who raced up the touchline from halfway and was tackled just before the line, but was able to extend his arm to touch down for a well-earned try. From an acute angle, Jonathan Rogers did well to convert the try, giving the Otters a 7-3 lead.

Skewen kicked out and in the Otters half, near the stand, a fracas broke out, which seemed to involve the Skewen substitutes and officials who moved onto the playing area. The referee was unsighted and, much to the anger of Narberth supporters, awarded a penalty to Skewen, with Otters centre Ollie Reyland being yellow-carded. So the incident passed off, but one wonders what a video recording might have shown.

Minutes later, a further incident occurred inside the Skewen half. It seemed as though gamesmanship was playing a part in the match. On 20 minutes, Jack Price tackled the Skewen fullback and at the ruck, a further problem occurred. The Otters were awarded a penalty, from which Jonathan Rogers added a further three points, but clearly at this point tension was high with both teams.

Seven minutes later, Skewen were penalised and lost a further 10 metres for back-chatting. This time Jonathan Rogers failed to find the posts.

On 31 minutes, the second Otters try came. Inside their half, the Narberth pack released the ball from the scrum, Rhys Lane moved quickly to his right and drawing the defence, released Liam Hutchings, who sped up field, weaving his way past a few defenders to score a fine unconverted try, bringing the score to 15-3.

Just on half-time, Skewen were given a yellow card for a high tackle in a central position to the posts and Jonathan Rogers added a further three points, bringing the half-time score to 18 -3.

A feature of the half had been Jonathan Rogers using his prodigious kicking, with occasional screw kicks diverting the ball out of play and pinning Skewen within their half. Both centres were also again putting in some strong running, forcing Skewen into defending.

Otters supporters were confident that further scores would come, but how wrong they were. When the teams ran out for the second half, captain Alex Jenkins had been withdrawn from the second row and replaced by Adam Clarke. Skewen, with no hooker replacement, made uncontested scrums necessary. Narberth withdrew Tom Slater and replaced him with Ryan Rees.

Skewen’s fly-half began kicking tactically and, when awarded a penalty inside the Otters 22, called for a scrum. Automatically Skewen were able to release the ball and huge centre Kevin James forced his way over for an unconverted try.

Tom Slater returned to replace Dan Jacobs in the front row.

Then a few minutes later, Liam Hutchings was tackled without the ball, the referee awarded a scrum and when the ball came out, the Otters managed to knock-on, much to everyone’s frustration.

Shortly after, Skewen were awarded a penalty for a ruck infringement and Anthony Buselli kicked successfully to givehis side a further three points.

Lewis Wood came on to replace Dewi Williams at number seven in the back row.

On 69 minutes, further Narberth replacements saw Lawrence Headlam and Lewys Gibby come on for Jake Jenkins and Rhys Lane, respectively.

The fresh legs helped a more spirited attack, with Lawrence Headlam haring down the right wing and, when tackled, the Otters rucked and produced a promising move, with James Stephenson coming into the line. But it came to nought, with the ball being knocked on.

Then on 77 minutes, Jonathan Rogers just failed with a penalty kick, the ball veering at the last minute to the left of the posts.

Skewen kicked out, James Stephenson safely collected and sped forward for Skewen to be penalised yet again. Unfortunately, Jonathan Rogers failed with what was the final kick of the game.

The whistle blew and spirited cheers came from Skewen as they realised they had avoided the drop to Division One West, having gained a bonus point for being within seven points of the Otters’ score, with the final score being 18-11.

For the Otters, it was a disappointing second half, failing to add to their first half score. Clearly Alex Jenkins was missed, particularly in the lineout where his extra inches would have helped retain possession. In fairness, Jake Simms gave his all, both in the loose and tight situations, with the back row assisting at the breakdowns.

Threequarters coach Liam Gadd, speaking immediately after the game, commented: “It was a scrappy game, Skewen brought us down to their level. We are a good enough team not to react to that and to play our game, we should have beaten them by 50 points. They have just survived to stay in the Championship League and we are placed comfortably second. The league table does not lie, so we should have beaten them quite comfortably.

“However, those who watched the game would understand, it was a dreadful game, but a win is a win We missed Alex Jenkins second half, he is a leader and he was missed, we need people to step up to the challenge. A few boys played well, but a few disappointed.

“In the final game, which is at home on April 22 against Newbridge, we must finish positively,” he concluded.

Match sponsors Ken Morgan Architects and Associates chose Jake Simm as man-of-the-match.

Narberth fielded: James Stephenson, Jake Jenkins (Lawrence Headlam), Jack Price, Ollie Reyland, Liam Hutchings, Rhys Lane (Lewys Gibby), Dan Jacobs (Lewis Wood), Kyle Hamer, Tom Slater (Ryan Rees), Jake Simm, Alex Jenkins (capt.), Dewi Williams (Lewis Wood) Steffan Phillips, Richard Rees.