PHOTOS:
Gareth Bateman drives forward
 

  

‘Morgs’ helps Otters

 

Narberth 20 - Bridgend Athletic 11

 
A spectacular solo try from winger Johnny ‘Mogs’ Morgan set the seal on a hard-fought win for Narberth against Bridgend Athletic at the Lewis Lloyd Ground – although the game was somewhat marred by a nasty ankle injury for Athletic prop Wayne Fooks.

It came as his team defended a scrum five and caused a break in proceedings of 35 minutes as he was treated by club trainers and then the paramedics who promptly arrived, and who tried to call out the air ambulance but it was otherwise engaged on a call.

Fooks eventually departed the scene with a brave acknowledgement of the applause from both teams and supporters and it says much for his colleague’s resilience that they battled back from a 13-0 interval deficit to trail by just two points before Morgan sped away up the flank and cut inside for Ianto Griffiths no notch the simple conversion.
 

Tight result in prospect

The teams had shared 20 points just a week before in Bridgend and there was early evidence that this return fixture might be just as tight as the Athletic had the first chance by Sean Wilcox’s penalty hit the far upright and was scrambled clear before Otters’ centre Steve Martin was only just beaten to a kick and chase by Dan Howells.

From the ensuing scrum Fooks sustained his injury and it clearly took both teams time to resettle after the restart - but it was Narberth who performed better as two penalties by Ianto Griffiths gave them the lead as he too rapped the far post with another attempt.
 

Otters move in front

Then continued pressure up front from Lewis Wood, Ryan Banner, Marc Jones, Jamie Kaijaks and skipper Gareth Bateman saw Ollie Reyland use his strength in midfield to round off a period of pressure with a try converted by Ianto Griffiths.

Bridgend Athletic fought back after the interval, however, with a try in the corner from flanker Ben Howe, plus two penalties by Wilcox, but their hopes of a win were eventually thwarted as Morgan exerted his considerable influence in open play and the Otters  leap-frogged over their opponents and into seventh place in the championship table.

Narberth:  James Stephenson: Jordan Roberts; Steve Martin; Ollie Reyland; Johnny Morgan: Ianto Griffiths; Jonathan Rogers: Dan Jacobs; Marc Jones; Jamie Kaijaks: Ryan Banner; Alex Jenkins: Gareth Bateman (Capt); Llyr Morris; Lewis Wood. Replacements: Ollie Evans; Dan Smith; Pat Roberts; Gareth Owens; Rhys Lane.

Bridgend Athletic:  Dan Howells: Gareth Rees; Sean Wilcox; Lewis Evans; Craig Lewis: Scott Govan; Jakob Williams: Jack Powell; Rhydian Jenkins; Wayne Fooks: Tom Penry Ellis; Jonathan Stoker: Sean Williams (Capt); Ben Howe; Stuart Edbrooke. Replacements: Lewis Davies; Griff Davies; Darren Deguara; Liam Phillips.
Referee: Simon Mills.




 

PHOTO:
Lewis Wood looks to make a break

 

PHOTO:
Blues' outside half Mikey Jones receives a switch pass from Dan Richards

 

Swalec Bowl – Round Four:

 

Blues bow out of Swalec Bowl

 

Haverfordwest 10 - Aberdare 21

Haverfordwest bowed out of the Swalec Bowl as they battled hard against visiting Aberdare in a hard-fought fourth round battle against a side which showed why they are clear leaders of Division Three East (Central), with 13 league wins and just one defeat.

Nicknamed ‘The Snakes’, Aberdare’s most-capped former international is ex-prop Dai Young, whose sons Lewis and Owen were part of their back row in this tussle and played a big part in their team’s success.
Aberdare had beaten Tonna (away) by 27-0 in the previous round but they soon realised they were up against a much tougher prospect in The Blues as skipper Jonathan Mason inspired Haverfordwest’s pack early on.
 

Early chances go a begging

The Blues might have taken the early lead but several half chances went a-begging before outside half Mikey Jones gave them the lead with a well-struck penalty.

But Aberdare soon settled and they took a 6-3 lead into the interval thanks to two well-struck penalties from full back Matthew Rafferty.

Aberdare strengthened their grip on matters after the oranges as hooker Tom Hope ploughed over for an unconverted try, followed by two five-pointers from skipper Daniel Lewis, playing at No 8 alongside the Young brothers.

The Blues did have the final word when Mike Griffiths scored a good try and Mikey Jones added the extra points – but by then the decision was very much in ‘The Snakes’ hands and they progressed into the draw for round five, with a seemingly easier match at Glyncoch, who are bottom of Division Three East (Central) B and without a win so far in the league!

PHOTO:
Blues' winger Darren Salmon is hauled down near the line

 
 

Division One (West):

 

All square at Llangennech

 

Llangennech 17 - Crymych 17

Crymych travelled to Llangennech for this rearranged league match played under floodlights and continued their useful recent form as they secured a deserved draw against a team three places above them in the section table.

The Preseli Men deservedly led 9-3 at the interval as outside half Rhys Davies slotted three penalties to one from his opposite number Steffan Marshall – and added a fourth after some excellent play up front from hooker Aled Harries, the back row of Richard Sharp-Williams, the other Rhys Davies at No 8 and Joe Powell, whose brother Tom also featured well alongside Rhys Richards in the second row.

But Llangennech moved into a 17-12 lead thanks to tries from Ryan Davies and Ifan Beynon-Thomas, both converted by centre Kieran Thomas.

Crymych still kept plugging away and finally drew level with a well-worked try for Trystan Griffiths which went unconverted and so the Preseli Men only just missed out on a surprise victory that their overall contribution perhaps deserved

PHOTO:
Trystan Griffiths - good try for Crymych No 8