Rugby Reports for 2nd January 2016

Championship Division:

All Whites’ come-back denies Otters a big scalp

Swansea 27 - Narberth 20

With just five minutes remaining before half time it seemed as if a shock result was on the cards as seventh-placed Narberth had travelled to take on promotion favourites Swansea and were 20 points ahead as they played some positive rugby.

But then the All-Whites scored an unconverted try before the oranges and eventually overhauled the Otters, who had to settle for a consolation bonus point but achieved at a cost as they lost influential centre Steve Martin early on with suspected cracked ribs!

Good work up front by the likes of Ollie Evans, Marc Jones and Jamie Kaijaks set the early Narberth platform and winger Nick gale slotted penalties as early as the third and sixth minutes.

Lyndon Bateman, Alex Jenkins, Llyr Morris, Pat Roberts and Lewis Wood helped maintain the Otters’ momentum and after 25 minutes they scored the opening try of the game through Gale, who also notched the conversion, as he did on the half hour when scrum half Rhys Lane spotted a gap and sliced through to the line.

Swans lose their lethargy

Swansea were shaken out of their lethargy when No 8 Rory Gallagher ploughed over for an unconverted try and with a 20-5 interval lead the Otters were firmly in control.

But the All Whites started the second period in much more assertive mode and after Jack Wilson had landed a penalty soon after the restart the No 10 slotted the conversion of a try by full back Liam Popham.
Even worse was to follow for The Otters when Wilson sped over for a try at the posts which he also converted to nudge his team ahead, either side of long-distance penalty attempts from Gale which fell short of the target.

The homesters also had the final word when a good break by winger Andrew Claypole found No 8 Gallagher in support to claim his second try and ensure a bonus point – and although Wilson missed the conversion attempt it mattered little because Narberth were unable to regain the initiative and had to settle for a single point when up until the interval it promised to be so much more!

Swansea: Liam Popham: Andrew Claypole; Jedd Evans; Dan Watkins; Will Lewis: Jack Wilson; Scott Maynard: Richard Murphy; Ricky Guest; Ryan Thomas: Rhodri Hughes; Sam Kiley: Chris James; Jack Perkins; Rory Gallagher. Replacements: Paul John; Neil White; Mike Sully; Ian Brooks; Rhodri Wells.

Narberth: Johnny Morgan: Nick Gale; Steve Martin; Ollie Reyland; Liam Hutchings: James Stephenson; Rhys Lane: Ollie Evans; Marc Jones; Jamie Kaijaks: Lyndon Bateman; Alex Jenkins: Pat Roberts; Llyr Morris; Lewis Wood. Replacements: Adam Clark; Dan Jacobs; Dan Smith; Jordan Roberts; Ianto Griffiths.

PHOTO:
Narberth's influential centre Steve Martin - out injured with damaged ribs

Swalec Plate Round 2:

Preseli Men powered out on 4G pitch

Bedlinog 52 - Crymych 13

It was a long night for Crymych up in Bedlinog as the Preseli Men conceded a half century of points and bowed out of the Swalec Plate in the process.

The game had been scheduled for Wednesday night, but heavy rain saw it moved to Saturday and the unusual kick off time of 5.15pm, with the clash taking place under lights on the 4G surface at Ystrad Mynach.

The visitors went 14-0 down early on and although scrum half and Crymych man of the match Luke Rogers landed two first half penalties, The Foxes ran in three more converted tries to lead 35-6 at the break.
And the Merthyr-based side ran in three more in the second half, before away centre Carwyn Phillips sliced through for a consolation try which Rogers converted.

Bedlinog tries went to full back Marcus Clyne (2), prop Nathan Huish, centre James Powell, No 8 Andrew Murphy, winger Owen Rees, second row Robson Blake and replacement No 15 Leigh Bennett.
Outside half Ben Grzesia landed six conversions.

The Preseli Men will at least be pleased to have got the fixture out of the way, and can now concentrate on their Division One West campaign, and a crucial Pembrokeshire derby against Tenby United this coming weekend.