Narberth 13

Bonymaen 13

NARBERTH Bonymaen team in bottom place in the table but boosted by the inclusion of a couple of Llandovery players on permit, writes Bill Carne.

Indeed, the Otters might well have lost as they trailed 13-6 with time approaching the 80-minute mark but then grabbed a penalty try which Ianto Griffiths converted as the visitors transgressed at a scrum five.

Even then the Otters still had time for a last gasp win as Steffan Phillips looked to have put full back Johnny Morgan in the clear near half way but referee Jon hardy spotted a marginal forward pass and brought the game to a conclusion with the Otters’ faithful rising to their feet in unfulfilled anticipation

To be fair to both teams this was never likely to be a classic since the Lewis Lloyd pitch was understandably heavy but Bonymaen played with more purpose in the first quarter as they had a penalty on target from No 10 Richard Cunniffe after an interception had put the Otters on the back foot.

Narberth held the edge up front as Alex Jenkins and particularly Adam Clarke were heavily involved but even when Bonymaen had prop Richard Murphy yellow-carded the Otters could only muster a snap drop goal by Ianto Griffiths to show for a marked territorial advantage.

A big touchline tackle by winger James Russell seemed to fire Narberth up after the oranges and they took the lead with a Ianto Griffiths penalty. They also brought on fresh legs in Sean Lloyd, Tom Slater and Rhys Lane but they were still unable to pin Bonymaen back and the visitors drew level with a second Cunniffe penalty.

Even worse was to follow as Bonymaen grabbed a 68th minute try when half backs Lee Rees and Cunniffe conspired to put full back Steve O’Connor in at the corner and Cunniffe landed the extremely difficult conversion.

The Otters had chances for Adam Clarke, Johnny Morgan and Richard Davies but all were held up just short by desperate Bonymaen tackling. Even when the Otters were awarded a penalty 15 metres out the attempted kick to the corner flew the wrong side of the corner flag and left their supporters frustrated until that late penalty try earned them a share of the spoils.

Narberth: Johnny Morgan, Nick Gale, Richard Davies, Steve Martin (Capt), James Russel, Ianto Griffiths, Adrian Killa, Ollie Evans, Dan Smith; Owen Jordan: Adam Clarke, Alex Jenkins, Lewis Wood, Stuart Worrall, Steffan Philips. Subs: Tom Slater, Rhys Lane, Tomi Jones, Sean Lloyd, Simon Griffiths.