Sport

Slow start costs Otters in thriller

Published

4 years ago

April 5, 2019

A SLOW start cost Narberth on Saturday (Mar 30) but they still put up a big fight before succumbing to a 42-34 defeat at the hands of Tata Steel.

The Otters fielded a few replacements due to injury but the subs bench was strong with experienced, hardened players likely to make an impact.

Tata attacked from the off with some early pressure with the Otters defence holding firm. Both sides attempted to move the ball through the hands but the strong tackling created a number of knock ons’.

Play remained in midfield until the Steelmen set up a kick and chase scenario which the Otters safely minored as it went over the try line.

The first try came ten minutes into the game with Tata Steel advancing into the Otters 22 they stretched the Otters defence enabling their wing Morgan Williams to sprint through the gap created to score with fly half Dan Gurenani converting.

Within two minutes, the Steelmen scored a second try. The Otters restarted the game after the first try and quickly set up an attack only to lose possession in the close forward exchange. Tata Steel moved the ball quickly with flanker Dan Griggs breaking through to score with Dan Gurenani converting. Suddenly Tata Steel had a fourteen point to nil lead and looked very threatening with such a start.

Photos by Myrddin Dennis

The Otters responded and Keiron Jones made an effective break to reach the Tata Steel five metre line before he was tackled. A lineout followed with the Otters winning the jump setting up a maul which quickly collapsed with the ref awarding Tata Steel a scrum.

The Otters continued their efforts and were awarded a penalty thirty metres from the line which Jonathan Rogers slotted over for three points. Tata Steel restarted using a grubber kick and when the Otters attempted to collect and move forward they knocked the ball forward in the tackle. The ref blew his whistle and awarded a scrum which had to be reset and once the scrum was set the ref awarded the Steelmen a penalty which was about forty metres from the posts, Dan Gurenani kicked adding a further three points making the score 17-3.

Five minutes later on the half hour the referee awarded Tata Steel a controversial penalty try. They were attacking close to the Otters line and from what appeared to be a simple knock on awarded the penalty try.

This was followed with the Otters setting up attacks but knocking on in the tackle. Scrum half Lewys Gibby from the heel passed to the right before there was another knock on.

However, after a series of plays Jack Price regained the ball and in typical barn storming style forced his way over the line for an unconverted try to make it 24-8 at half time.

Whilst the Steelmen looked the stronger side, Otter supporters were remembering a past game where they were losing quite heavily but turned the game around and ended winning.

Tata Steel restarted the second half and begun to look the stronger scrummaging team.

Jonathan Rogers gathered the restart and responded with one of his long kicks which Tata Steel gathered and attacked strongly up field only to knock on at the breakdown. Rogers replied kicking into touch well into the opposition half. Tata Steel failed to throw the ball straight at the lineout and the ref awarded the Otters a scrum. The Otters made a further change with Dan Jacobs replacing Dewi Williams with Tom Kaijak moving into the second row. This change restored the Otters scrummage with the Otters heeling, Tom Powell broke away from the scrum and fed Lewys Gibby who passed to Jonathan Rogers. He then threw a long pass out to Jack Price who moved strongly forward before handing the ball to wing Yannnick Parker who crossed the line for an unconverted try.

Within five minutes Tata Steel responded with a try by replacement Steff Davies again converted by Dan Gurenani to make it 31-13.

From the restart, the Tata Steel number eight gathered the ball broke out of their half and in the movement that followed the Otters defence were adjudged offside. This enabled Dan Gurenani to kick a further three points to their score on fifty minutes.

The Otters rallied, Jonathan Rogers kicked into touch on the opposition 22. Tata infringed and the Otters kicked towards the corner. At the lineout Alex Jenkins jumped and taking clean ball set up a rolling maul, the ball was released and moved right with Tata Steel defending defiantly before Jack Price forced his over for his second try. Ianto Griffiths came forward and converted the try. The score was now 34-20.

The Otters followed this with a further attack before conceding a penalty which Dan Gurenani added a further three points. From the restart the Otters set up several attempts to proceed downfield with Jack Price prominent as he forced his way over the gain line.

On 64 minutes he took a quick penalty in the opposition 22 and crossed the line to touch down. Again Ianto Griffiths converted bringing the score to 37-27.

On 70 minutes Tata suffered a yellow card for taking out Alex Jenkins. Before this the Otters moved to near the line, the referee awarded a penalty and chose a scrum. This had to be reset and after a further infringement awarded the Otters a penalty try. This had the Otter supporters on edge with the score now 37-34, a possible win seemed on the cards.

However on 78 minutes hooker Jake Lewis scored an unconverted try. This was followed by a breakout by Tom Powell who raced downfield only to be caught near the 5 metre line but unfortunately was not supported.

Tata recovered and a few minutes later the game ended with the final score 42-34 with the Otters gaining a single bonus point.

Related Topics:Championship Narberth Otters Rugby Tata Steel WRU

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Sport

Cup semi-finals and more league action this weekend

Published

3 weeks ago

March 2, 2023

James Hemingray

THERE are two Divisional cup semi-finals this weekend as well as the usual league action across Pembrokeshire.

The first of those semis is in the Division 3 Cup. Letterston will take on Lawrenny at Carew with that game kicking off at 2pm.

Letterston beat holders Clarbeston Road seconds on penalties in the last round while Lawrenny beat St Florence.

The other semi-final sees Haverfordwest CC taking on Camrose with that game taking place next weekend, March 11.

There is also one semi-final in the Division 5 Cup this weekend and it sees Cosheston seconds taking on Milford Athletic seconds with that game being played at Pembroke Boro and also kicking off at 2pm.

Cosheston beat Pembroke Boro seconds 5-1 in the quarter finals while Milford Athletic beat Broad Haven seconds 4-3.

There is a game in the Division 2 cup too as Herbrandston host Solva, with that game again kicking off at 2pm.

In Division 1, leaders Goodwick United host Kilgetty in what will be a good game between two in-form teams. Goodwick earned a 2-0 win over Kilgetty in their last meeting. Both sides go into this game on three-game unbeaten runs (in all competitions) and it promises to be a close encounter.

Second placed Merlins Bridge have suffered three straight defeats in all competitions and they will look to get back to winning ways when they take on Fishguard.

Clarbeston Road take on Neyland and the league’s bottom two also meet as St Clears travel to St Ishmaels.

Monkton Swifts are on a four game unbeaten run and they face local rivals Pennar Robins who themselves have won their last two games.

All Division 1 games will be kicking off at 2:30pm.

In Division 2, second placed Milford United host fifth placed Johnston. Milford were beaten last week by Tenby and they will be keen to get back to winning ways.

Johnston are unbeaten in three games and they will be looking for another win to close the gap on the top four.

Narberth have won their last three games and they take on Carew seconds. A win for the Bluebirds will take them closer to their opponents in the table.

Tenby will be bouyed by their win over Milford last week and they host Broad Haven on Saturday.

Pennar Robins seconds earned their first win of the season last weekend and they now host rivals Monkton Swifts seconds.

In Division 3, Cosheston host Camrose, Haverfordwest Cricket Club host Goodwick United seconds. Milford Athletic host Pendine and Pembroke Boro visit St Florence.

Fixtures for Division 4:

Angle v Newport Tigers
Camrose II v Tenby II
Carew III v Prendergast Villa
Kilgetty II v St Ishmaels II
Neyland II v Herbrandston II

Fixtures for Division 5:

Broad Haven II v Pembroke Boro II
Johnston II v N Hedges & Saundersfoot
Lawrenny II v Letterston II
St Clears II v Monkton Swifts III

Sport

Bluebirds beaten on the road

Published

3 weeks ago

February 27, 2023

James Hemingray

HAVERFODWEST County suffered defeat on Saturday (Feb 25) as their hopes of finishing seventh took a blow.

The Bluebirds had beaten Flint Town United last time out and were hoping to pick up another win but they came up against a Pontypridd side bouyed by their late show against Aberystwyth in their last game which saw them earn a 3-3 draw.

There was a chance for Ben Fawcett early on as he latched on to a long ball but his shot from the edge of the area went just wide.

In the 24th minute, Jordan Davies crossed the ball to the back post for Jazz Richards whose header back towards proved too hot for the Ponty keeper to handle who palmed the ball into the net.

However, nine minutes later the home side were back level as Kieran Lewis’ corner was headed in by Jarrad Wright.

The game remained 1-1 at the break with both sides keen to make a good start to the second half.

For the Bluebirds, it was anything but. Four minutes in, Oscar Borg was sent off for pulling down Ponty’s Ben Ahmun, giving the home side a free kick on the edge of the box.

Lewis stepped up and curled a brilliant effort into the net to put the home side ahead.

Ponty nearly added a third late on as the ball was sent through for Danny Williams but he could not beat Bluebirds keeper Zac Jones. The rebound fell to Owain Jones but he sent his effort over the bar.

The win for Ponty moves them back out of the bottom two and they now sit three points behind the Bluebirds.

The sides now have a two-week break before their next league game.

On Saturday, March 11, Haverfordwest travel to Aberystwyth Town while Pontypridd host Caernarfon Town.

Sport

Division 2: Johnston, Tenby and Hakin seconds earn victories

Published

3 weeks ago

February 27, 2023

James Hemingray

THERE were wins for Johnston, Tenby and Hakin United seconds on Saturday (Feb 25) as the race for promotion to Division 1 hots up.

Hakin United seconds remain top of the table after they beat Monkton Swifts seconds 2-0.

Leon Davies scored after half an hour and James Trueman added a second with twenty minutes to go as the Vikings earned their thirteenth win of the season.

Their gap to second placed Milford United increased to four points as the Robins were beaten 4-0 by Tenby.

After a goalless first half, Dan Storer put Tenby ahead before Scott Ferney added a second. Jerome Mansbridge added a third before Ferney put the result beyond doubt with an 82nd minute penalty.

Herbrandston missed the chance to close the gap to Milford after they were beaten 2-0 by Johnston.

Craig Bendall scored a 17th minute penalty and Joey George added a second ten minutes before the break. There were no more goals and Johnston held on for the win which moves them five points behind Herbie.

Narberth earned their third league win in a row on Saturday as they came from behind to beat Merlins Bridge seconds 2-1.

Rhys Corney put the Wizards ahead but two quick goals from Jordan Williams and Morgan Preece gave Narberth victory.

Broad Haven earned their sixth win of the season on Saturday as they beat Solva 6-1.

Jack Thornton put Solva ahead in the thirteenth minute but Thomas Lawrence equalised a minute later.

Spencer Le-Petit then scored either side of half time to make it 3-1. Ian Harvey added a fourth before scoring a further two goals in the space of four minutes to seal a comfortable win.

Pennar Robins seconds earned their first win of the season on Saturday as they beat Carew seconds 1-0. It had looked as if the game was heading for a 0-0 draw but a late goal from Bobby Jones earned Pennar a welcome win.

Fixtures for Saturday, March 4:

Second Division Cup
Herbrandston v Solva

Division 2
Milford United v Johnston
Narberth v Carew seconds
Pennar Robins seconds v Monkton Swifts seconds
Tenby v Broad Haven