Ystalyfera 20  - Narberth 24

 
Narberth got their 21/22 season off to a winning start as they travelled to Ystalyfera for this WRU Championship Cup group 4 tie and came back with a 24-20 win after leading 14-8 at the break.
 
The opposition had already had three friendlies so the result was doubly pleasing for Otters’ head coach Sean Gale and his team.
 

Nick leaves early but Otters young blood did well

 
The only downbeat feature was an early leg injury to full back Nick Gale as he kicked the conversion of hooker Rhodri Owen’s first try, (replaced by Ianto Griffiths)  but highlights included the fact that his father Sean had included some young players, including youth team players on the bench like scrum half George James and hooker Tom Clarke.
 
And 18 year old George Macdonald, the son of long-serving and influential No 9 Chris MacDonald made his debut in the same role and played well as half back partner Jonathan Rogers.
 

Strong display up front

 
Up front, Guto Davies from Crymych made his debut at flanker alongside Tom Powell and skipper Richard Reed, whilst Rhys Williams, formerly of Burry Port, starting alongside Alex Jenkins in the second row, also had a good game.
 
Brad Davies and Tom Kaijaks anchored the scrum well and Rhodri Owen not only played well as hooker but also managed two tries in the process – and veteran Dan Smith, for so long the key No 2 in the team, helped out by coming on as replacement prop and as usual gave total commitment.
 

Teams meet again in a fortnight

 
As well as Rhodri Owen’s first try he also added a second and livewire flanker Tom Powell claimed a third, whilst as well as Nick gale’s early two-pointer there were two more conversions by the influential Rogers alongside a well-struck penalty.
 
For Ystalyfera there were two tries for Kieran Abraham, who is in the Ospreys’ academy, plus a conversion and penalty from Iestyn Scott.
 
The teams now meet again at The Lewis Lloyd Ground on the 4^th September and then play  Trebanos on a home and away basis the following two Saturdays to see who wins the section and progresses to the next stage.
 
Narberth: Nick Gale: Llew Jones; Joe Hutchings; Josh Davies; Daf Pritchard: Jonathan Rogers; George MacDonald: Bradley Davies; Rhodri Owen; Tom Kaijaks: Rhys Williams;   Alex Jenkins: Guto Davies; Tom Powell; Richard Rees (Capt). Replacements: Ianto Griffiths; Tom Clarke; George James, Dan Smith.