Young Otters grab eight tries against battling Blues' youth

Floodlit Youth Rugby

Haverfordwest Youth 0 - Narberth Youth 50

Narberth Youth ran in eight tries without conceding a single point against their counterparts from Haverfordwest under the floodlights at Pembroke Road but faced grittier resistance than the final margin might success.

The Young Blues tackled like demons and had spells where they might have scored a deserved try but Narberth defended well in those periods and actually claimed several tries from long range with their ability to turn defence into attack via a lively back row of Dafydd Gibby, Owain Hughes and Sam Davies alongside canny half backs Jordan James and Morgan Chell.

Blues battle hard but Otters take control

Blues’ skipper Lewis Tingay, Isaac Hathaway and Corey-Jay Richards tried hard to stem the tide but the sheer physical presence of the Narberth Youth team prevailed as Stephen Pilot, Tom Clarke, Kaleb Higgon, Harri Rees and Aled Davies were heavily involved before No 9 James spread play wide and Ieuan Badham sped over for an unconverted try.

Then centre Harvey Jones rounded off a good move with a try which Harri Harries converted and the writing was on the Young Blues’ wall as prop Pilot powered over for Harries to add the extra points.

Further scores were claimed by outside half and powerful No 8 Sam Davies Chell to give The Young Otters a commanding 29-0 interval lead.

Late tries send Young Otters to 50 points

In the third quarter Haverfordwest Youth played their best rugby as Will Hughes, Jack Evans, Lewis Curtis and Owen Hamer tried to use hard-won possession but with Harries, Ryan Scourfield and Harvey Jones blotting things out in midfield they couldn’t benefit from several sorties into the visitors’ 22 – and in the final stages there were further tries by winger Ioan Evans (2) Jordan James, all well converted by Harries to take his side to a half century of points.

Andrew Thicker and Peter Hughes (Haverfordwest Youth coaches): “We battled hard but they had greater strength in depth and it counted. We had chances which we were unable to take but were already on the back foot too much against their power plays and ability to run the ball from deep.

Randal Evans and Shane Higgon (Narberth Youth coaches): We were pleased with our ability to absorb pressure when needed and showed our ability to score from anywhere on the pitch. We have strength in depth and so everyone is playing for their place – and it showed tonight as we ran in eight tries and conceded none.”

Haverfordwest Youth:   Johnny White:  Harry Jones; Will Hughes; Jack Evans; Jack Blockwell: Lewis Curtis; Owen Hamer: Ben Mathias-Milsom; Josh Evans; Joshua Jones: Iestyn Nash; Will Blackburn: Lewis Tingay; Corey-Jay Richards; Isaac Hathaway. Replacements:  Jason Stobbs, Ben Rees.

Narberth Youth: Harri Harries: Ifan Rees; Ryan Scourfield; Harvey Jones; Ioan Evans: Morgan Chell; Jordan James: Stephen Pilot; Tom Clarke; Kaleb Higgon: Harri Rees; Aled Davies: Dafydd Gibby; Owain Hughes; Sam Davies. Replacements: Ieuan Barnes; Jac Norcross; Osian Phillips; Ieuan Badham; Meru Hughes.

Referee: Joe Kiff (Llangwm), who had a good game with his quiet but firm control and ability to convey his decisions to players and spectators alike.