Ravens fly high as hard-working Otters bite cup dust

Feb 18 2008 by Phil Blanche, Western Mail

Narberth 5-26 Bridgend

THE Principality Premiership side were deserved winners of this competitive tie, but the scoreline did no justice to a fine effort from their Division One West hosts.

Bridgend coach Paul Williams complimented the Pembrokeshire side on their organisation, enthusiasm and skill levels.

“We knew that it was going to be tough and we are delighted to go home with a win after being fully tested,” said Williams.

“We were under a lot of pressure and, if our defence had not been rock solid, the scoreline could have been very different.

“If Narberth had supported their runners better in the first half, we could well have struggled.

“The other keys to our win were our power in the maul, ability to react in tight situations and, in particular, the way we seized chances.

“But take nothing away from the Otters – they are a balanced side with some excellent players who would shine in the Premiership.”

The star of the first half for the Ravens was left wing Dan Connolly, who scored two tries with a mixture of elusiveness and directness to help put his side 18-0 up.

The first came from some sharp thinking by flanker Ioan Cunningham, whose quick throw-in to full-back and skipper Gareth David ended with Connolly sidestepping two defenders on his way to the line.

It made the score 11-0, David having kicked two earlier penalties before the Otters’ backs – well-served by their combative pack in which No 8 James Bohata was outstanding – had an impressive spell of attacking.

Centre Steve Martin looked the classiest player on the park in making two slashing breaks.

Both narrowly failed to bring tries, but it looks just a matter of time before this young Wales amateur cap and promising boxer moves on to higher things.

For all their possession, the nearest Narberth came to scoring was when a drop goal attempt from fly-half Aled Davies rebounded off a post.

Cunningham, No 8 Gareth Williams, plus centres Gareth Howells and Geoff Hobbs, worked like beavers in the rearguard action and the Ravens were relieved to go into the break 11 points up.

But it got better for them after a lightning quick sortie gave Connolly the chance to come sizzling infield and sprint over for a converted try.

Narberth coach Jon Dodd, a former Bridgend player, admitted that this score proved the killer blow

“We were optimistic an 11-point margin could be bridged, but that score made it too tough to come back,” he said.

To their credit, Narberth responded soon after the restart. Wing Nick Jones made enough ground to let scrum-half Adrian Killa squeeze in at the corner, but David made it 21-5 with another penalty.

Three yellow cards to Bridgend and two to Narberth signified technical deficiencies rather than violent intent as the game remained tight.

But Bridgend’s advancing maul eventually did for the Otters when replacement prop Phil Price surged over late on.

Narberth: Try – A Killa.

Bridgend: Tries – D Connolly (2), P Price; con – G David; pens – G David (3).