Ravens display ruthless cutting edge at Narberth

Feb 18 2008 South Wales Echo

Ravens display ruthless cutting edge at Narberth

Narberth 5-26 Bridgend

DIVISION One West Narberth showed why they are fighting for honours this season with a plucky display against former cup winners Bridgend.

The West Wales club’s problem during the campaign has been securing bonus points and if there was any criticism of their performance it was their lack of cutting edge.

They failed to use wisely ball they had won, which was one of the Ravens’ strengths as they finished off moves with clinical efficiency.

Having cruised through the previous two rounds with easy victories at Bryncethin and Builth Wells, coach Chris Stephens emphasised to his players that this would be their sternest test to date in the competition.

But wing Dan Connolly calmed nerves with two exciting first half tries from deep positions.

The Otters had enjoyed a good share of possession but twice they were cut to shreds by speedy counter attacks which resulted in touchdowns for the visitors.

In contrast, Narberth’s exciting prospect, centre Steve Martin, manufactured several exciting scoring opportunities but the support was absent and the chances were lost.

To their credit, the home side hit back early in the second half with a try by experienced and well-travelled scrum half Adrian Killa to reduce the deficit to 18-5 but any chance of a revival soon evaporated.

Full-back Gareth David, so reliable with the boot, added a penalty, his third of the tie, to add to a conversion and home defiance ended.

And, to add to their woes, visitors’ prop Phil Price went over for Bridgend’s third touchdown, the product of a rolling maul that Stephens’s side had used to great effect throughout the match.

Bridgend, after three away ties, will be hoping for a home clash in the quarter-finals, a stage where the competition really begins.