OTTERS SUFFER NARROW LOSS
NARBERTH suffered a 21-19 defeat at Ystalyfera in the Admiral National Championship.
The Otters opened the scoring when Josh Davies crossed from close range after powerful carries from debutant Caleb Salmon.
Lewis Gibby and Ianto Griffiths also went close to scoring as the visitors began to gain momentum.
But a defensive lapse led to a try for the hosts which was duly converted.
Narberth again turned up the pressure with Salmon impressing, and they got their reward when good interplay along the left touchline saw Josh Davies sprint clear to score in the corner.
But the Otters were undone by another defensive error and Ystalyfera claimed their second try to lead by two points at the interval.
An early Fera try at the start of the second half galvanised Narberth, who fought back upfield with Ilan Phillips and Jordan Roberts finding gaps in the defensive line to set Josh Evans in for a try.
In a dramatic last five minutes, Narberth chose not to shoot at goal when awarded a penalty, with George Macdonald taking a quick tap. But Ystalyfera managed to take back possession.
Phillips, Roberts and Davies then linked beautifully to take play from within their own 22 all the way to the opposition line, only for the hosts to deny them with superb last-ditch defence.
Davies then beat a series of defenders on a mazy run and linked with Macdonald, only for the referee to call Narberth back for a knock-on.
Narberth, who are now fifth in the table, play their next game on December 3 when they entertain fourthplaced Cross Keys.
Meanwhile, Ammanford moved top of One West Central with a comfortable 32-15 home win over Bonymaen.
They scored four tries – the last near the end by prop Dylan Phillips – to clinch a bonus point that moved them a point clear at the top. Other tries came from Matthew Lemon, Ellis Smith and Owain Thomas.
Dunvant’s 46-0 win at bottom side Brynaman moved them to within three points of the top.
Amman United extended their lead at the top of Three West B thanks to a 43-0 defeat of Llandybie.
Bottom side Llandybie made a promising start, enjoying large periods of territory and pressure as centres Nathaniel Butler and Steff Coombes and full-back Steff Jones stood out.
But they were ultimately well beaten.
After soaking up early pressure, Amman got a foothold in the game and runs from Dan Jones, Alun Lewis and Tai Cousins put them on the offensive.
Amman took the lead after 25 minutes when an attempted Llandybie clearance near their own line was charged down by Joel Foster, who followed up to touch down.
Excellent forward play paved the way for Iwan Davies to slice through the defence to touch down. Fly-half Iestyn Griffiths added the conversion.
Llandybie fell further behind when full-back Rhys Howells put in a neat chip over the defence and followed up his own kick to score.
Amman increased their advantage when a speculative chip ahead was seized on by Griffiths, who drew a defender before popping a try-scoring pass to wing Jack Evans. Griffiths landed the conversion.
Llandybie were undone again when Amman captain Alun Lewis went over for a try in the corner.
Hooker George Clarke then gave a try-scoring pass to back-rower Tom Thorneycroft, who went in under the posts. Griffiths’s conversion gave the Reds a commanding 36-0 lead.
The icing on the cake for the home side came when Foster took a tappenalty and Dan Jones strode over the whitewash for the final try. Griffiths again converted.
The sides now take a break for the remaining autumn internationals.
Amman return on December 3 with a home fixture against New Dock Stars, while Llandybie host Llangadog.