Carmarthen Journal

RUGBY ROUND-UP

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NARBERTH suffered a 33-23 defeat at Neath in the Admiral Championsh­ip.

It was a fine performanc­e by the Otters, who were still in with a chance of victory until the closing minutes.

Narberth started the game with intensity and went close twice before finally opening the scoring when fine work by Jonathan Rogers, Jordan Roberts and Ilan Phillips put young George Macdonald under the posts.

And they had more success when a Josh Davies break ended with Macdonald crossing for his second score. Rogers added two conversion­s, a penalty and a drop-goal and the visitors led 20-12 at the interval.

Rogers added a second penalty after the restart, but Neath were now in the ascendancy and tries from Ryan Evans, Jacob Blackmore, James Roberts and Aled Brew sealed their victory.

Amman United snatched a 39-34 victory at Tumble in Three West B victory with the last play of the game.

Lock Tom Thorneycro­ft’s injurytime try completed a thrilling comeback.

The match was preceded by a minute’s silence for former Amman player Karl Carter.

Tumble were shocked by the visitors’ lightning start. Lock Jason Nell crossed for the opening try before scrum-half Alex Williams’s jinking run caused panic and prop Cian Lewis went over. Tom Caddell’s conversion­s gave Amman a 14-0 advantage.

But the Magpies came roaring back, with prop Osian Flint forcing his way over from a driving maul before centre Kian O’reilly exploited some weak tackling for a try.

Flanker Steffan Owen went over for a third Tumble try and fly-half Steve Hewitt converted to put his side 17-14 ahead.

The hosts claimed a bonus point before the break when Sam Jones hacked the ball forward and O’reilly outstrippe­d the defence to touch down for an opportunis­t try.

A Caddell penalty reduced Tumble’s lead before Amman went in front again as captain Alun Lewis touched down.

Hewitt then put in O’reilly for his hat-trick try as the lead changed hands once more.

But the pendulum swung back once again as Mangan intercepte­d to race in and bag a bonus point.

The visitors were now in the ascendancy and Lewis crossed for his second try of the game.

A Hewitt penalty levelled the scores at 34-34. But in the final play Thorneycro­ft broke Magpies hearts with his last-gasp winning try.

Amman host Cefneithin on Saturday, while Tumble travel to New Dock Stars.

Cwmgors’s Three West Central fixture at Nantymoel was postponed following the death of former player Karl Carter, who had played for 15 years for the Cherries.

Cwmgors play Cwmafan at Parc y Werin on Saturday.

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