Narberth 27 pts. Bridgend 22

Looking for a much-needed win to boost their chances of securing Division One West survival, Bridgend appeared to be taking the game away from the Narberth team at half-time.

However, the introduction of replacement outside-half Aled Davies after the interval combined with a tight-knit defence in the second half enabled the Otters to create scoring opportunities and to keep the Ravens at bay.

The Ravens took the lead after just three minutes when scrum-half Tom Grabham went around the covering defence from a tapped penalty to cross in the left corner for an unconverted try.

Narberth outside-half Craig Jones reduced the lead with a penalty three minutes later.

The Ravens did have another penalty opportunity, but the halfway line effort from full-back Grant Epton was wide of the mark.

Bridgend skipper and flanker Matthew Davies finished off a forward move after 15 minutes to cross for a try against his former team-mates and Epton added the two points from the conversion kick.

Half-an-hour into the match Craig Jones kicked his second penalty, this time from 40 metres, to reduce the deficit. However, the Ravens had the last word before the interval when flanker Luke Probert followed up to support an excellent move by the Bridgend backs to cross for a try converted by Epton.

Three minutes into the second half, the Otters started to fight back when hooker Aled Harries went over in the left corner in a move set up by the positional kicking of Aled Davies, who had come on the field at number 10 upon the restart. Craig Jones had moved to fullback and he continued his accuracy with the boot to convert the try from the touchline.

Luke Probert, who had scored the try for Bridgend, was yellow-carded just before the interval and his absence from the field was exploited by the Otters to create the try for Aled Harries.

Shortly afterwards, parity in numbers was restored, but once again Epton was off target with a penalty attempt, this time from 35 metres.

From the start of the second half, Aled Davies seemed to have acquired the Midas touch and, after playing a part in the first try, he set up the next for centre Steve Martin.

The long pass from Davies bounced just before reaching Martin, who needs only the smallest of gaps to cut through defensive lines.

He beat off the challenge of three defenders inside the Narberth half and ran clear to cross for a try under the posts, converted by Craig Jones.

For the first time in the match, the Otters were in front, but the lead was short-lived as centre Gareth Howells converted a short range penalty from inside the 22.

The Otters were determined to get back into the game, however, and once again Aled Davies created a try, this time by throwing out a long pass to Mark Heywood on the wing.

Heywood burst up the right touchline and, when he was hemmed in by the defenders, the ball was released to Davies, who played a one-two with Heywood for the winger to cross for a try, once again converted from an awkward angle by Craig Jones.

Acting skipper Justin Hughes was delighted with the second half revival.

Speaking after the match, he said: "We played pretty well with a number of first team regulars missing.

"Admittedly we were under pressure during the first half when our defence was below par, but in the second half we turned things around when Aled Davies came on to put in a quite outstanding performance.

"He put us in the right areas and we won the game as a result.

"Flanker Gareth Bateman has been playing well for the last two months, young hooker Aled Harries is coming along nicely and lock Alex Jenkins also had a good all-round game.

"It is important for the future that these younger players are coming through and stepping up to the mark.

"Bridgend came back strongly during the last 10 minutes, but our defence was brilliant. If it was like that in the first half, Bridgend would not have scored so many points and it was the best defence that we have shown all year."

Folly Farm Balcony Suite match sponsors, Folly Farm, of Begelly, together with Otters Holt match sponsors, Dawnus, selected centre Steve Martin as the Narberth man-of-the-match.

Trots Running Club of St. Clears were the match ball sponsors on the day.

Tomorrow (Saturday), Narberth are home to Builth Wells for the last Saturday home league match of the season.

The following Wednesday, April 28, Narberth are home to Carmarthen Athletic in a rearranged league fixture for the final league game of the season. Kick-off is at 7.15 pm.

Narberth fielded: Toby Smith, Tom Bonnell, Steve Martin, John Leyshon, Mark Heywood, Craig Jones, Andrew Davies, Sean Lloyd, Aled Harries, Justin Hughes (capt.), Ifan Davies, Alex Jenkins, Gareth Bateman, Simon Griffiths and Colin Davies.

Replacements: Tom Slater, Dan Smith, Tom Powell, Rhys Davies, Aled Davies and Steffan Phillips.