Life could not be much better for Whitland at this stage of the season.
Sitting pretty at the top of Division One West, the Borderers are still partying following their emphatic win at Narberth last Saturday with a four-nil try count.
The match turned on its head in an explosive period of 15 minutes just before and just after the interval.
In the space of five minutes at the end of the first half, two Otters' threequarters were yellow-carded to allow the Borderers to take the match by the scruff of the neck with an unconverted try before the break and two converted tries in the opening stages of the second half.
Narberth had held firm for most of the first half in the face of a series of Whitland attacks, with the visitors' threequarter line looking particularly dangerous.
In fact, Narberth had taken an early lead through a penalty by outside-half Craig Jones, who missed out on two further attempts during the half, and Aled Davies, the Borderers' fly-half, did not fare much better.
After being off target with a drop-goal attempt after eight minutes, Davies shaved the posts with a penalty from 30 metres after 21 minutes and was wide again five minutes later with another penalty attempt from 37 metres.
Just when it seemed that Narberth would end the first half in the lead, the match changed dramatically.
Firstly, Narberth centre Neil Davies was yellow-carded and when he was off the field the Borderers used the advantage of numbers to cross for an unconverted try in the right corner, scored by fullback Carwyn Jones.
There was even more anguish for Narberth supporters as Craig Jones was yellow-carded before the conversion was taken and when it was, Aled Davies missed out on a difficult kick from the touchline.
After the break, the Otters found it impossible to plug the leaks with two threequarters missing.
Aled Davies, who had played for Narberth for the last two seasons before returning to Whitland, increased the lead in the first minute of the second half when he surged through a gap in the defence to touch down for a try near the posts, which he converted himself.
Less than 10 minutes later, a lead of seven points became a lead of 14 points when Davies again sliced through the Narberth defence to feed centre Aled Jones, who raced over for a try, which again was converted by Davies.
Although the Otters tried to get back into the game when numbers were restored, it was too late to make any impact on the scoreline, as the visitors defended resolutely and Narberth attacks broke down.
Although Otters' supporters were delighted to see Craig Jones back at outside-half after a long lay-off, he was not 100 per cent match fit and unable to control the game, whereas his opposite number, Aled Davies, kept the backs moving and kicked well out of hand .
Some Narberth supporters were hoping for miracles, but hope faded after 74 minutes when Whitland captain and centre Lee Glanville found his way over the line for a try. He was fed in a blind side move from a scrum and Aled Davies confirmed that the Borderers had the Midas touch in this local derby when he converted from the touchline.
Influential Whitland number eight Randall Williams was yellow-carded after 78 minutes, but by this stage any dreams of a Narberth try-scoring spree had long since vanished.
Commenting after the match, Borderers spokesman Richard Merriman said: "A bonus point victory at Narberth was a case of thank you very much. In fact, we should have had a bigger scoreline, but we missed some key kicks before the interval.
"The boys played well and the return of Randall Williams at number eight made a difference and there were good performances up front by Raff Williams at lock, hooker Trystan Griffiths, tight-head prop Richard Smith, who was recovering from the flu, and by flankers Jack Mason and Ryan Michael.
"Behind the scrum, centre Aled Jones showed his mettle and James Stephenson, who is still eligible for youth rugby, looked a natural, whether he played on the wing or at full-back.
"With the exception of the return of Aled Davies from Narberth and the transfer of scrum-half Huw Rees to Whitland from Crymych, we have the same squad as last year. In addition, Carwyn Jones has returned from a serious injury.
"The boys have kept together and that is reflected in the way we play, although to be top of the table at this stage of the season would have been beyond our expectations before the season started.
"Although anything can happen in a local derby, we kept our heads and we took full advantage of the situation when Narberth were reduced to 13 players after the two yellow cards were issued.
"One try before half-time and two converted tries in the first minutes of the second half meant effectively that the game was over and you could say that a score of 26-10 flatters Narberth.
"After making a family visit to Yorkshire at the end of the week, I was a bit nervous about the game driving back home this morning as you never know what might happen in these matches.
"We scored four good tries, but the first on the stroke of half time came at a crucial point of the game and meant that we went into half time 5-3 up.
"In the second half we scored two quick converted tries to kill off Narberth."
Narberth's director of rugby, Jonathan Dodd, conceded that Whitland deserved to win on the day.
Commenting he said: "We were very fortunate to get away with such a light score. Whitland were full value for their win and they played good rugby against us.
"Whilst we have so many injured players it is going to be tough. As weeks go by, we begin to get our injured players back.
"We are still depleted, but the effort was there today, although we still revealed our inexperience.
"From now on it must be a case of onwards and upwards and we will have a crack at Bridgend Athletic away next Saturday."
On being questioned about individual performances, he said: "Scrum-half Rhys Davies and fullback Gethin Salter played very well on their first team debut. Both the youngsters have a lot of talent and they put their hands up for future selection.
"Having the young players taking responsibility like this will be great when the injured players return."
Match sponsors Mole Valley Services and Cefnogwyr Clunderwen (Clunderwen Supporters) nominated Otters flanker Colin Davies as the man-of-the-match.
Match ball sponsors were the Landshipping Boys, Narberth RAOB Social Club, John Day, Peter Spacey, Garnet Bowen and Neil Rossiter.
Marquee sponsors were Lyndon Belt, of Templeton Beer, Wine and Spirit Company, Ken Morgan Design and Building Management, Morgan La Roche, together with Llewellyn Davies and Company, Graham Searle, Andrew Young, Gwen and Paul Brenchley, Ian Harries, Dorian Phillips and Partners, DP Building Supplies, Alexander Partnership, Narberth Posties and Bill Ridge.
Tomorrow (Saturday), Narberth face another difficult fixture away to Bridgend Athletic at Newbridge Fields and Whitland also face a challenging test as the Borderers are home to Felinfoel, who are more than holding their own this season and never know when they are beaten.
Both matches will kick-off at 2.30 pm.
Narberth fielded: Gethin Salter, Jonathan Morgan, Neil Davies, Richard Davies (capt), Matthew Davies, Craig Jones, Rhys Davies, Tom Slater, Dan Smith, Justin Hughes, Chris James, Alex Jenkins, Timoki Kaumahotoya, Colin Davies, Sam Smith. Replacements - Aled Harries, William Russell, Richard Sharpe-Williams, Andrew Davies, Mark Heywood.
Whitland fielded: Carwyn Jones, James Stephenson, Aled Jones, Lee Glanville (capt), Will Davies, Aled Davies, Huw Rees, Alun Davies, Trystan Griffiths, Richard Smith, Raff Williams, Carwyn Davies, Jack Mason, Ryan Michael, Randall Williams. Replacements - James Davies, Dion Thomas, Mark Jones, Alan Proctor, Celt Thomas.