Whitland 28 pts. Narberth 12
The Borderers needed no incentive to gain this emphatic local derby win at home to Narberth.
The knowledge that the Otters would arrive unbeaten and leading the Division One West league table would have set hearts and minds going long before kick-off at the sun-drenched Parc Llwyn Ty Gwyn ground.
If any side would halt the Otters' progress, it was likely to be Whitland in a local derby and when the match ended, Narberth had been overtaken at the top of the table by Bridgend.
The blending of a new look Whitland side had been taking place in the earlier matches and on this performance Parc Llwyn Ty Gwyn will be a fortress repelling visiting sides for the rest of the season, wherever the opposition might be in the Division One pecking order.
A three-nil try count in Whitland's favour says it all about the match, as the dangerous Otters backs were not let off the hook and posed little threat to the Whitland line, whilst any attacks by the visitors were blocked by some sterling defence with bone-shaking tackles to prevent the high-flying Otters from crossing the line.
In addition, although the contest up front was even, with Narberth possibly having a slight advantage, the creation and the ability to finish off chances enabled the Borderers to build up a lead steadily throughout the match.
Spectators had hardly taken up their places when Whitland supporters were on their feet in the first minute of the game as centre Gary Evans finished off an exciting passing movement to race over for a try converted by scrum-half Huw Rees.
Narberth outside-half Aled Davies clawed back three points with a long distance penalty kick, which was soon cancelled out with a second penalty from Huw Rees midway through the half.
An opportunistic goal by Carwyn Jones increased the Whitland lead and then the outside-half scored a terrific solo try.
He chipped the ball ahead just outside the Narberth 22, gathered it with his right hand and burst though to touch down for an unconverted try.
Huw Rees and Aled Davies then traded penalty kicks, before referee Darren Evans, of Liverpool, blew the half-time whistle.
Any question of wind advantage was soon ruled out. In the second half, despite being against the cross-wind, Whitland continued to exert control.
Although Aled Davies reduced the deficit midway through the half, the outcome would soon be settled beyond any reasonable doubt by a try from Luke Kendall, one of four former Otters in the Whitland side. The way that they all played had Narberth supporters begging the question as to why they were no longer in the Otters strip.
The match-winning try after 26 minutes started when lock Raff Williams picked up a loose ball in a lineout near the halfway line.
He passed to Aidan Laxton, who in turn slipped the ball inside to hooker Trystan Griffiths, before Griffiths released skipper Ryan Michael for a break up field.
Michael cut through the Narberth defence and, as usual, number eight Luke Kendall was in support and he crossed for the try converted by Huw Rees.
There was no way back for the Otters and an injury time penalty by Huw Rees confirmed Whitland's ascendancy.
Whitland's spokesman Richard Merriman was beaming after the match when he said: "We came into the game as underdogs and were absolutely awesome. The forwards controlled things well, our defence was outstanding and Narberth lacked ideas behind, although they competed up front.
"We deserved to win and you could name every player in the squad as they all played out of their skins and we had strength on the bench.
"We had a bit of luck with one of the tries with the bounce of the ball, but we took our chances well.
"Young lock Aidan Laxton had an excellent game in his first local derby of this nature, captain Ryan Michael led by example, lock Raff Williams and number eight Luke Kendall had their usual very good games, outside-half Carwyn Jones had some nice touches and centre Mike Georgiou had a top class all-round game and was like a man possessed in defence."
Narberth director of rugby Jonathan Dodd agreed that Whitland deserved to win.
Commenting immediately after the match, he said: "I have no complaint about the result, we were fully outgunned. Whitland played a very good kicking game which reaped dividends.
"We did not deal with it effectively and Whitland took full advantage of our shortcomings to score the points."
Nat West Ladies, representing the many sponsors, selected lock Raff Williams as man-of-the-match.
In making the presentation, Sue Davies said that the sponsors could have chosen any one of the players, but decided that Raff Williams deserved the award for the role he played in the match.
The match sponsors were Classic Kitchens, Whitland, Ron Mounsey, McDonalds of Haverfordwest, Carmarthen and Swansea and Molson Coors.
The team sponsors were Penderi Pine, Whitland, Haverfordwest Coins, Bargain Box, Narberth, Tony (Butties Bar) and Colin J. Harries Butchers, Whitland.
The match ball sponsors were NatWest Ladies, K. P. Thomas and Son, Fuel Distributors, Templeton, Ben Freeman and Friends, Simon Allen, Allen and Partners, Whitland, D. P. Building Suppliers, Llanboidy, Ieuan Griffiths, Builder, Whitland, and Ken Davies and Son, Funeral Directors, Clunderwen.
Whitland fielded: Johnny Morgan, Dion Thomas, Gary Evans, Mike Georgiou, Will Davies, Carwyn Jones (Jonathan Thomas), Huw Rees, Gareth Lloyd, Trystan Griffiths (Marc Jones), Andrew Jones (Aled Richards), Raff Williams (Dylan Richards), Aidan Laxton, Jack Mason (Celt Thomas), Ryan Michael, capt., Luke Kendall.
Narberth fielded: Roger Davies, Nick Jones (Richard Davies), Steve Martin, Lee Glanville, Tom Bonnell, Aled Davies, Adrian Killa (Andrew Davies), Sean Lloyd (Tom Slater), Dan Smith, Justin Hughes (captain), Jason Jennings, Alex Jenkins, Gareth Bateman, Wayne Williams (Simon Griffiths) and Lewis Wood (Jim Kaumahotoya).