Narberth 15 pts. Cardiff 53

The Otters played out of their skins in the first half to draw level at half-time, but the superior fitness and ability of the Blue and Blacks gave the visitors the upper hand in the second half to book a place in the sixth round of the SWALEC Welsh Cup.

After indifferent weather, players and spectators were blessed with excellent conditions for rugby, although the pitch was a bit on the heavy side.

There was a bumper crowd, including 260 sponsors and guests, and a number of supporters from the Begelly and Kilgetty areas were there in the hope that Begelly boy Shaun James would get on the park for the Cardiff team.

Narberth supporters had dreams of a surprise result when the Otters took the lead after just 45 seconds of play when centre Steve Martin finished off a stunning move to score a try halfway out on the right. Unfortunately, outside-half Aled Davies was unable to convert.

The lead was short-lived as after six minutes the Blue and Blacks drew level when prop Ian George went over for a try from a Cardiff counter-attack, although outside-half Gareth Davies was off target with the conversion attempt.

Three minutes later, Davies was on target when he kicked a penalty from inside the Narberth 22.

The Otters had a chance to level the scores, but Aled Davies hooked a penalty kick to the left of the posts.

Lively open-side flanker Rhys Shellard broke away to extend the lead for the Cardiff team with a try converted by Gareth Davies.

After 36 minutes, a successful penalty kick by Aled Davies kept the Otters in touch and to lift the spirits of the Narberth supporters, fullback Matthew Davies went over for a try in the first minute of injury time for the Otters. It was a good handling movement started from a scrum and Davies touched down near the posts for Aled Davies to convert to make the score 15-apiece at the interval.

Within seven minutes of the restart, Cardiff number eight Craig Everett scored an unconverted try in the bottom left corner and 10 minutes later he scored again when he spotted a gap and went clear under the posts for a try converted by Gareth Davies.

Shaun James had come on to the field midway through the first half to replace Richard Jones and James made his presence felt after 59 minutes with a well-taken try converted by Gareth Davies.

In the last 10 minutes of the match, the Blue and Blacks scored three tries. The first by flanker Rhys Shellard was converted by Gareth Davies and then centre Darren Ryan went over for an unconverted try in the left corner.

The scoring for the afternoon was completed when replacement fullback Gareth Chapman scored the last try for the Blue and Blacks, which was converted by Gareth Davies.

Speaking after the match, Narberth's director of rugby, Jonathan Dodd, said: "As coaches we were very pleased with the effort of the players. Cardiff were the deserved winners and the game went away from us in the last 20 minutes.

"Cardiff are used to playing at that pace for 80 minutes. Our defence was excellent in the first half, there were some very good individual performances and it was a very good all-round team effort by the Narberth players.

"We showed that we can play at that level in short spells, but unfortunately we are not used to playing at that intensity throughout the match.

"The game went away from us in a 15-minute spell during the second half when Cardiff made the most of our mistakes.

"Nevertheless, it was a great day for the club. We were very pleased to host Cardiff and with the way which we played. Both teams played positive rugby and ran from all areas of the pitch, despite the heavy conditions, and we enjoyed the whole occasion.

"Cardiff have won their last six games in the premiership and put 35 points on Newport last week, so this result was no real disgrace and I don't think the score tells the whole story.

"Although not wishing to single out any individual player, skipper Justin Hughes deserves a mention in the way he led the side. His organisation and defence were outstanding and the experienced prop stood out in all aspects of play.

"All of the Narberth players are part-time players, whereas 14 of the Cardiff 22 are full-time professionals."

In the clubhouse later, Observer Sport took the opportunity to catch up with Shaun James. He was delighted to play a part in the game and said: "Following the cup match two years ago when we played Narberth at the Arms Park, I was really pleased to hear the draw for the cup this time and to learn that we would be travelling down here to Narberth. It was nice to come down as it was a big occasion, especially as I grew up just down the road. The spectators have turned out in force. The stand was full, the marquee was buzzing and spectators around three sides of the ground.

"We were glad that we put in a good performance, not only for the spectators, but also to show our respect for the Narberth team.

"In the first half we did not quite get into the structure of what we were trying to play. The Narberth team were more physical than we were in the contact area.

"In the second half we concentrated on our structures and our play in the contact area. As a result we played our best rugby which enabled us to win the game."

On being asked about his reaction upon scoring the try, James replied: "It is always nice to score a try and I heard a few boos and shouts from friends in the crowd! It was great to play and the Cardiff players really enjoyed the day."

Shaun now works in Cardiff as a business manager with the Royal Bank of Scotland. It is a change from playing rugby on a full-time basis, but he is enjoying the challenge and the role.

Narberth centre Steve Martin was nominated man-of-the-match. The Folly Farm Balcony Suite match sponsors were Garwood Edwards Electrical Contractor, together with Hains and Lewis Solicitors. The Otters' Holt match sponsors were GD Harries and Sons.

The marquee sponsors were Young Brothers, DP Building Supplies, Bill Ridge, Preseli Storage, Robert Lewis, Graham Searle, Mole Valley Services, Narberth Glass, Cefnogwyr Clunderwen, John Morris, John Mathias, Scaffold 2000, The Dorian Phillips Choir, Dingle Marquees, Emyr Davies, Crymych RFC and Sean Brace.

The match ball sponsors were Zena's Six Pack, Emyr Jenkins, Peter Barrett, The Landshipping Boys and Karen Jones and Friends.

Narberth fielded: Matthew Davies, Tom Bonnell (Richard Sharpe-Williams), Steve Martin, Richard Davies, Jonathan Morgan (Nick Jones), Aled Davies, Andrew Davies (Adrian Killa), Ryan Perrott (Tom Slater), Dan Smith (Gareth Flynn), Justin Hughes, captain, Chris James (David Ebsworth), Alex Jenkins (Jason Jennings), Gareth Bateman and Jamie Bohata.

Tomorrow (Saturday), Narberth are home to Maesteg.