Narberth 6 pts. Whitland 9

On the day that British Summer Time ended for yet another year, the weather proved to be the decisive factor in this eagerly-awaited derby. There were no blue skies above, no firm footing below and as a consequence, there was no free-flowing rugby for the masses to enjoy.

As early as the 10th minute, the writing was on the wall for Narberth as the heavy overhead conditions necessitated that the floodlights be switched on. Saturday was a dark day for the home side, as any day is when they lose to Whitland.

Going into this match, they would have been confident of gaining a win. Home advantage, a recent run of good form and a full complement of players to choose from. In contrast, Whitland's magnificent start to the season had started to wane and, of course, they had lost inspirational captain Raff Williams the week before after he broke his arm against Tata Steel, not the best of build-ups to the biggest game of the season.

What the Borderers did have, though, was heart. Prior to the match, coach Randal Evans had asked them to show some and that's exactly what they did, especially in the second half when the elements were against them.

Narberth played against them first up and they showed enough to suggest they could overcome the 9-0 deficit they faced at half-time. They started well, gained the upper hand up front in the set-pieces and executed their pick-ups and driving mauls superbly. What let them down was the handling behind; they made too many errors, some of which were unforced, and ultimately that's what cost them the game.

Young Whitland fullback Scott Newton kicked three penalties in the first half and that's what sealed the game, although the stand-out performance came from visiting scrum-half Andrew Jenkins. He was a constant thorn in the side for Narberth, snapping at the heels of the scrums and rucks like a vicious terrier. Narberth may have dominated the majority of scrums, but he made a nuisance of himself throughout the afternoon.

At every opportunity he was ready to spoil the Narberth ball and he did so magnificently.

Narberth had their chances in the first half and given the ground their forwards made in stages, it was a surprise that they didn't cross. The best opportunity came when Aled Davies's cross-kick was gathered by Tom Bonnell, who passed to flanker Wayne Williams, but he knocked-on with the line beckoning. After that they rarely came close.

In fact, the only other piece of excitement came when a mass brawl erupted between both sets of forwards that led to Whitland lock Dai Ebsworth spending time in the blood bin.

In the match day programme, the veteran second row, who spent seven seasons with the Otters, was given a warm welcome by club stalwart, Ken Mathias , that obviously didn't extend to the pitch. Credit to him for coming back on, though, as his experience proved invaluable for Whitland, especially in the second half.

Narberth needed an early score after the break to ease any tensions and it came when fullback Adam Phillips slotted over a penalty.

A second came when Whitland flanker Ryan Michael was shown a yellow card that appeased home supporters who felt that many decisions were going against them. Crucially they didn't make the extra man count.

Davies utilised the cross-kicks to better effect than he did in the first half, yet the visiting defence stood firm. Narberth pushed, yet the harder they tried, the more they failed as more mistakes crept into their game.

Solid defence was required and that's exactly what Whitland delivered.

Harries had a chance to level matters with a penalty close to time, but pushed it wide - the relief on the faces of the Whitland players said it all.

It was an heroic second half performance by the green and whites, a fact not lost on home team coach Jon Dodd.

"I thought both sides played well against the wind and in the end it all boiled down to mistakes. We made too many and that's what cost us."

His opposite number concurred, adding his team deserved the win in testing conditions.

"It was never going to be a high scoring game, but I asked for heart and I asked for passion and that's what I got. I felt we controlled the game better and the boys certainly stood up. I couldn't have asked for any more."

Narberth: Adam Phillips, Johnny Morgan, Tom Bonnell, Richard Davies, Steve Martin (capt), Aled Davies, Adrian Killa, Sean Lloyd, Dan Smith, Tom Slater, Chris James, Alex Jenkins, Gareth Bateman, Timoci Kaumaitotoya, Wayne Williams. Replacements - Jake Iles, Colin Davies, Andrew Davies, Rhys Davies, Lewis Davies.

Whitland: Scott Newton, Will Davies, Mike Georgiou, Lee Glanville, Gary Evans, Jonathan Thomas, Andrew Jenkins, Gareth Lloyd, Marc Jones, Rhodri West, Carl Smith, Dai Ebsworth, Dylan Richards, Ryan Michael, Andrew Hawkins. Replacements - Rhys Jones, Chris Davies, Aled Harries, Huw Rees, Dion Thomas.