Narberth 3 pts. Newbridge 32

This game was won and lost in the first half when the visitors exposed weaknesses in the Narberth defence to run in three tries, in a performance which rivalled that of the Otters' backs at Newbridge earlier in the season. Newbridge centre Dan Morris opened the scoring after 14 minutes with a try halfway out on the right, converted by outside-half Greg Jones. Within minutes, the visitors had touched down in the opposite corner when winger Ryan Jenkins finished off a clever switch of play, which had created an overlap on the left, and Jenkins scored in the left corner, although Jones was off target with the conversion attempt. Within minutes, Greg Jones had made amends by slotting over a penalty from just outside the Narberth 22. Narberth scrum-half Darren Allison was making his home debut and he did well to kick a penalty with his left foot from a difficult angle to reduce the deficit. Allison was off target with a subsequent penalty attempt, before Bridge increased their lead with a push-over try in the right corner, scored by number eight Geraint Gladwin, which was not converted. Allison had a chance at a long-range penalty attempt in first half injury time, but the ball shaved the right upright. Newbridge emphasised their authority by scoring immediately upon the restart when outside-half Greg Jones finished off a flowing movement with a try in the left corner, converted by centre Greg Callow. Ten minutes later, Greg Jones picked up his second try of the match in the left corner following a counter-attack from an interception, but Callow was unable to convert. That try brought the points scoring for the afternoon to an end, as the Otters, having regained their composure, started to play some rugby and threatened the Newbridge line on a number of occasions. Unfortunately, penetration stopped short of the line, but the performance during the last 20 minutes will have encouraged the players and coaches prior to the visit to Fleur De Lys tomorrow (Saturday). Senior coach Jonathan Dodd recognised the performance of the well-drilled Newbridge outfit when he said after the match: "We were totally outplayed today by a pretty good side. Newbridge were very good up front, the team did the basics very well and forced Narberth to concede penalties and to make mistakes. "Newbridge took advantage of some defensive errors to cross for tries in the first half and the visitors built up a substantial lead. "It was only in the last 20 minutes that we started playing and to put some phases together. "We fielded a makeshift pack today, but the team should get stronger over the next few weeks as players start returning from injury. Our threequarters have been a bit slap-happy in recent weeks after playing so well before Christmas. However, there were signs during the closing stages of this match that they are getting their act together again." Number eight Lewis Wood had an excellent all- round game for the Otters and his performance was recognised by the match sponsors, Young Brothers, of Llandissilio, and the Templeton supporters, who nominated Wood as the man of the match. Schoolboy Darren Allison had an excellent game with his slick passing and substitute scrum-half Andrew Davies also played well when he came on the field. The Narberth plans before the match were thrown into disarray when hooker Simon Delaney failed to appear, but Fifitipuku Falatau stepped into the breach and Alan Phillips took the place of Falatau as tight-head prop, even though Phillips was not quite 100 per cent fit after recovering from his rib injury. Narberth field: Mathew Davies (Phil Thomas), Daniel Shooter (Rob Irving), Steve Martin, Neil Davies; Mike Georgiou, Wes Pooley, Darren Allison, Martin Bowen, Fifitipuku Faletau, Alan Phillips; David Ebsworth, Emori Katalau (capt), Chris James (Rob James), Adrian Chiffi and Lewis Wood.