Narberth 16 pts. Maesteg 6

The Otters were made to graft by a resurgent Llynfi Valley team, but eventually Narberth clinched the result with an injury time penalty by outside-half Aled Davies.

The penalty not only denied Maesteg a sniff of victory, but also a bonus point which would have been invaluable to a team in the bottom four of the league.

By winning this match Narberth have held on to second place in the Division One West table and with Tonmawr losing quite heavily at Bonymaen, the Pelena Valley team are now five points behind Narberth.

Maesteg took an early lead after two minutes when outside-half Robbie Evans was successful with a difficult penalty kick from near the left touchline.

The lead was short-lived, however, as the Otters bounced back quickly from the re-start when centre Steve Martin appeared to scoop the ball out of a defender's hands to run clear and cross for an unconverted try.

Narberth extended their lead after 18 minutes when left wing Jonathan Morgan finished off a terrific handling movement. Winger Matthew Davies popped up in the middle of the park, before releasing Aled Davies, who threw out a well-judged pass so that Jonathan Morgan had a slight overlap to exploit. Morgan used the space to run clear and cross in the left corner, but Aled Davies was unable to convert against the wind.

A penalty kick by Robbie Evans from 30 metres reduced the deficit and there were no further scores before the interval.

Maesteg played well against the wind in the second half and the visitors' pack gave as good as they got.

However, after 10 minutes, Aled Davies lifted the spirits of his team-mates with a penalty kick from the halfway line, which sailed between the posts.

He was off target with another penalty five minutes later and the Otters were let off the hook, when a short distance penalty by Robbie Evans for Maesteg hit the left upright.

Both teams wrestled for advantage, but there were no further scores until injury time, when a penalty by Aled Davies from short range was on target to put the game out of reach as there was no time for the visitors to score twice.

Speaking after match, Narberth forwards coach Sean Gale said: "Although it was not an attractive game of rugby, we're beginning to learn to win, even if we have to win ugly.

"We were up against a very good and experienced Maesteg side who were excellent up front. Without being at our best, we still managed to achieve our sixth consecutive league win since losing at home to Carmarthen Athletic at the end of October.

"Maesteg were very organised and had a good attitude. Conditions suited their style of play, but we managed well, defended well and other results went our way.

"Players and coaches have worked very hard and this result is a testament to the players who have picked up the winning habit and do not like losing.

"Although Maesteg were up for it, we defended well and after playing well for 50 minutes against Cardiff in the cup last week, we have put in an 80 minutes performance to hold on to second place in the table.

"Skipper Justin Hughes at prop and young lock Alex Jenkins both had an outstanding work rate, flanker Gareth Bateman carried the ball well and behind the scrum it was good to see fullback Sion Brace back in action after his injury. He brings a lot of resolve and enthusiasm to the team.

"Centre Steve Martin looked dangerous with the ball in hand and outside-half Aled Davies kicked well."

Young lock forward Alex Jenkins was nominated man-of-the-match by the The Folly Farm Balcony Suite match sponsors, Young Bros of Llandissilio.

The match ball sponsors were HSBC, St. Clears Running and Orienteering Club, Ian and Cynthia Evans, together with Penry Harries, Woody and Wendy, of the Angel Inn, Narberth, and the Narberth RFC Former Players Association.

Tomorrow (Saturday), Narberth are without a league fixture because of the Wales international match against Scotland at Murrayfield on Sunday, February 8.

Narberth fielded: Sion Brace, Jonathan Morgan, Steve Martin (Neil Davies), Richard Davies, Matthew Davies, Aled Davies, Adrian Killa (Andrew Davies), Ryan Perrott (Tom Slater), Dan Smith, Justin Hughes, captain, David Ebsworth (Jason Jennings), Alex Jenkins, Gareth Bateman, Rion Whatmore (Thabani Sangwani) and Jamie Bohata.