Narberth maintained pole position in National League division two with a hard fought 29-19 win over Carmarthen Athletic on Saturday.

In typical local derby style, both sides battled hard, but it was the Otters' disciplined defence and their ability to sneak scores from the slightest of chances which eventually gave them the edge and a 4-3 try count.

With the Athletic back row putting pressure on Narberth in the contact zone, the visitors only had about 40 per cent of workable ball in this enthralling encounter, but they made sure that what possession they did win was used wisely.

Before a large home crowd, the Red and Blacks piled the pressure on the Otters from the off, and held a territorial advantage in the visitors' half for the majority of the opening quarter.

However, the resilient Otters defence held firm and they took the lead against the run of play when wing Andrew Jones sniped his way through on the blind side from lineout possession.

Skipper Simon Davies, leading by example as always, was on hand to receive the scoring pass, with Simon Daniel banging over the conversion to give the visitors a seven-nil lead.

Within minutes, the Athletic were back on terms, however, number eight Graham Evans finding a chink in the Narberth armour after a series of battering runs to grab a try and scrum-half Rickie Richard adding the extras.

Narberth hit back, again against the run of play, when powerhouse centre Andrew Bowen wrong-footed the Athletic cover, exploiting the narrow side to make ground before sending stand-off Daniel over for the touchdown.

Daniel converted his own try, but was unsuccessful with two penalty attempts, giving the Otters a 14-7 lead at the interval.

After the change around, Daniel increased the lead further with a snap drop goal from a lineout, and then pacy wing John Whitticombe added an unconverted try after fullback Aled Davies made ground up the middle.

Sitting on a comfortable lead, the Otters may have thought the game in the bag, but the resilient Red and Blacks hit back, with flanker Nick Morris picking up a touchdown from a quick tap penalty.

Richards again added the extras.

Substitute Tavita Manesitava marked his return to action after breaking his arm earlier in the season with the Otters' fourth try after Daniel chipped over the Athletic cover.

Daniel converted to bring his personal tally for the season to 159, but the game was not over, the Athletic hitting back with an unconverted try by fullback Kelvin Rees, following a break up the middle by centre Stephen Davies.

However, it proved to be the last score, with the Otters mounting an all enveloping defence to seal the win and keep them in a commanding position at the top of the table.

Tomorrow (Saturday), the Otters take a break from league action when they welcome first division Merthyr to the Lewis Lloyd in the next round of the Principality Welsh Cup.