BUILTH WELLS 16 pts NARBERTH 30

There's still no stopping Narberth. The omnipotent Otters marched through to the fourth round of the Principality Welsh Cup on Saturday with a well deserved victory over Builth Wells.

A division higher than their opponents, Narberth went into the match as favourites to progress in the competition, but the mid-Wales team have proved something of a thorn in their side in recent years, and so could not be discounted.

But the Otters, buoyed by their current table-topping success in division two of the National League, were in no mood to let the Bulls have the run of the field this time.

In fact, it was a match in which something had to give, for like Narberth in division two, Builth Wells were also unbeaten in division three.

And one could see why, for the determined young home side played some excellent rugby to keep the Otters on their toes throughout.

But it was Narberth who set the ball rolling as, revelling in the superb conditions, they got off to a flying start.

In fact, the first score came soon after kick-off when pacy winger Andrew Jones, fresh from his try hat-trick exploits against Seven Sisters the week before, crossed under the posts after a well worked move.

Outside-half Aled Davies had no problem in adding the extras to give Narberth the early lift they were looking for.

Builth Wells, backed by some vociferous home support, were obviously not going to roll over, however, and hit back when former Welsh youth outside-half Jamie Brown banged over two penalties to cut the deficit to just a single point.

Brown also landed an opportunist drop goal before the end of the half, but not before the Otters had extended their lead courtesy of a penalty goal by Aled Davies and a second try by winger Andrew Jones, who certainly seems to have the scoring touch at the moment.

The try followed a powerful burst through the centre by the impressive Andrew Bowen. Emori Katalau also played his part, before a pass was released to Jones who shrugged off a couple of defenders to touchdown. This time the try went unconverted to leave the half-time score at 15-9.

Aled Davies had a chance to increase that advantage soon after the turnaround, but was off target with a long range penalty from near halfway, but it was not long before winger Jones was back in the limelight.

Receiving a long pass from fly-half Davies, Jones again showed his skills and strength to break through the Builth defences and bag his second hat-trick in as many weeks.

Brown failed to reduce the arrears when he pulled a penalty attempt wide, and Narberth again increased their lead when John Whitticombe crossed for a try after good work by Andrew Bowen, Aled Davies and fullback Andrew George, who used his searing pace to create the space out wide for the winger to outstrip the defence.

This time fly-half Davies was successful with the conversion attempt and when he added a penalty soon after, Narberth were virtually out of sight.

But the young Bulls did not let their head drop. They fought right to the end and were eventually rewarded when substitute centre Chris Ower crossed for a consolation try, converted by outside-half Brown.

It was to prove the last score of what had been an entertaining match, with the delighted Narberth finally laying their Builth Wells bogey to rest.

Not surprisingly, Andrew Jones was nominated as man of the match for the second week running - six tries in two outings is not a bad haul!

Tomorrow (Saturday), Narberth return to league action when they entertain promotion rivals UWIC at the Lewis Lloyd ground, where a large crowd is expected.