The Otters bounced back after their poor performance against Whitland to book a place in the Pembrokeshire Cup Final and at the same time gain revenge for their defeat at Crymych on Boxing Day in the Gareth Edward Memorial Trophy. Narberth played with the wind and the sun at their backs in the first half and managed to play a front row, with Narberth Athletic players Peter Rodway and Aubrey Young playing their hearts out against bigger opposition. The threequarters moved the ball well, Sion Brace made a number of excellent breaks from fullback and winger Rob Irving went over for three cracking tries. Commenting after the match, Narberth secretary Brian Toms said: "This was a real confidence builder before facing league leaders Bonymaen on Saturday and it was good to see the players coming off the pitch happy with their performance." Tom Lewis, the Narberth outside-half, opened the scoring with a penalty. After having a try disallowed for a foot in touch, Rob Irving got his name on the score sheet after 14 minutes following a great break by Sion Brace, supported by number eight Jamie Bohata, who drew two men before spinning the ball to Irving, who paced across in the corner. Tom Lewis converted the try by the Narberth winger. Crymych fought back with a catch and drive move from a lineout and scored an unconverted try through hooker Owain Williams. A 40-metre penalty by Tom Lewis increased the Narberth lead, which was extended before the interval by another try from Rob Irving after good work by Sion Brace, Wes Pooley, Jason Jennings and Mike Georgiou. Tom Lewis missed out on the conversion, but was successful with a penalty two minutes before the interval. In the second half, flanker Mathew Davies crossed for another Narberth try. After a rolling maul, Crymych were confused by the Narberth ploy of splitting the maul and Davies scored an unconverted try. With the Crymych players tiring, the visitors made hay when Tom Lewis ran 30 metres to score in the corner after a good passing movement by the Narberth backs. By this stage the Otters were winning the vast majority of possession and their higher fitness level and pace paved the way for Sion Brace, Steve Martin and Rob Irving to break the gain lines and offer more scoring chances. The last try was scored by Rob Irving to complete a fine hat-trick after a text-book passing movement along the line. Narberth will play Whitland in the final at Heywood Lane, Tenby, on Wednesday, May 17. Kick-off is at 6.30 pm and for the Narberth players it will be their sixth game in the space of 17 days in a packed programme of matches from this weekend.
