Narberth 34 pts.

Llanelli 15

In an accomplished display, the Otters had the better of their Llanelli rivals in a match, which produced eight tries.

Throughout the afternoon, both sides had to contend with a severe south-west gale gusting at times to over 50 mph. As a result, place kicking was a precarious occupation and only two of the eight tries were converted.

Both teams entered into the spirit of the new relationship between the two clubs with an excellent afternoon's rugby, much appreciated by the supporters of both teams. In the first half, the Otters had a wind advantage, although whether with such a strong wind is such an advantage is debatable.

Immediately it was evident that the conditions were effecting the throwing in at the lineouts and as a result Narberth failed to use their first five throw-ins. The conditions suited the Llanelli lineout better and Kevin Allen, playing for Llanelli on permit from Narberth, made immediate contact with the Llanelli lineout jumpers.

Spectators did not have to wait long for the first score, which came after 10 minutes. The Otters produced slick hands with outside-half Gareth James finding mobile hooker Craig Hawkins, who kicked the ball with a deft touch to the bottom corner. Wingers Daniel Gravell and Andrew Jones chased the ball and Gravell scored the first of his three tries. The conversion attempt by Gareth James was missed.

With both teams intent on displaying their attacking instincts, the Llanelli pack made a cohesive attempt to work the ball up field playing possession rugby.

In one such move, winger Gareth Wright was forced into touch a short distance from the line.

Llanelli applied pressure from the subsequent lineout and a penalty was awarded three yards out. Lock forward Bryn Griffiths seized the opportunity to cross for an unconverted try.

The Otters regained the lead when number eight Gareth Bennett picked up the ball from a scrum near the Llanelli line. He released scrum-half Adrian Killa to cross for a try in the corner, which was converted by Gareth James in extremely difficult conditions.

The visitors bounced back before half-time with an unconverted try through centre Mark Sweeney to reduce the deficit to just two points at the interval.

At the start of the second half, both teams made substitutions. Narberth supremo Robert Phillips brought on Andrew Bowen for Elgan Vittle in the centre, Barry Davies for Fifipuku Faletau in the front row, Katilimoni Tuipulotu for Gary Denver, who was playing his first game after a long layoff, hooker Simon Delaney replaced Craig Hawkins, who moved to the back row, with Emori Katalau replacing young lock Ifan Davies.

Llanelli also made two changes, with Adrian Williams replacing winger Gareth Wright and Celt Thomas coming into the back row.

Within minutes, both teams were reduced to 14 men when Craig Hawkins, of Narberth, and Celt Thomas, of Llanelli, were yellow carded at the same time.

The loss of a player in each team did not stop the tries being scored and Daniel Gravell showed his pace and determination when he picked up a rolling ball to sprint over 60 yards up the touchline for an unconverted try in the top corner.

Gravell was involved again in Andy Warner's try a couple of minutes later. Gravell combined with Andrew Jones before fullback Andy Warner was released to cross in the clubhouse corner.

Gravell completed a fine display by outpacing the Llanelli covering defence to score a spectacular unconverted try in the top corner. In the process he picked up a niggling injury and was replaced by popular clubman Gary Nicholas and at the same time Richard Morris came on for Gareth James.

Llanelli got back into the action when lock Bryn Griffiths crossed for his second try of the match, again from a quickly taken tap penalty.

Substitute lock Jason Jennings scored the last of the Narberth tries after good work in the loose by Emori Katalau. Richard Morris converted with aplomb from the touchline.

The Folly Farm Balcony Suite match sponsors were Dingle Marquee Hire, of Narberth, and the Otters' Holt match sponsors were shanks.waste solutions, of Cwmgwili and Milton Keynes. The match ball sponsors were Redstone Rovers, of Narberth, Jones Brothers Builders, of Narberth, and the Dragon Inn, of Narberth.

After the match, players and spectators enjoyed watching the international from Twickenham between England and Wales. There was a terrific atmosphere in the packed clubhouse. In addition to the Narberth and Llanelli supporters, there were visitors from Worcester Rugby Club watching the match, as a team from Worcester had played Narberth in an under 14 match. The visitors from across Offa's Dyke enjoyed the traditional Narberth hospitality. They participated in the afternoon's entertainment with renditions of 'Sweet Chariot', with the Welsh supporters singing the well-known Hymns and Arias.

The Worcester officials also received a presentation from the Narberth officials.

Narberth fielded: Andy Warner, Andrew Jones, Deiniol Evans, Elgan Vittle (Andrew Bowen), Daniel Gravell (Gary Nicholas), Gareth James (Richard Morris), Adrian Killa (Chris Macdonald), Filipuku Faletau (Barry Davies), Craig Hawkins, Alan Phillips (Capt), David Ebbsworth (Jason Jennings), Ifan Davies (Emori Katalau), Gary Denver (Katilmoni Tuipulotu), Gareth Bennett and Emori Katalau (Simon Delaney).