In a thrilling, action-packed Pembrokeshire Chevron Knockout Cup Final, the Otters came out on top in the second half to defeat the cup holders who played most of the match with 14 men. The final could have been ruined as a spectacle after two minutes when Whitland flanker Phil Morgan received a red card, but the Borderers raised their game to such an extent that the match was played as if there had been parity in numbers. It was a blow to the Borderers to lose such an influential player and for spectators, most of whom considered that the piece of uncharacteristic retaliation should have just warranted a yellow card. Otters number eight Jamie Bohata gave his team the lead when he crossed for an unconverted try after forcing his way over the line in a blind side move from a scrum near the Whitland line. Borderers outside-half Aled Davies had a chance to reduce the lead with a penalty, but the kick hit the posts, and another penalty attempt minutes later was wide of the mark. After 31 minutes, Aled Davies made amends with a long range penalty which sailed between the posts. Within minutes he had doubled the Whitland score when he slotted over another penalty. Although the Borderers were playing with a man short, it was the Otters who were on the back foot for much of the first half. All of the Whitland players had raised their game and mounted a series of raids on the Narberth line. Six minutes before half-time, Whitland fullback Will Davies made a defence-splitting run. Although he was stopped in his tracks, the ball was recycled and it was Will Davies who crossed for a try, converted by Aled Davies, to give the Borderers a lead of eight points at the interval. At the start of the second half, the Otters came out like a different team. Whatever was said at half- time did the trick for the Narberth players, as within two minutes the Otters' fullback and captain Sion Brace crossed for an unconverted try. Outside-half Matthew Davies who ran the ball at every opportunity cut through the Whitland defence, but found his path to the line blocked. The ball was recycled and Brace went over for a try near the right corner when he was put away by scrum-half Adrian Killa. Centre Neil Davies then came into the action and he crossed for another unconverted try after his co- centre Steve Martin had paved the way with a searing break. Narberth winger Nick Jones, who had been unsuccessful with the conversion attempts, was also off target with a long-range penalty kick. For a while, the Borderers were down to 13 men when hooker Aled Harris had a yellow card. Lock forward Chris James extended the Narberth lead when he was on hand to finish off a move started by centre Steve Martin. This time the try by James was converted by Nick Jones. Although the Borderers were not as dominant in the second half as they had been at times in the first half, they were still in the game. A penalty midway through the half by Aled Davies brought Whitland back within touching distance of the Narberth score, which could have been overtaken with a converted try. It was not to be. The Narberth backs had the last word when outside-half Matthew Davies finished off a typical burst by flanker Lloyd Phillips with a try converted by Nick Jones. Commenting after the match, Narberth's director of rugby, Jonathon Dodd, said: "We are over the moon with the win. The boys played particularly well in the second half after we had been a bit ill- disciplined in the first half. It looked as if the occasion got to us a bit. "Full credit to Whitland for the way they played with 14 men from early on in the match and it was an excellent game of rugby. "Both sides attacked and wanted to win, although Whitland were down to 14 players. "We produced the goods with a very good second half performance to win the match and to cap a good season for the team. "I would like to thank all of the playing squad for their efforts throughout the season. As a club, it is particularly pleasing that all of the players in the squad have signed again for next season. "We can look forward to better things next year. The days when we had to field a pack without recognised props in some matches last season, including the local derby with Whitland in a match of uncontested scrums, seems a long time ago! "All of the Narberth team played well, but the team leadership of Sion Brace and the pack leadership of Justin Hughes played a key part in our win today. In addition, the pace of our backs, such as outside- half Matthew Davies and centre Steve Martin, when running off third or fourth phase possession opened up scoring opportunities." Earlier, Whitland team manager Frank Setaro said: "The sending off was a bit of a blow, but we stuck at it and were the better side in the first half. "We adapted to being a man short very well and had a deserved lead at half-time. "When Narberth scored two quick tries in the second half, we were under the cosh, but still stuck at it. "Eventually the two early tries combined with Narberth having an extra man killed us off. "All of the Whitland players had an outstanding game, with prop Alun Davies, flanker Raff Williams, both having great games up front and centre Lee Glanville had a number of exciting runs." The season is now over for the two clubs, both of whom finished in the top six of division one west. Although Whitland were unable to retain the Pembrokeshire Chevron Knockout Cup which they had won last year, their second string, Whitland Wanderers, won the Pembrokeshire Worthington Cup and their youth team won the Pembrokeshire Youth Cup in an exciting final played at Crymych. Narberth Athletic were runners-up in the Pembrokeshire Worthington Cup, but achieved their aim of qualifying for the Polypipe Civils Championship next season which has benefited the Whitland club so much. Both clubs should be congratulated on their efforts this season and in playing their part to show that there is a high standard of rugby played west of Carmarthen off the M4. Whitland fielded: Will Davies, Dion Thomas, Lee Glanville, Matthew Hughes (Gary Evans), Christian Roets, Aled Davies, Luke Marsh, Alun Davies, Aled Harries (Huw Devonald), Andrew Morillo (Alan Proctor), Carwyn Davies (Tom Dinan), Aled Evans, Raff Williams, Phil Morgan and Randall Williams (capt). Narberth fielded: Sion Brace (capt), Nick Jones, Steve Martin, Neil Davies (Richard Davies), Andrew Jones, Matthew Davies, Adrian Killa (Andrew Davies), Nathan Williams, Dan Smith, Justin Hughes, Chris James (Jason Jennings), Emori Katalau, Lloyd Phillips, Jack Mason and Jamie Bohata.