After a superb start to their National League campaign, which saw them top the division one table back in the autumn, Narberth's season continues to falter.

On Saturday, they slipped to their 10th defeat in 17 matches, a disappointing run which has seen them now slump to 13th in the table.

Not that last weekend's result was totally unexpected as Newbridge are currently among the section's pace-setters, having won 12 of their 16 games to lie in fifth position.

Indeed, on current form, the Otters obviously went into the match as underdogs, but having defeated Newbridge at the Lewis Lloyd early in the season, hopes were high that they might be able to spring a surprise and complete a double over the Gwent side.

And, apparently showing no ill-effects from their long journey east, they certainly looked up for it in the opening stages as they took the game to their hosts, with outside-half Simon Daniel giving them the lead with a penalty after quarter-of-an-hour.

It was the signal for a ding-dong tussle between the two sides, who served up some entertaining early festive fare, with the result being in doubt throughout an absorbing contest.

Continuing to take the game to Newbridge, the Otters increased their advantage, when following a counter-attack, several players handled, before delighted prop Phil John received the final pass to crash over between the sticks.

Simon Daniel had no trouble in adding the extras and with a 10-point lead already in the bag, a surprise certainly seemed on the cards, with their backs looking particularly sharp when they had the ball in their hands.

But unfortunately that was not often enough, as the powerful Newbridge forwards held the upper hand up front and gradually began to turn the screw on the Otters.

They got themselves back into it midway through the half when a period of pressure on the Narberth line eventually told, with the Otters conceding a penalty try, which outside-half Jason Williams converted.

Narberth rallied quickly, however, and Simon Daniel again increased the lead with his second penalty afternoon.

Unfortunately, the Narberth smiles turned to grimaces soon after when Gareth Bennett was forced to leave the field with a shoulder injury.

Newbridge were quick to take advantage of the situation and hit back when hooker Darryl Williams crossed for an unconverted try to narrow the gap to just one point.

Indeed, the match ebbed and flowed throughout as Narberth again stormed back, with fullback Nick Jones producing a bit of magic inside the Newbridge 22 to cut through the defence for a superb individual try in the corner.

The touchdown went unconverted, but it still meant Narberth were six points to the good when the half-time whistle sounded.

That soon changed after the break, however, as Newbridge got their noses in front for the first time in the match when their skipper, flanker Damion Cooper, forced his way over for a try, converted by fly-half Jason Williams.

After that, the lead continued to change hands a number of times as Daniel and Williams exchanged a couple of penalties apiece, with the Newbridge man having the final say with a third to give his side a hard-earned victory.

Narberth also suffered further setbacks when flanker Matthew Evans, who had replaced Gareth Bennett, was also forced to leave the field through injury after suffering a nasty gash to his leg which required hospital treatment, while substitute hooker Craig Hawkins received his marching orders from referee Lyndon Williams following a touchline incident.

However, senior coach Keith Eaton, although disappointed with the defeat, was no doubt pleased with the commitment displayed by all the players on the field and will take particular pleasure in the performances of the back division.

This Saturday, December 20, Narberth travel to Penygraig in the fifth round of the Principality Welsh Cup.

On Boxing Day, Narberth Athletic will be home to Crymych in the Gareth Edwards Memorial Cup, whilst on Saturday, December 28, Narberth will resume their league campaign with an away fixture at Blackwood.

QUINS TOO STRONG

It was a disappointing day all round for Narberth, as their Athletic side also suffered defeat at the hands of near neighbours Carmarthen Quins.

The final score was 27-3 to the Quins, with Narberth's only points coming from a penalty by scrum-half Richard Morris.