Tondu 18 pts. Narberth 20

A stirring second half fightback by the Otters, capped by a late penalty kick from outside-half Nick Jones, enabled the visitors to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat to move to the top of the Division One West league table for the first time this season.

This division of the league is so tight, that there is little margin for error and the previous leaders Llangennech lost at Llanharan to slip down the table to third place, to be overtaken by Narberth and Tata Steel, who are snapping at the heels of the Otters.

The reference to Steel triggers off a memory of what one ardent Narberth supporter and blogger said after the match. Commenting on the way in which the Narberth players refused to lie down, he said "Something has happened to this team. Even with more or less the same set of players, there was a time when we would not have come back into the game at 15-7 down at half-time.

"The boys have more steel these days and are not defeated until the final whistle blows."

Despite their position in the league table, Tondu are a difficult side to play at Pandy Park, especially in persistent fine drizzle and a stiff crossfield wind, on a day which made it unpleasant for players, officials and spectators.

They are a big side and deserved to be 15-7 up at half-time after tries by flanker David Griggs and winger Mark Roberts, one of which was converted by fullback Dean Thomas, who also kicked a penalty.

Industrious Otters number eight Timoci Kaumaitotoya scored a try from a lineout near the Tondu line after good work by the pack to level the scores to cancel out the first Tondu try, as Nick Jones judged his conversion kick to perfection.

At the start of the second half, Nick Jones, who had moved at this stage from outside-half to the wing, clawed back three points with a penalty kick and, although Dean Thomas kicked another penalty for the Waterwheelers, the Otters fought back with the try of the match.

It came from a move started by alert fullback Jonathan Morgan, who caught an attempted kick up field for position by the Waterwheelers.

Morgan sprinted up the left flank, making excellent use of any gaps on offe,r and then cut inside, before releasing the dangerous centre Steve Martin, who raced over the line for a try, converted by Nick Jones.

This score brought the deficit down to just one point.

Could Narberth go a step further and grab a win? The answer was yes, as a penalty was awarded to the visitors in the last five minutes of the match on the 22 and in front of the posts.

It was a real pressure kick for the utility player who has served the Otters faithfully for eight seasons.

Jones had kicked well from the spot throughout the match, but apart from the result hanging in the balance, there was the tricky crossfield wind to contend with, as well as the rain.

In these most testing conditions, his ice cool temperament enabled him to convert the short range penalty to give his team a victory which even the most optimistic supporter would have found it hard to believe possible at the interval.

The forwards then finished off an excellent display to retain possession and prevent Tondu from having any further opportunity to regain the lead.

Midway through the second half, both teams were reduced to 14 players as Narberth flanker Gareth Bateman and Tondu winger Darren Thomas received their marching orders with red cards.

It followed an outbreak of fisticuffs between the two teams. The resultant penalty was awarded to Narberth, but Nick Jones was unable to convert the lick from near the touchline.

Head coach Sean Gale was impressed with the resilience and tenacity of the Narberth team. Speaking immediately after the match in the changing room, he said: "It was a very good win in the conditions. Tondu play a limited game, but do it very well and they also used the wind and the pitch to their advantage, with their ball carrying forwards.

"Our players scored two cracking tries, as well as missing some opportunities, but the way we fought back in the last half-hour was terrific. Then, in the last five minutes, we closed the game down after Nick Jones kicked the penalty, and prevented Tondu from having the ball.

"Tondu were a very competitive side and well coached by former Welsh international scrum-half Gerald Williams.

"It was a great result, with a very workmanlike performance."

New additions to the squad, replacement outside-half Stuart Morris and replacement lock forward Giles Vaughan, both slotted in very well. Lock Alex Jenkins worked hard up front, behind a superb front row and runners Steve Martin along with Jonathan Morgan made full use of any ball available, after the departure of winger Tom Bonnell through injury.

Narberth fielded: Jonathan Morgan, Tom Bonnell, Steve Martin (capt.), Richard Davies, Adam Phillips, Nick Jones, Andrew Davies, Sean Lloyd, Dan Smith, Tom Slater, Chris James, Alex Jenkins, Gareth Bateman, Wayne Williams and Timoci Kaumaitotoya.

Replacements - Lewis Davies, Giles Vaughan, Rob Weston, Stuart Morris and Gareth Owen.