After Whitland had monopolised proceedings in the first half, the Otters took control in the second half to run in three tries to take the lion's share of the points. The strong north-easterly wind was difficult to contend with at times and on a day when it was not easy to stand up, wind advantage was a strictly mixed blessing. The ball was difficult to control whether passing or kicking out of hand. In fact, both teams found it somewhat easier to play against the wind. Delighted and a little relieved about the win, Narberth's director of rugby, Jonathon Dodd, said: "Full credit to Whitland. It was a typical derby game, but there was a fair bit of rugby played in an intensely competitive match. "Whitland had much the better of it in the first half against the wind. In contrast, we failed to make use of the wind, but they did very well, particularly with some strong drives by the pack in getting over the gain line. "We were disappointed by the first half performance, but full credit to Whitland who kept the ball very well. They had some big ball carriers, particularly the second rows Raff Williams and Carwyn Davies together with flanker Ryan Michael, who topped things off by creating Whitland's first half try. "Whitland came at us in the first half and we just about held on. At half- time we were a bit relieved to be going into the changing rooms at only 7-3 down. "We were very pleased with the second half performance when we got back into our winning habit. "In seasons gone past we would have lost this game, but we managed to do to Whitland in the second half what they did to us in the first half. "We kept the ball away from Whitland, played in the right areas of the pitch and got up to the 22 to force some mistakes and as a result scored three tries. "Today the local derby produced a good game of rugby in the conditions and everyone contributed. We maintained our winning sequence and we have not lost a league match since playing away to Llangennech in November." Although reluctant to single out players, Dodd continued by saying: "As usual, flanker Andrew Dennis played well. Andrew Davies and his replacement Adrian Killa both put in big performances at scrum-half, lock Alex Jenkins had a great game and there were some good runs in attack and defence from wingers Nick Jones and Tom Bonnell." Borderers' spokesman Richard Merriman watched the match and summed things up by saying: "We were in control during the first half, but in the second half Whitland made some mistakes and were punished by the Narberth team. "Strangely enough, both sides played better against the wind and Narberth came flying at us in the second half. "If we could have carried on the intensity of our first half performance we would have won. The Narberth scrum was stronger, but overall the Whitland pack put in a good performance. The average age of the Whitland front row is under 22. Prop Alun Davies was excellent in the loose, hooker Mark Jones was outstanding, lock Raff Williams had a huge game and number eight and captain Randall Williams led by example in a typical all-round performance. "In addition, flanker Ryan Michael caused problems for the Narberth defence, particularly in the first half when his speed off the mark created the Whitland try. "Behind the scrum we were not quite so good. Although Narberth are the form team at the moment, these things go out of the window in a local derby. "We can look back and say it was another game which we did not close out, but Narberth were stronger behind the pack. "Overall it was a good game. Both teams tried to play rugby in the difficult conditions. We took our foot off the gas a little in the second half and Narberth moved the ball wide to score the tries." Narberth had a chance to take the lead after nine minutes. Outside-half Aled Davies attempted a penalty kick, but the wind took the ball to the left of the posts. Whitland dominated the early exchanges and seemed set to take the lead after 16 minutes when scrum-half Jonathan Morgan was put away. The young scrum-half cut inside and appeared to be clear of defenders until his progress to the line was stopped when Narberth winger Nick Jones chased and dived to bring Morgan down yards short of the line with an ankle tap. Aled Davies had found kicking for touch and for position difficult in the strong wind, with balls going out of play behind the posts and his touch kicks going into touch without bouncing. However, when he attempted a long distance penalty from the halfway line after 23 minutes the wind helped as he kicked the ball between the posts to put his team in front. Eventually the Borderers had just reward for their efforts when a break by livewire flanker Ryan Michael up the right touchline created a try. His run made space for winger Dion Thomas to run clear of the covering defenders to cross for a try converted by outside-half Emyr Williams against the wind. The Borderers had a lead of four points at the interval, but it was short-lived. Six minutes into the second half, scrum-half Andrew Davies made the most of breaks by winger Tom Bonnell and fullback Sion Brace to cross for an unconverted try. A few minutes later, the Otters had a chance to increase the lead, but a penalty kick by Aled Davies hit the posts from 30 yards. Narberth's replacement lock Chris James was yellow-carded for a lineout offence after 64 minutes and Emyr Williams judged his kick well to convert the penalty to put the visitors back in front. Narberth continued to create scoring opportunities and a fine run by Sion Brace put flanker Andrew Dennis away to go over for an unconverted try. The Otters continued to mount a series of attacks and winger Tom Bonnell created something out of nothing from a scrum near the right corner when he dived over for Narberth's third unconverted try of the period. Whitland tried desperately to get back into contention. Although the visitors were prevented from regaining the lead, the Borderers earned a bonus point when Emyr Williams kicked a difficult penalty to boost the points total. Narberth fullback and captain Sion Brace was nominated as man-of-the-match by the sponsors, Greens Motors, of Haverfordwest, and Cefnogwyr, Clunderwen. The match ball sponsors were Phillip Evans Builders, of Narberth, Graham Searle, of Llawhaden, Chris Viggars, of Simply Gardens, Narberth, G. W. Tiles, of St Clears, Bargain Box, of Narberth, Nigel Towns Consultancy, of Amroth, and Miss Brenchley's Hen Party. Tomorrow (Saturday), Narberth are away to Bridgend Athletic and Whitland are home to Bonymaen in Division One West of the Asda Welsh National League. At second team level, Whitland Wanderers are away to Llandovery and Narberth Athletic are home to Waunarlwydd in a re-arranged fixture in the Polypipe Civils Championship West Wales Premier League. Whitland Youth are away to Llangwm and Narberth Youth are away to Haverfordwest. Narberth fielded: Sion Brace (captain), Tom Bonnell, Steve Martin, Richard Davies, Nick Jones, Aled Davies, Andrew Davies (Adrian Killa), Ryan Perrott (Tom Slater), Dan Smith Justin Hughes, David Ebsworth (Jason Jennings), Alex Jenkins, Gareth Bateman, Andrew Dennis and Jamie Bohata (Chris James). Whitland fielded: Matthew John, Dion Thomas, Lee Glanville, Gary Evans, Cristiaan Roets, Emyr Williams, Jonathan Morgan, Alun Davies, Mark Jones, Gareth Lloyd (Alan Proctor), Raff Williams (John Bowen), Carwyn Davies, Cameron Spiers, Ryan Michael (Phil Morgan) and Randall Williams (captain).