Carmarthen Quins 37 pts. Narberth 30 This pulsating game gripped the attention of the spectators throughout the match. Although the Otters did not take the lead at any time and were at one stage 17 points behind, somehow or other the Narberth team kept in touch to such an extent as to make the ultimate outcome in doubt until the final whistle. Prior to the match starting, Narberth had a very outside chance of taking the Division One West title. A convincing win and bonus points and other results going their way could have given the Otters the title if they won the other two remaining games in similar fashion. It was not to be and Carmarthen Quins were still the leaders over the weekend, but Tonmawr were crowned champions on Tuesday evening after winning their final game away to lowly Waunarlwydd. The Quins used the strong wind cleverly in the first half and took the lead after seven minutes when scrum-half Ricky Richards touched down for a try when possession was snatched from the Otters. Outside-half Craig Jones converted the try. Four minutes later, Narberth outside-half Aled Davies had an opportunity to reduce the deficit with a penalty kick, but the strong wind proved to be a sufficient barrier to prevent the score. The Quins increased the lead after 13 minutes when centre Alex Wilkins was the beneficiary of a terrific break by outside-half Craig Jones who did well to convert the try. A short range penalty kick by Jones after 15 minutes increased the lead to 17 points. Just when it looked as if the game would run away from the Otters, the visitors fought back strongly. Flanker Rob Morgans scored on his Narberth debut, playing on permit from Corus, when he finished off a catch and drive move from a lineout in the left corner. Unfortunately for Narberth, the conversion attempt proved to be too difficult. The non-stop action continued when Quins hooker Chris Francis scored an unconverted try in the left corner following a lineout. Within minutes, Narberth scored again and yet again it came from a lineout move. Aled Davies had found touch from a penalty kick. The Otters won possession and moved the ball quickly from left to right, with a long pass from Aled Davies feeding Steve Martin. The outside centre made ground before feeding Tom Bonnell who dived over in the right corner for an unconverted try. Narberth's next try also came from a lineout in a more convoluted move which started and finished in the left corner. After winning the lineout, the Otters pressed forward and after the ball was recycled a number of times, it was released and moved quickly to the right. With the pathway to the line blocked, play was switched back again and centre Richard Davies broke clear and with strong running and determination he won the race for the touchdown in the left corner. Aled Davies added icing to the cake with his conversion kick. A penalty kick by Craig Jones hit the posts, but minutes later he was on target with a long range effort from 38 metres. After 40 minutes, Ricky Richards picked up his second try for the Quins, again from a lineout in the left corner, and Craig Jones converted from the touchline. The Otters were not finished, however. Number eight and Welsh Under 20 international Lloyd Phillips set up an enticing second half when he finished off a broken play move with a try under the posts, converted by Aled Davies. As a result, only eight points separated the teams at the interval. The Quins scored a decisive try four minutes into the second half following a period of pressure when Chris Jones crossed for an unconverted try. A penalty kick by Aled Davies narrowed the gap and after 23 minutes another penalty from Davies reduced the lead to seven points. Somewhat surprisingly, in view of the free-scoring period in the first half, no further points were scored by either team in the last 20 minutes, including injury time. Both teams continued to attack at every opportunity, but the defence in both camps was equal to the task. Commenting after the match, Narberth's director of rugby, Jonathan Dodd, said: "It was a very good game for the neutral spectator and one of contrasting styles. The Quins have a lot of power and are a very big side. They forced us to make mistakes, particularly in the first half. "We looked a very good side when we upped the tempo and took the ball away from their pack. "I think that the right side won as the Quins had more of the game and put a stranglehold on us in the second half. "Nevertheless, as coaches, we were very pleased with the way in which we played today and with the bonus points. We played good rugby, stuck at it and managed to keep going, even when we were 17 points behind. "Throughout the match we managed to keep in touch and had it not been for a couple of mistakes, it could have been a different result. However, I've no hard feelings about the result. "Wingers Nick Jones and Tom Bonnell were hungry for work, the pack went well, particularly in the set- pieces, although the Quins had the edge in the loose and that told in the end. "We missed some key individuals, but we were very pleased with the way that flanker Rob Morgans played in the back row. "Although we lost the match, we will finish third in the league and if our winning run had to come to an end, it was satisfying to score four tries in the process at Carmarthen in a game worthy of two of the best sides in our division." Winger Nick Jones was nominated man-of-the- match by the Narberth team management. Narberth fielded: Sion Brace (capt.), Tom Bonnell, Steve Martin, Richard Davies, Nick Jones, Aled Davies, Adrian Killa (Andrew Davies), Ryan Perrott (Tom Slater), Dan Smith, Justin Hughes, Chris James (Jason Jennings), Alex Jenkins, Gareth Bateman, Rob Morgans and Lloyd Phillips. Tomorrow, (Saturday), Narberth finish their league programme with an away fixture against Waunarlwydd and will complete their rugby action for the season in the Chevron Pembrokeshire Cup Final next Wednesday at Pembroke against arch rivals Whitland.
