No quarter was asked or given in this bruising battle for supremacy at Crymych between the county's greatest rivals for the Chevron Pembrokeshire Rugby Knock-out Cup which the Otters just edged to retain the cup for the second season in succession.
The Otters had the advantage of the slope at the Parc Lloyd Thomas ground in Crymych during the first half and were soon in the lead when a penalty decision was reversed in the opening minutes of the game.
Narberth outside-half Aled Davies made the most of the opportunity to score to give his team the lead with the kick.
Whitland full-back Carwyn Jones missed a penalty kick after 10 minutes and a long distance effort after 20 minutes.
Narberth centre Steve Martin followed up a speculative diagonal kick by Aled Davies from well inside the Narberth half, timed his run, picked up the ball on the bounce and raced over in the left corner for an unconverted try.
At one time, local derbies often resulted in a mass outbreak of punching involving all of the players and after 27 minutes, the large crowd were treated to a reminder of old times when fists were flying in all directions.
As a result, the players had a dressing down from match referee Wayne Davies who dished out yellow cards to Whitland number eight Randall Williams and Narberth prop Tom Slater. .
After Carwyn Jones failed to convert another penalty attempt for the Borderers, Aled Davies kicked a penalty from near the touchline just before the end of the first half to stretch the Narberth lead to 11 points at the interval.
After the break, the Borderers got on the scoresheet when Carwyn Jones kicked a penalty, but the Whitland kicker missed out on two further penalty opportunities to score.
Much of the play during the match had taken place between the two 22 lines, but the Borderers broke free to reduce the lead with a superb try after 36 minutes.
It started when ever-alert centre Lee Glanville made a break and kicked the ball ahead. He followed up his own kick to release flanker Ryan Michael who made a great run down the right touchline. Opportunistic winger Will Davies spotted the chance to score by cutting inside and had the scoring pass from Michael to run under the posts for a try which was converted by Carwyn Jones.
With one point separating the teams, it was all to play in a tense climax to Pembrokeshire's biggest annual rugby event.
Matters were settled to some extent when Aled Davies slotted over a short distance penalty kick in mounting tension. Not only did this kick extend the Narberth lead, but the Borderers needed a try to take the game.
It was not to be and the Otters picked up the cup for the third successive season.
Unfortunately, Whitland skipper Randall Williams received his marching orders when another mass punch-up erupted in the heat of the moment in the dying embers of the game.
Speaking immediately after the final whistle, Narberth's director of rugby, Jonathan Dodd, said: "We're over the moon over the performance, to win the Pembrokeshire Cup for the third year on the trot was an outstanding achievement.
"It was a really hard-fought game. Whitland came at us after beating us well a month ago in the league. It was a very competitive game and they had a late score to make it 11-10, but we managed to hold on to that lead and extend it with a penalty by Aled Davies.
"We played some good well controlled rugby with good carries by the forwards and there was some excellent tackling by both teams.
"The boys showed plenty of character and stuck to their task. There were a couple of mistakes which made it more exciting, but generally throughout, we thought that we were in control.
"Skipper Justin Hughes was outstanding for his contribution on the field as a player as was lock Alex Jenkins. Both our centres were very solid and Steve Martin made the most of a half chance to score a try.
"Whitland also scored an excellent try and can take great pride over their performance as we can, as there was not much to choose between the two sides as it should be in a cup final."
Borderers' spokesman Richard Merriman said: "We did enough to win as we bossed the Narberth pack with the front five outstanding and the back row shining as usual.
"On the down side, our ball retention in tackles was poor and we missed five penalty attempts.
"In a way, the cup final summed up our season as it was like a school report in that we could and should have done better.
"The Narberth try came from a nothing kick and a lucky bounce.
"Skipper Randall Williams as number eight has had a great season and had a terrific game, as did his back row colleagues Jack Mason and Ryan Michael.
"Our line-out work was good and the forwards were mobile in loose play.
"The boys deserved better for their hardwork, but we can only blame ourselves for not winning the cup."
Narberth skipper Justin Hughes received the cup from Jane James representing the tournament sponsors, Chevron. Aled Davies was selected as man-of-the-match by officers representing the Pembrokeshire and District Rugby Union and was presented with the award by Huw Hughes, of HNO Hughes Sports Hospitality and Activity Holidays, who sponsored the match ball.
Narberth fielded: Nick Jones, Tom Bonnell, Steve Martin, Richard Davies, Matthew Davies, Aled Davies, Andrew Davies, Tom Slater, Dan Smith, Justin Hughes (capt.), Chris James, Alex Jenkins, John Tennick, Richard Sharpe-Williams, Lloyd Phillips. Replacements: Adrian Killa, Johnny Morgan, Neil Davies, Dai Ebsworth, Jason Jennings, Aled Harries, Anthony Griffiths.
Whitland fielded: Carwyn Jones, Will Davies, Lee Glanville, Gary Evans, Gareth Morris (James Stephenson), Jonathan Thomas, Gary Davies (Andrew Jenkins), Alan Proctor, Gavin Walsh (Romeo Colella), Richard Smith, Raff Williams, Carwyn Davies, Jack Mason (Gareth Downes), Ryan Michael, Randall Williams (capt.) Replacements: Tom Dinan and James Davies.