Narberth kept in touch with the Division One leaders by dismissing the challenge of Glamorgan Wanderers eventually at the Lewis Lloyd ground on Saturday.

Outside-half Gareth James had an opportunity to give the Otters an early lead with a long range penalty attempt after three minutes, but the kick was off target.

From the outset, it became clear that Narberth would have to work harder for a win, than in the game the previous Saturday at Treorchy, as the Wanderers showed that they were a capable all-round team. The visitors had a big pack, two solid centres in Dave Jenkins and Nick Bellamy and generally defended extremely well.

Narberth went ahead after 17 minutes from an attacking movement mounted by the visitors. Centre Elgan Vittle has developed an uncanny knack this season of anticipating attacking moves by the opposition and when he intercepted a pass on the Wanderers' 10-metre line he had an unopposed run under the posts for a try converted by Gareth James.

Ten minutes later, Gareth James was successful with a long range penalty from just inside the Wanderers' 10-metre line, but missed out with another attempt minutes later.

Wanderers' hooker Tom Lambert was yellow carded, but Narberth were unable to take advantage of having an extra player, although both fullback Nick Jones and scrum-half Chris Macdonald came close to scoring.

Gareth James extended the lead within minutes of the second half starting, but Wanderers' outside-half Dan Jones got the first and only points of the afternoon for the visitors with a penalty from a distance of 35 metres.

When play moved to the other end of the field, Elgan Vittle did his Jonny Wilkinson impersonation with a drop goal attempt. Unfortunately, he did not have the same success as Wilkinson as the kick was more of a grubber kick, so perhaps he should stick to interceptions in future!

The Otters extended the lead again with another penalty from Gareth James to make it necessary for the Wanderers to score twice to get back into the game.

The gap was widened to 20 points following a well-worked try by flanker Matthew Evans. The backs were released quickly from a maul and mobile prop Phil John looped around to show pace and power to crash through attempted tackles. He slipped the ball to Matthew Evans who was in support to cross near the posts for a try converted by Gareth James.

Phil John, who is on dual registration with Llanelli, was a livewire in the loose throughout the afternoon. The Narberth locks won their own lineout ball and at times made it difficult for the opposition to win theirs and once again the back row of Meurig Daniel, Katilimoni Tuipulotu and Matthew Evans played well as a unit. Daniel and Tuipulotu grafted throughout the afternoon, while Evans was quick on the breakdown.

The threequarters defended well and did the business in attack, although tended to rely too much on centre Andrew Bowen going down the middle rather than varying tactics.

Flanker Matthew Evans and centre Andrew Bowen were nominated the Narberth men-of-the-match by the match sponsors.

There were two separate match sponsors, namely Dorian Phillips and Partners, of Llanboidy, and NatWest Business Centre, Carmarthen.

The gold team sponsors were D. P. Building Supplies and the team sponsors were Dorian Phillips and Partners staff, of Llanboidy.

The match ball was sponsored by Cynthia and Ian Evans, together with Penry Harries, of Narberth, South Wales Fork Lifts, Cleddau Windows, of Maenclochog, Jerry Williams Spar Shop and Post Office, of Llanboidy, and Bill Owens, Electrical Contractors, Llanboidy.

Tomorrow (Saturday), Narberth are away to Cilfynydd in the third round of the Welsh Rugby Union Challenge Cup.

Narberth fielded: Nick Jones, Daniel Gravell, Andrew Bowen (Deiniol Evans), Elgan Vittle, Andrew Jones, Gareth James, Chris Macdonald (Adrian Killa), Phil John, Kevin Allen, Alan Phillips, Emori Katalau (David Ebsworth), Jason Jennings, Meurig Daniel (Gareth Bennett), Katilimoni Tuipulotu, and Matthew Evans.