NARBERTH 19 pts
WHITLAND 38
An eagerly anticipated derby clash, the game dis not disappoint the large crowds filling the Lewis Lloyd, with the Borderers running out winners by a convincing 38 points to 19.
It upset the form books somewhat, with the Otters undefeated in their previous five outings as opposed to two out of five for the Carmarthenshire side but the Green and Whites grabbed the initiative from the outset and never looked back.
Star of the show was undoubtedly Whitland pivot Daniel Griffiths who bagged 23 of his side's points, but the Borderers had also done their homework with their pack playing it tight front to deny Narberth the platform to play their usual fast and loose open rugby.
The visitors came out of the traps like a thunderbolt and found themselves seven points ahead before many of the large crowd had even settled into position on the sidelines.
Early pressure set up a catch and drive from a line out for prop Gareth Williams to claim a try which Griffiths converted.
However, the Otters bounced back with a quickly taken tap penalty from fullback Adrian Killa being moved open to send wing Nick Jones over but Narberth outside half Simon Daniel was unable to add the extras.
Griffiths extended Whitland's lead with a penalty before a fluid three-quarter attack initiated by Wayne Lewis and Andrew Richards sent Daniel Rogers over for the visitors' second try.
Griffiths was unlucky to see his conversion attempt strike an upright but made amends minutes later with a well struck drop goal from 35 metres.
Both Daniel and Griffiths missed with penalty attempts and Otters scrum half Chris Macdonald was unlucky not to celebrate his 200 the league game with a try after it was disallowed by referee Mr. Clayton Thomas for a double movement, before Whitland grabbed an immense psychological advantage just before the break with a Steve Griffiths try converted by Griffiths.
Another Griffiths penalty after the change around increased the visitors' lead further still before Otters coach Keith Eaton decided to ring in the changes, bringing Meurig Daniel and Akerei Malesala into the pack.
The introduction of the two back row men stabilised the Otters defence, allowed allowed them to launch a series of attacks on the Borderers line.
Centre Elgan Vittle blagged a try under the posts following a concerted team effort from a line out, which Daniel converted then lock Jason Jennings scored a superb solo effort when he broke through the Whitland cover and raced over.
Daniel again added the extras.
Vittle was in action again when he broke through the Visiting defence, but his long pass to wing Nick Jones went to ground.
If they were rattled by two tries in quick succession, Whitland didn't show it, with a superbly marshalled defence denying the Otters at every opportunity
Prominent were Fakataha Molitika and Derek Thomas, but the laurels rested with Griffiths, who put the game beyond any doubt when he took advantage of a defensive error on Narberth's part to net a deserved try of his own and then added the extras for good measure.
Match sponsors were Mason Bros Quarry Products Ltd., of Lampeter Velfrey and Bysiau Cwm Taf, of Whitland. Team and match ball sponsors were Sinclair Garages, Neyland; W. J. Kenneth Davies and Sons, Clunderwen; Gog Sports, Whitland; Felin Fach Caravans, Penffordd; Jewson Graham, of Haverfordwest and the Narberth Classic Bike Club.
Tomorrow (Saturday) Narberth hope to bounce back to winning ways when the travel to Tredegar, while Whitland will be hoping to maintain their winning form when Beddau visit Parc Llwyn Ty Gwyn.