CARMARTHEN ATH. 3 pts NARBERTH 30
High-riding Narberth did their promotion chances no end of good on Saturday with a commanding 30 points to three victory over Carmarthen Athletic.
Although somewhat depleted, the Athletic could not match the superior fitness levels of the Otters in this top of the table clash, with Narberth turning the screw in the second half to notch up a runaway victory and maintain pole position in National League division two.
Although outside-half Julian Howells failed with an early penalty, he made amends in the 10th minute, landing a difficult touchline conversion after former Welsh international Alan Reynolds crashed over from a lineout near the corner.
Howells extended the visitors' lead with a penalty, before Athletic opposite Simon Rogers slotted a long range penalty between the sticks on the half-hour to reduce the deficit to seven points.
With Narberth's hard-working pack controlling things at forward, half-backs Chris Macdonald and Howells had the platform to keep the Athletic under pressure and just before the break Howells extended the visitors' advantage with another penalty.
Howells landed a third penalty after the change around to further extend the Otters' lead as Narberth began to capitalise on poor tactical play by the Athletic to take control.
Narberth's tight front five of Chris Flattery, Kevin Davies, Rob Jones, Jamie Bohata and Jason Jennings gave 110 per cent in the loose, while skipper Simon Davies and fellow back row men Reynolds and Gareth Bennett carried the ball well from the base.
Macdonald's linking role earned him the nod as man-of-the-match, while Howells continually tested the Athletic defences with high up-and-unders which were followed up at pace by his threequarter colleagues.
The Otters grabbed their second try when wing Steve Hartland rounded off an attack launched by fullback Ifan Jones from inside Otters' territory by touching down in the corner.
Howells landed an excellent conversion from the touchline, but was less successful with two penalties from better kicking positions, although it was more by ill-luck than judgement, the first just shaving the posts from long range and the second just dropping under the crossbar.
Although Richard Davies, Anthony James and Robert Walters tackled well for the Athletic, the homesters wasted possession, allowing Hartland, Jones and John Whitticombe to counter at will from deep.
On the stroke of full-time Hartland and Jones combined for Narberth's third try, Jones rounding off after Harland had deftly switched play inside to wrong-foot the Athletic cover.
Howells added the conversion to put the result beyond any doubt
Narberth fielded: Ifan Jones, Steve Hartland, Rouan Nel, Andrew Bowen, John Whitticombe, Julian Howells, Chris Macdonald, Chris Flattery, Kevin Davies, Rob Jones, Jamie Bohata, Jason Jennings, Alan Reynolds, Simon Davies, Gareth Bennett.