Bridgend 18 pts. Narberth 19

More than a few eyebrows were raised when the news percolated through the rugby grapevine that Narberth had won away at Bridgend, albeit by the fragile margin of one point.

Last season, Bridgend played in the premiership and during a long and proud rugby history have at times been the top team in Wales.

Although relegated into Division One West last season, the Ravens are still a very good team, but particularly in the first half the Otters were much, much better.

Some Narberth supporters would have travelled to Bridgend more in hope than anticipation, but pulses were soon set running by the thrilling attacking rugby produced by the Narberth players.

Prior to the start of the match, there was a minute's silence in memory of Bridgend's director of rugby, Colin Hillman, who died prematurely.

Within five minutes of the start of the match, hooker Dan Smith finished off a strong forward movement with a try near the right corner flag, originally set up by a great run from fullback Matthew Davies.

It was a difficult conversion attempt, but outside-half Craig Jones kept a cool head and the Otters had a lead of seven points.

After seven minutes, the Ravens reduced the deficit with a penalty kick from fly-half Tom Hancock, but the visitors continued to press forward and another score was always in the air.

It came after 33 minutes with a try in the left corner by livewire scrum-half Adrian Killa, who burst over the line to score an unconverted try.

The nine points lead at half-time quickly became 16 points when left wing Jonathan Morgan finished off a smooth handling movement when he found a bit of space on the left and crossed for a try after two minutes, again very well converted from the touchline by Craig Jones.

An injury to Craig Jones and the yellow carding of influential flanker Gareth Bateman proved to be a setback for the Otters, especially when the Ravens introduced fresh legs with some talented second half substitutes.

After seven minutes, scum-half Lloyd O'Connor scored a great individual try from the halfway line, but the conversion attempt by Tom Hancock struck the upright.

Three minutes later, Gareth Bateman was yellow-carded and within two minutes Bridgend had narrowed the Narberth lead when winger Grant Epton broke from the halfway line and ran through the Narberth defence to cross for a try converted by Tom Hanks.

In the absence of Craig Jones, his namesake Nick Jones, the Narberth centre, took a long distance penalty attempt from 40 metres after 15 minutes. The kick had the legs, but the radar was a couple of degrees off target.

Although the Otters were restored to a full complement of players after 28 minutes with the return of Gareth Bateman, during the latter period of the second half they found themselves more and more defending repeated Bridgend attacks.

A successful penalty kick by Tom Hancock after 32 minutes did little to steady the nerves, but the Otters held out until the final whistle, although the Ravens were within a couple of yards of crossing the line for a try when the move was halted.

The win was a great tonic for the players, coaches and supporters, and everyone was in jubilant mood after the match, including the players who picked up bumps or bruises.

Forwards coach Sean Gale said after the match: "It was an absolutely superb win. To come to Bridgend who were just relegated from the Premiership and to pick up this result was a great achievement.

"Bridgend were a very good side, but we took the bull by the horns in a fantastic first half performance.

"We lost a bit of our composure when Craig Jones was injured in the second half, but defended well for the last five minutes. We realise that there is still room for improvements, but a number of the new boys stood up to be counted. We had an excellent pre-season, both in training and match practice, and this was reflected in our performance during the first half.

"Flanker Gareth Bateman was outstanding, as well as his back row colleague Colin Davies and as Gareth was off the field for a period because of his yellow card in the second half, the man-of-the-match award has gone to Colin Davies.

"Behind the pack, scrum-half Adrian Killa had a great game, with a lot of defence-splitting breaks. In addition, winger Jonathan Morgan also had a good all-round game in attack, defence and kicking out of hand.

"Overall it was a great win and a great achievement as not many sides will come to the Brewery Field and win.

"As coaches we are very proud of the boys. The changing room is black and blue, but it is a very happy changing room."

Narberth fielded: Matthew Davies, Tom Bonnell, Nick Jones, Richard Davies (capt.), Jonathan Morgan, Craig Jones, Adrian Killa, Sean Lloyd, Dan Smith, Justin Hughes, Chris James, Alex Jenkins, Gareth Bateman, Rhydian Thomas and Colin Davies.

Replacements were: William Russell, Aled Davies, Timoci Kaumaitotoya, Andrew Davies and Tylon Mafi.

Tomorrow (Saturday), the Otters have their first home fixture in the league this season when Felinfoel will be the visitors to the Lewis Lloyd ground.