Bridgend 45 pts. Narberth 30

Division One West league rugby was shown at its best by both teams in this most entertaining but highly competitive game of exhilarating rugby, during which 11 tries were scored in total.

How often is a coach more than satisfied with his team's performance after finishing on the losing side? Sean Gale of Narberth was.

How often does a winger score four cracking tries, lose 10 minutes of play after being yellow-carded and still finish on the losing side? Tom Bonnell, the Otters' flying right wing, will provide the answer!

From the outset, both sides released their quick back-lines at every opportunity and there was decisive running and quick handling in a breathless first half.

Winger Steve Cullen opened the scoring in the left corner for the Ravens after seven minutes. Former Whitland outside-half Daniel Griffiths added the points for a conversion and increased the lead with a penalty six minutes later.

Tom Bonnell gave the first glimpse of what was to follow and to show that it would not be all one-way traffic for the league leaders. He followed up a great break by centre Steve Martin to weave through the defensive line-up to touch down in the right corner for an unconverted try.

Centre Gareth Howells was the next name on the scoreboard when an overlap was created on the left. His try was also converted by Griffiths and two minutes later the lead was extended when scrum-half Tom Habberfield scored a try, again converted by Griffiths

Otters outside-half Aled Davies kicked a short range penalty to reduce the lead after 33 minutes and within two minutes, Bonnell had scored again with another terrific finish for an unconverted try.

The Ravens led 34-18 at the break as the lead had been extended with a converted try from centre Nathan Edwards, but the visitors had bounced back with a try in injury time by left wing Mark Heywood, who did well to finish a try-creating break by Aled Davies. Unfortunately, the conversion attempt by centre Roger Davies was not successful.

Could this thrilling rugby continue? Yes it could, as in the second half Bonnell showed no signs of taking his foot off the pedal with two more tries, the last try being converted by centre Roger Davies. The chances of him scoring more was impeded when he picked up a yellow card.

Daniel Griffiths maintained his impeccable kicking game as he converted the Bridgend tries which were scored by prop Ken Dowding and wing Steve Cullen, to add to his tally. All in all, he converted the six tries scored by Bridgend, much to the delight of some Whitland supporters present!

In sharp contrast, only one of the five tries scored by Narberth was converted, but Aled Davies was also on target with one penalty kick.

Delighted by the Narberth performance, if not the result, Otters head coach Sean Gale said: "It was a very good game of rugby and as coaches we were very proud of the boys. Although we trailed at the interval, the commitment and passion shown for the Narberth jersey in the second half was absolutely fantastic. Unusually it was our kicking for goal which let us down as it was a close try count of just 6-5 in favour of a top class Bridgend team.

"We came away with a bonus point in front of a great crowd and the performance bodes well and gives us confidence for the rest of the season.

"The whole team played well and these top-of-the-table games are often decided on such small percentages. Bridgend kicked their kicks and we did not on the day.

"Bridgend are clear favourites to win the league, but we showed that we are capable of finishing in second spot."

Narberth fielded: Nick Jones, Tom Bonnell, Steve Martin, Roger Davies, Mark Heywood (Toby Smith), Aled Davies, Andrew Davies, Tom Slater (Sean Lloyd), Dan Smith (Gareth Jones), Justin Hughes (captain), Alex Jenkins, Chris Scarf (Chris James), Colin Davies, Wayne Williams and Jim Kaumaitotoya.