An unsuccessful attempt to play the Students at their own game cost the Otters their brief hold on the Division One leadership, in this top of the table clash, as Narberth went down by four points. UWIC, who had also had a brief hold of the top of the table spot earlier in the week, now lie in second place behind Maesteg, with Narberth in third place on the same number of points as arch rivals Whitland. Otters' outside-half Gareth James attempted a long-range penalty attempt after five minutes, which had the distance but not the accuracy. His opposite number Nathan Hopkins slotted over a short-range penalty with his left foot after 30 minutes to put the Students in front. Gareth James equalised within minutes and the two outside-halves exchanged penalties to level the scores once again. The first try came from a lineout on the left when the Students moved the ball swiftly across the field. Although the move was halted in the middle of the park, the ball was recycled and fullback Roger Davies came into the line, chipped deftly ahead and won the race to the touchdown in the right corner for an unconverted try. Nathan Hopkins was off target with a penalty attempt which would have given the Students a chance to extend the lead and Narberth equalised with a well-worked try when winger Richard Rees powered his way over in the right corner for an unconverted try from broken play. With the last kick of the first half, Nathan Hopkins slotted over a straight penalty from short range to put the Students in front at the interval. The second half had barely started when the Students, who now had wind advantage, conjured up a try out of second phase possession and centre Phillip Dollman crossed for an unconverted try in the right corner. It was important for the Otters to strike back quickly and they did. On being awarded a penalty, Gareth James kicked for touch. The visitors won the consequent lineout and number eight Gareth Bennett barged through the Students' defence until being brought to the ground. Centre Andrew Bowen was in support and crashed over for a try under the posts converted by Gareth James. The conversion kick put the Otters in front for the first time and only time in the match. Unfortunately for the visitors, the initiative was lost within the next quarter of an hour with Nathan Hopkins slotting over two successive penalties for the Students who held the advantage once again. The second penalty had been awarded after Narberth prop and captain Alan Phillips was yellow-carded following a spot of retaliation when there was a brief flurry of fists between the forwards in the two packs. It was the only incident in the match, which was played in good spirit, with play moving from end to end throughout. The Otters were still down to 14 players when Gareth James reduced the deficit with a penalty from the 22, but that kick completed the scoring for the afternoon. The Otters continued to attack whenever possible and a try looked on when centre Elgan Vittle created space on the left in the closing minutes. Substitute flanker Dafydd Bowen was outside him and in a position to score. Unfortunately, the ball was not released and the Students regrouped their defences to relieve the pressure and pick up the points. Otters' director of rugby Rob Phillips said: "It was not the best of performances. We suffered a bit of a hangover from Wednesday evening's match against Bridgend Athletic. It is usually the case that we string a few victories together and then ease off the throttle and the players know that. "UWIC played very well. They did not do anything different from what we expected. We could have sneaked it in the end, but to give full credit to the students it would not have been a good result at the end of the day and they were good value for their victory." Narberth suffered a blow before the players' bus left for Cardiff as number eight Lewis Wood was unavailable and after 30 minutes of the match flanker Rob McCusker was injured and took no further part in the match. His replacement Dafydd Bowen gave a hundred per cent at all times, but is recovering from injury himself and not yet fully match fit. Flanker Gary Denver had an excellent game and scrum-half Adrian Killa made lots of snipes around the fringes, but on many occasions lacked support. Centres Andrew Bowen and Elgan Vittle combined well, but again often lacked support when they made ground. The wingers did not have too many opportunities to attack, but Richard Rees always looked dangerous with ball in hand. Tomorrow (Saturday), Narberth are home to mid Glamorgan team Beddau. Narberth fielded: Sion Brace (Marc Davies), Richard Rees, Elgan Vittle, Andrew Bowen, Nick Jones, Gareth James, Adrian Killa, Nathan Williams (Fifitapuku Faletau), Kevin Allen, Alan Phillips (capt.) (Barry Davies), David Ebsworth, Emori Katalau, Rob McCusker (Dafydd Bowen), Gary Denver and Gareth Bennett.
