Cwmllynfell 22 pts. Narberth 21

After being brushed aside by Division One West leaders Tonmawr the previous week, the Otters had to accept the stark reality of being defeated by bottom-of-the-table Cwmllynfell on Saturday to give the doomed team their third victory of the season.

There is no doubt that Cwmllynfell deserved to win this match and, although the Otters were below par in the way they played, credit must be given to Cwm for their eagerness to win this match and their ability on the day.

On a glorious afternoon at the high altitude Parc y Bryn ground, most spectators disregarded their trademark hats and coats to enjoy the afternoon sunshine as well as the rugby.

Cwmllynfell fullback Peter Thomas had the opportunity to give his team the lead after 10 minutes with a penalty kick, but his attempt was off target.

After 15 minutes, flanker Daniel Jones gave Cwmllynfell the lead when Cwm broke away from the middle of the park and flanker Jones was in support to crash over in the right corner for an unconverted try.

The Otters came back quickly with an attacking move inside the 22. Centre Steve Martin, making a welcome return to the fold, spotted a small gap and cut through the defence to touch down under the posts for a try converted by outside-half Craig Jones.

The Otters carried their slender two points advantage into the second half and extended the lead after six minutes.

Ever alert fullback Roger Davies got hold of the ball inside the Narberth half near the left touchline.

He raced up field, hugged the left touchline, before cutting inside to score under the posts and again Craig Jones converted.

Five minutes later, an interception by Cwmllynfell winger Matthew Nolan near the halfway line enabled him to break free of the covering defence and cross for a try converted by Peter Thomas.

The Otters bounced back again when flanker Gareth Bateman scored under the posts and the conversion by Craig Jones gave the visitors a lead of nine points.

Cwm came back again with a penalty from centre Paul Davies to reduce the lead and nudged in front with try by Matthew Nolan.

The winger received the ball just outside the 22 on the left touchline and made the most of a small overlap to beat off the covering defence for a try in the left corner.

The conversion kick from the touchline by Paul Davies put the home team back in front and the visitors were unable to score again to regain the lead.

Commenting after the match, Narberth team manager Robert Lewis said, Otters' team manager Robert Lewis said: "It was a very disappointing performance. Cwmllynfell wanted the result from the start, got stuck into us and tackled throughout the game.

"Although we got our noses in front, the boys probably thought that the game was won and Cwmllynfell came back to score an interception try to get back into the game. From that point on they had their tails up.

"We were beaten to the breakdown, Cwmllynfell won everything on the floor and turned us over six or seven times.

"We probably travelled up expecting to get the points, but the players have to look at themselves as we still have four games left. We will have to pick up our game, otherwise we will not win another match this season.

"It is essential to go on to the field with the attitude that we must perform in every game.

"With regard to individual players, hooker Dan Smith gave one hundred per cent all the way through, lock Alex Jenkins won a fair share of lineout ball and in addition carried the ball well."

Tomorrow (Saturday), Narberth are home to Bridgend in a re-arranged league fixture.

Narberth fielded: Roger Davies, Tom Bonnell, Richard Davies (capt.), Steve Martin, John Leyshon, Craig Jones, Adrian Killa, Sean Lloyd, Dan Smith, Tom Slater, Alex Jenkins, Jason Jennings, Simon Griffiths, Gareth Bateman and Colin Davies.

Replacements: Aled Harries, Mick Skinner, Tom Powell, Rhys Davies and Jonathan Dodd.