Newbridge 3 pts. Narberth 36

An excellent all-round display enabled the Otters to gain a convincing bonus points win away to Eastern Valleys side Newbridge.

It was in sharp contrast to the match at the Lewis Lloyd ground earlier in the season, when a Nick Gale penalty gave Narberth a 6-5 win with minutes to spare.

Centre Steve Martin gave the visitors an early lead with a try converted by fly-half Ianto Griffiths.

Fly-half Kieran Meek gave Bridge their first points with a penalty kick, but a try by wing Nick Gale prior to the interval, converted by Ianto Griffiths, extended the Narberth lead to 11 points.

Although only two tries were scored by the visitors, it was apparent that the greater experience of the Narberth team was beginning to tell, with the Otters pack wearing down the less experienced Bridge outfit.

In addition, other scoring chances had been set up with overlaps, but not taken, to the disappointment of the Narberth supporters, who had made the long trek to Newbridge.

In the second half, replacement wing Tomi Jones increased the Narberth lead with a try converted by Ianto Griffiths and then skipper Steve Martin picked up his second try of the game, again converted by Griffiths.

The tries were the result of some exquisite passing and running at good angles by the Otters backs, which continued to create problems for the Bridge defence for the remainder of the match.

Number 10 Ianto Griffiths touched down for an unconverted try and, to complete the scoring for the afternoon, flanker Stuart Worrall scored an unconverted try to seal an emphatic win for the Otters.

Wing Tomi Jones had also looked certain of scoring his second try of the game, but the ball slipped out of his hands in agonising fashion as he was crossing the line.

Although it was not a rough game, minutes before the final whistle there was a general melee which resulted in three players being yellow-carded.

Bridge lost two players, number eight Lewis Blacker and lock Gavin Bilton. Otters prop Owen Jordan was also given his marching orders.

Commenting after the match, Narberth team management spokesman, Robert Lewis, said: "We were very pleased with the result, which is probably the biggest win we have had away to Newbridge.

"The players must be complimented on their performance and they played better individually and as a team as the game went on.

"Newbridge fielded a young looking side and when the Otters pack got on top, picking up and driving well, the players were able to play a more expansive game which reaped dividends in the second half.

"We also picked up the pace of the game and hit the gaps to create try-scoring opportunities."

The Narberth team management nominated lock Adam Clark as man-of-the-match. There were other excellent performances by the back row as a unit and prop Owen Jordan.

Behind the scrum, the backs all upped their game as the match progressed.

Narberth fielded: Jonathan Morgan (Tomi Jones), Nick Gale, Steve Martin (C), Richard Davies, Ianto Griffiths (Ashley Sutton), Rhys Lane (Adrian Killa), Owen Jordan (Sean Lloyd), Dan Smith, Tom Slater, Adam Clark, Alex Jenkins, Dylan Richards, Stuart Worrall and Timoci Kaumaitotoya (Steffan Phillips).