Narberth 15 pts. Carmarthen Quins 36

Superb rugby in the first half paved the way for the visitors, Carmarthen Quins, to move into the second round of the Swalec Cup with a comfortable win away at Narberth in what could have been a potential banana skin match for the Premiership outfit.

Commenting after the match, Narberth director of rugby, Jonathan Dodd, said: "It was a fair result as Carmarthen Quins are a very strong side with far more powerful ball carriers.

"In the first half we stood off the ball and may have given them too much respect and as a result they took advantage to score some soft tries, which was particularly disappointing.

"In contrast, we fought back well in the second half in a very good display and were rewarded with two tries as we put the Quins under some pressure.

"Conditions were a factor (supporters at a charity function the previous evening were amazed that the match could be played), particularly the wind, and it was hard to get into the game in the first half.

"Carmarthen Quins put our set piece under more pressure than we are used to when we play in the Championship."

The Quins made clever use of the wind behind their backs in the first half, to take the game away from the Otters, with five cracking tries, three of which were converted by fly-half James Dixon.

It was the result of a powerful performance, quick thinking, presence of mind, pace, skill, tenacity and the ability to seize the initiative. Half chances were snapped up in a scintillating running and handling display which gained applause from the Otters' faithful.

A sign of things to come was the first try scored by lively centre Alex Pickersgill within 30 seconds of the kick-off.

Three minutes later Narberth wing James Russell clawed back three points with a penalty kick.

Centre Rheon James scored the next try near the left corner and the third try was scored by scrum-half Rhodri Wells with a touchdown again close to the left corner.

It was followed by a terrific try by Quins fullback Chris Banfield, in a move which started inside the Quins half. It resulted from a counter-attack in response to a Narberth kick ahead which went to hand and not into space.

Minutes before half-time, Rhodri Wells picked up his second try of the match and it was converted by James Dixon, who had also converted the previous two tries.

The stage was set for a cricket score by the Quins in the second half, but much to the relief of the Narberth supporters, the Otters came out with a fighting display which prevented any further score by the visitors until injury time.

Midway through the second half fly-half Stuart Morris scored a splendid solo try for the hosts as he sliced through the Quins'defence to touchdown near the posts for a try converted by wing James Russell.

More pressure by the Otters resulted in a penalty try being awarded, which Russell failed to convert as the ball fell over on the point of impact.

Although the Quins were reduced to 14 men when flanker Ellis Lloyd was yellow-carded, Narberth failed to press home the advantage in numbers.

Late into injury time, Chris Banfield completed the scoring for the afternoon with an unconverted try for the visitors in the right corner.

Health Centre Balcony Suite match sponsors, the Parents and Friends of Narberth under 14 team, nominated Narberth lock Alec Jenkins as man of the match.

Match ball sponsors were the Friends of Garnet Bowen, Simon Beynon, Owain R. Howell and Simon Mumford and the Landshipping Boys.

Narberth fielded: Jonathan Morgan, Will Lewis, Steve Martin (capt), Richard Davies (Nick Jones), James Russell, Stuart Morris, Jarred Bayliss (Rhys Lane), Sean Lloyd Dan Smith, Tom Slater (Steffan Jones), Gyles Vaughan, Alex Jenkins, Gareth Bateman, Wayne Williams and Steffan Phillips (Lawrence Reynolds).