Narberth 24 pts.

RGC 22

Although Narberth trailed by 15 points after 11 minutes, the players dug deep to fight their way back into this match and in a thrilling climax, sealed the result with a late injury time penalty.

The turnstiles were still busy when RGC took the lead with a scintillating try after 15 seconds.

It resulted from two Narberth errors and quick thinking by the RGC players in spotting and then taking a half chance.

The Otters did not take the ball cleanly from the kick-out. It dropped out of hand, bounced and was gathered gleefully by the RGC backs.

The ball was moved quickly across the line with some smooth passing, a tackle was missed and centre Danny Cross broke through to score a try converted by fly-half Rhodri Carton-Jones.

After eight minutes, wing Carwyn Ap Myrddin raced up the left touchline in support of a break by Rhodri Carton-Jones to score an unconverted try in the corner and three minutes later Carton-Jones extended the lead with a penalty kick.

With Narberth supporters predicting a cricket score with memories of the defeat at Pontypool still fresh in their minds, the players had other ideas.

Gradually the Otters fought back and were rewarded with an unconverted try after 30 minutes, scored by number eight Steffan Phillips from a maul after good work by the Narberth pack in the left corner.

Otters supporters were jubilant three minutes later when livewire flanker Stuart Worrall danced through the RGC defence to cross for an individual unconverted try and a last minute penalty by centre Ianto Griffiths reduced the lead to two points at the interval.

Three minutes into the second half, Otters fly-half Nico Setaro was in support when prop Ollie Evans broke up field. Setaro scored an unconverted try in the left corner to nudge Narberth in front for the first time.

When a penalty was awarded to Narberth, the players opted for a tap and go move. Although it was blocked, the ball was recycled.

Centre Ianto Griffiths spotted an opportunity for a drop-goal, which sailed cleanly over the crossbar to extend the Narberth lead after 65 minutes.

With RGC only one score away from regaining the lead, it was a frantic last period with tension mounting.

Unfortunately, RGC full-back James Lang was injured and there was a long delay whilst he was attended by the RGC physiotherapist and the Otters medical team.

When play did resume, it was RGC who seized the initiative and visiting lock Mareddyd Francis got the touch down for a try in the left corner following a powerful pack movement.

Fly-half Rhodri Carton-Jones held his nerve and converted from the touchline, to give the visitors a narrow one point lead with the minutes ticking away.

Narberth wing Nick Gale was just off target with a penalty kick, but deep into injury time Ianto Griffiths took the next penalty awarded to Narberth.

A series of Narberth attacks inside the RGC half resulted in a penalty for the Otters. Ianto Griffiths took the kick which he converted to give Narberth a winning result in a most memorable encounter with both teams running the ball at every opportunity.

Commenting after the match, Narberth backs coach Roger Davies said: "It was a very tough ask to play against a well-organised RGC team who have some great players in their squad.

"After the disappointing loss at Pontypool last week, it was very pleasing for us to bounce back at home in front of a large crowd. We fought our way back into the game and the winning penalty at the end was a great result."

The Health Centre Balcony Suite match sponsor Eric Matthias selected Narberth flanker Stuart Worrall as man of the match.

In a game where it was difficult to single out any player, with everyone making an impact, the new half-back combination of Nico Setaro and Rhys Lane worked well, especially in attack.

Narberth fielded: Jonathan Morgan, Nick Gale, Steve Martin, Ianto Griffiths, Lawrence Headlam, Nico Setaro, Rhys Lane, Ollie Evans (Nathan Williams), Dan Smith, Tom Slater, Adam Clark, Alex Jenkins , Gareth Bateman, Stuart Worrall and Steffan Phillips (Lewis Wood).