Blackwood 32 pts. Narberth 35

In a pulsating, end-to-end, all-action game at Glan-yr-Afon Park, five well-taken tries gave the Otters a narrow, but well-deserved, bonus point win away to Blackwood and move up to sixth place in the Championship table.

Narberth head coach Sean Gale said: "We are very pleased to come away with a bonus point win against a very good and physical Blackwood side.

"We knew that the Championship would be very hard and matches won by small margins.

"Our game is not complete yet. We play well in spells, but lose concentrations and defences lapse.

"However, in the last 15 minutes we defended admirably. Our set-piece was superb and we counter-attacked well.

"At present we are a strong attacking side, the driving lineout and scrums were big positives, but we need to work harder on our defensive lapses.

"Even though we missed place kicking opportunities, it was a match where we learned how to win."

It was clear from the first minute what sort of match it would be, as the Wood came out of the blocks, won the loose ball from the kick-off for centre Gareth Price to score an unconverted try in the right corner.

The Otters came back within minutes when winger James Russell kicked a penalty and then took the lead after eight minutes with a try scored by flanker Wayne Williams from a drive from the Narberth pack, which was converted by James Russell.

Fly-half Josh Steer kicked a penalty for Blackwood, before lively winger Will Lewis was the next player on the score sheet with a good finish from a flowing passing movement to touch down for an unconverted try.

Blackwood clawed back five points with an unconverted try scored by fullback Sean Emery before Otters' centre and captain Steve Martin burst through to touch down for a try which was set up when scum-half Adrian Killa created space with a trademark break. On a day when place kickers from both sides experienced a little difficulty, James Russell was unable to add the points for the conversion.

The Wood lock Marc Williams picked up the next try following some intense pressure by the Blackwood team and Josh Steer was on target with his conversion attempt.

With the scores level, a penalty kick by James Russell after 30 minutes, gave the visitors a slender half-time lead.

It was more of the same in the second half. The Wood regained the lead quickly in the first 15 minutes, following a brace of tries by strong running centre David James, one of which was converted by Josh Steer.

The Otters got back into the game when hooker Dan Smith touched down for an unconverted try in the right corner following an excellent move by the pack.

Then, with 10 minutes of the match remaining, winger James Russell finished off a flowing passing movement with a try in the left corner, converted by replacement fly-half Rhys Roberts, which proved to be the match winner.

The Wood pressed hard in the closing stages, but the visitors showed dogged defence to hold on to that precious lead of three points.

The final whistle came on an afternoon to be remembered for an outstanding game of rugby as spectators, many of whom were sleeveless, were treated to a thrilling spectacle as they basked in the sunshine.

It was a very good team performance by the Otters and individually for number eight Gareth Bateman, flanker Lawrence Reynolds, replacement fly-half Rhys Roberts and winger James Russell.

After three games against Eastern Valley teams, Narberth are home to familiar opponents Bonymaen tomorrow (Saturday).

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