Bargoed 49 pts. Narberth 17

Championship leaders Bargoed gave a top-of-the-table performance and took the game away from a below par Otters side by establishing a 28-3 lead at half-time. Bargoed ended as comfortable winners, despite a spirited comeback by Narberth at the start of the second half.

It was the first visit by Narberth to Bargoed Park and the players soon realised that they were up against an excellent team, capable of taking full advantage of any scoring opportunities on offer.

The Narberth players have been working hard in recent weeks to tighten up in defence, but a complete all-round display by the league leaders exposed any remaining defensive frailties ruthlessly.

Lacking the usual possession of the ball, the visitors had few chances to attack in the first half, but the Otters did sparkle briefly at the start of the second half to fightback with two well-taken converted tries.

But Bargoed bounced back with three converted tries in the last quarter of an hour to wipe away any remaining chance of the Otters coming back again.

The Narberth players, officials and the large contingent of supporters had to accept that Bargoed were the superior side on the day and good value for their impressive win.

Naturally disappointed with the result, head coach Sean Gale did not mince his words, when he said: "We let them into the game at the start, missed some crucial tackles and Bargoed scored from our mistakes.

"In the second half we played some good rugby for the first 20 minutes and got our game going during that period.

"Bargoed played very well and it is clear that they have a good side here.

"We struggled a bit in the lineout and some of our kicks went into touch on the full.

"To come up to play the Valleys teams, we must be on top of our game. On this occasion, we made too many mistakes and Bargoed, who are a very good side, thoroughly deserved to win.

"It was a lesson we needed to learn and we are still in a good position in the Championship table, but we must learn to win against these East Wales sides.

"When Bargoed come down to Narberth, as long as we can play to our game plan, I am sure that we will be more successful when we play them next time."

Excellent all-round rugby by Bargoed, boosted by some Otters' errors, gave the hosts the cushion of a 28-3 lead at the interval following tries by flanker Adam Coupe, winger Gareth Dare, hooker Leigh Meads, the club captain, and prop Jamie Howie.

The four tries were converted by fly-half Josh Prosser.

A penalty kick 10 minutes into the second half, by Narberth fly-half Stuart Morris, set up a lineout in a good position in the left corner.

As a result, the visitors scored their first try when the ball was moved out to the right and fullback Jonathan Morgan came into the line to score a try under the posts, converted by winger James Russell.

After 23 minutes, Russell himself was the next man on the score sheet when he intercepted the ball on the Narberth 40-metre line and ran up the left touchline to score a try in the left corner, which he converted.

With Narberth looking as if they were getting back into the game, hopes of Otters supporters received a setback, when Bargoed scored three successive tries. Graham Dare crossed for his second of the match and replacement scrum-half Matthew Hutcheons crossed for a brace.

Inevitably, all of the tries were converted by Josh Prosser.

Without the sterling efforts of the Narberth back row of Gareth Bateman, Wayne Williams and Lawrence Reynolds, the margin of the defeat would have been bigger and behind the scrum, centre Steve Martin never gave up.

After three weeks on the road, Narberth have a home fixture against Bridgend Athletic tomorrow (Saturday).

Narberth fielded: Jonathan Morgan, Nick Jones, Steve Martin (capt.), Richard Davies, James Russell, Sean Lloyd, Gareth Jones, Tom Slater, Gyles Vaughan, Alex Jenkins, Lawrence Reynolds, Wayne Williams and Gareth Bateman. Replacements - Rhys Roberts, Adrian Killa, Steffan Jones, Steffan Phillips. Timoci Kaumaitotoya