Tenby United 5 Narberth 33 pts

It was like old times at Heywood Lane on Saturday as Coastal Cottages sponsored Tenby United and neighbours Narberth 'turned back the clock' to go head to head in a friendly fixture.

The match between the old adversaries was arranged to enable both squads to get some game time during the current lack of rugby caused by the SWALEC competitions and the Six Nations internationals - and provided some entertaining fare for their respective supporters.

The Otters currently play their rugby a couple of divisions higher than the United and no doubt went into the match as firm favourites, as they are enjoying a highly successful season and presently sit in a lofty position at the top of division one west.

Tenby, meanwhile, after gaining promotion last year, had a disappointing start to their new campaign in division three west, but seem to have turned things around in recent weeks, and were full of confidence after three excellent victories over leading sides in their section.

And as it turned out, it was the Seasiders who made the brighter start, being rewarded for their enterprise when classy centre Toby Smith cut through for an unconverted try in the opening exchanges.

In fact, it took the Otters 21 minutes to get some points on the board and when they did they got their noses in front as flanker John Bowen burst through from the 22 for a try, which was converted by outside-half Stuart Morris.

After that Narberth were never behind and added their second try eight minutes later when centre Richard Davies made the initial break and fullback Adam Phillips's support work was rewarded with a touchdown wide out that Morris did well to convert to give the Otters a deserved 14-5 interval lead

Tenby conceded a third try just 10 minutes into the second half when they failed to react quickly enough to handle a neat little chip ahead by Morris so that Richard Davies gathered and sped to the corner, with another excellent Morris conversion the icing on the cake.

Morris also converted Narberth's fourth try as winger Nick Jones broke clear, but failed to make it five out of five conversion attempts when skipper Steve Martin came on as replacement and showed a clean pair of heels to the Tenby cover defence.

It mattered little, however, because by then the Otters were good value for victory - but Tenby United certainly played their part in an absorbing tussle.

Commenting after the match, Otters head coach Sean Gale said: "Tenby United played to their strengths and took us by surprise with the intensity of their play at the start. We defended well and then our runners scored some nice tries.

"Tenby gave us a great game and it was an excellent workout for the players of both teams.

"We have four weeks without a league fixture, but are then looking forward to the home match against Bonymaen.

"In order to get more match practice, we are hoping to arrange a friendly fixture with Haverfordwest during the period before our next league fixture."

A number of the younger members of the Narberth squad had an opportunity to make a start, with fullback Adam Phillips, winger Gareth Rhys-Owen, centre Aled Jones and prop Lewis Davies each having an opportunity to catch the eye of the Narberth coaches.

Welsh Under 19 international lock, Llewellyn Jones made his debut for the Otters and demonstrated quire clearly that he is a player of the future.