Narberth U16s 5 pts. Crymych U16s 38

The record books will show the same old story between these two rivals - but on the day there were quite a few different stories to be told behind the result.

There were quite a few might-have-beens as Narberth turned on a magnificent first half display which left them at 5-5. In fact, they could, and maybe should, have been ahead.

Despite Crymych’s superior turnover count, despite a scrum creaking under the pressure, despite a wayward lineout - the young Otters were fighting gamely and on top territorially.

Some 20 minutes in, a monster tackle by fullback Harri Harries put paid to a possible try-scoring run by the rampant Crymych winger and suddenly the Otters’ tails were up. Centre Rhys Kemble took a fabulous angle, seemingly to the heart of the Crymych defence. In fact, he beat them all and took out the last man in defence to score.

A second try could have followed when co-centre Ifan Rees went on a great run, only for the final pass to go astray.

The visitors hit back immediately, and the disheartened home team conceded two unnecessary penalties to allow Crymych to equalise against the run of play.

As half-time approached, Narberth were again unlucky to score from a great handling move by the backs.

Crymych opened the second half on fire and added another five points almost from the kick-off.

But the most heart-breaking of those might-have-beens was still to come. From a quickly taken penalty in their own 22, Narberth had designs on an exciting breakout. Instead Crymych intercepted for an easy converted try. The home crowd bayed for offside, convinced the scorer could not have been 10 metres away, but the damage was done and before Narberth could recover their composure from that blow there were another seven points on the board as the visitors broke through again with a good handling move.

The Otters were again unlucky to profit when their rolling maul from a lineout near the Crymych line appeared to be brought down.

Further insult was added when a similar move by Crymych made it all the way to the Narberth line and their woes were complete when the Crymych scrum-half went on a 70m breakaway run for an excellent crowning score.