Narberth U16s 14 pts. Crymych U16s 20

This long-awaited Pembrokeshire KO Cup clash lived up to its billing as a mouth-watering clash between these old rivals.

And for the neutrals it was everything it was hoped to be - a great game of rugby that showcased commitment, grit and determination alongside finer skills of the highest order.

But for the home side it was disappointment once more against this most difficult of opponents.

Sitting on a 14-10 half-time lead, it could have been so different.

Narberth started on fire and it was some time before Crymych fought their way out of their own half. They won a series of penalties which finally paid off with a score under the posts by Ifan Phillips that was comfortably converted by Ifan Davies.

The next 10 minutes was one-way traffic as the young Otters sought to equalise - and so often came within inches of that elusive touchdown. Stephen Pilot, Dafydd Gibby, Ifan Rees and Rhys Kemble were all among the players putting in some fierce charges without completely breaking the defensive line.

In the end it was a subtle change of tactic that held the secret to success. Lewis Hough, having one of his best games at outside-half, put in a neat speculative kick behind the defence for wing Isaac Hughes to collect. Kemble’s touchline conversion was the icing on the cake.

Minutes later, Crymych took a kickable penalty by Davies to edge in front, but Narberth lost no time in regaining the upper hand. Strong runs by Jack Fussell, Talfan Jenkins and Rees made the hard yards before scrum-half Jordan James popped it short to an unstoppable Pilot. Kemble again added the conversion.

The second half was 20 minutes old before either team was able to break the deadlock and again a Davies penalty kick edged Crymych in front.

In the final quarter, with a yellow card on lively flanker Leon Whalley reducing Narberth to 14 men, Crymych flanker Rhys James, on a scorching run, found open space down the touchline before scoring near the posts and made the conversion easy to seal victory.