Narberth 20 pts. Aberystwyth 5: This game kicked off at midday in blazing sunshine and, except for a couple of water breaks, was played with great enthusiasm and commitment by both teams.

Narberth scored first after 10 minutes. They built up the attack with several phases from midfield and when the ball was released, a strong break was made by outside centre Evan Rees, who almost cleared the Aber defence, but when challenged, fed the ball to scrum-half Gordon James, who was supporting him, on the stand side of the ground, and in a flash was able to cross for an unconverted try.

The young Otters continued to attack in the opposing half, but failed with a penalty kick from a ruck offence.

Aberystwyth then responded and tested the Otters’ resolve with some determined running and phases. However the Narberth defence was strong and kept them away from the try line.

Narberth were awarded a scrum, from which they set up a relieving attack, during which young Leon Whalley, a converted flanker playing on the left wing, showed he could really build up speed combined with some elusive running.

On 34 minutes, the young Otters scored their second try. From a lineout, second row Griff Evans provided clean ball. The attack moved down the stand side, before moving in field to release the elusive Leon Whalley, enabling him to score on the right-hand side of the posts for an unconverted try.

This was the final score of the first half, giving Narberth a 10-0 lead.

After the restart, a feature of the game, from a Narberth point of view, was the numerous handling errors by the young Otters. This was frustrating, since they could have substantially added to their score.

Eventually, on 50 minutes, flanker Owain Hughes scored the third Narberth try. Unfortunately fly-half, Lewis Hoff, was having an off day with his place kicking.

From the restart, Aberystwyth attacked and forced the defending Otters to take the ball over their try line before grounding the ball. The referee had spotted an infringement and awarded a scrum on the five-metre line. Unfortunately for Aber, when the ball was released, they knocked-on and Narberth were able to break out.

Play then took place in front of the stand and at a fierce ruck, Narberth second row Daf Gibby suffered a deep gash on his head and, after a 10-minute delay for treatment, was withdrawn.

On 55 minutes, Narberth scored their fourth try. From a scrum, they moved the ball quickly through the threequarters to free outside centre Ifan Rees, who sprinted over to score. Again Lewis Hoff failed to find the posts with his conversion.

Aberystwyth restarted, but Narberth set up a period of several phases, before being penalised.

Aberystwyth kicked to touch for a lineout, but with the six-foot-six Griff Evans causing them problems, Narberth won the throw and scrambled the ball over the try line, only to be called back for a five-metre scrum.

Then, with 10 minutes of the game remaining, Narberth put fresh legs on the field from the subs bench.

Five minutes later, Aberystwyth scored. They were awarded a penalty on the Narberth 22 and, taking a quick tap, they moved forward with several strong rucks, releasing the ball quickly and outmanoeuvring the Narberth defence to score on the left side. Their kicker also failed with the conversion.

This proved to be the final score and the game ended with Narberth winning 20-5 in a most entertaining contest enjoyed by several supporters. Coach James Merriman was well pleased with the result.

Narberth fielded: Rhys Meredith Barrit, Ryan Scourfield, Evan Rees, Rhys Campbell. Leon Whalley, Lewis Hoff, Jordon James, Steven Pylot, Owain Hughes, Dylan Walsh, Griff Evans, Daf Gibby, Jack Norcross, Tom Clark, Caleb Higgon, Substitutes were Harry Harris, Dylan Speed and Owen Hughes.