FINE margins earned Narberth their 26-13 victory at Newcastle Emlyn in what was an engrossing match between the only two Championship sides in the Scarlets region.

Narberth came with a game plan suitable for the heavy underfoot conditions, and executed it perfectly. Their defence was superb, and time after time Emlyn struggled to make ground against them.

When they did breach their first line of defence, Narberth played the referee to perfection, in slowing the home side’s ball down at every ruck, and allowing time to reorganise their defensive structure.

Emlyn had probably 70 per cent possession, but Narberth, to their credit, showed why they are second in the league, with some clinical finishing to maximise scoring opportunities that came their way.

Led by inspirational captain Alex Williams, Emlyn threw wave after wave of attacks at the visitors, and he was ably supported by Emlyn’s two big ball carrying forwards Joel James and Luke Kendall.

Kendall got close to scoring on three occasions, only to be dragged down inches from the line by at least three defenders.

Excellent covering by winger Iestyn Crompton denied the visitors a try under the posts from the first kick-off, but Emlyn were penalised at the resultant ruck and Jonathan Rogers opened the account with a simple kick in front of the posts.

They then extended their lead when Rogers put in an excellent cross field kick to right wing Liam Hutchins, who crossed over in the corner for an unconverted try.

Narberth were penalised at the restart, and Emlyn outside half Ashley Sutton kicked a 30 metre penalty to open their account - but it needed some excellent tackling from flankers Callum Evans and Owain Powell to keep the visitors at bay.

Sutton converted a penalty goal, to bring Emlyn to within two points of the visitors, but the hosts were disrupted by injuries and Narberth quickly increased their lead when their captain second row Alex Jenkins crossed for their second try.

This acted as a spur for the home side and the last 15 minutes saw almost complete territorial dominance, but on the heavy pitch Emlyn failed to capitalise.

The second half started with Narberth full back Nick Gale being unsuccessful with a kick at goal, but turn over ball on the home 10 metre line led to left winger Jack Parkinson sprinting over in the corner for his side’s third try of the game.

Emlyn came more into the game, but jinking runs by Ashley Sutton and Steffan Evans came to nothing, before Joel James was tackled just inches from the line.

Scrum half Mike Jones also made a lovely break, but he was unable to find number eight Brynmor Jones with a pass.

It took until the 35th minute of the half before Emlyn finally crossed the try line, as skipper Williams burst through the defensive line and managed to shrug off another couple of tackles to score by the posts, for Sutton to convert to at least bring them to within bonus point range.

Narberth fought back with great determination, however, and with time running out, Rogers converted a penalty, and then flanker Tom Powell managed to force his way over for a fourth, bonus point try, with the final play of the game.