WHITLAND 46 pts.

WAUNARLWYDD 14

Whitland started the day level with their visitors to Parc Llwyn Ty Gwyn, Waunarlwydd, but after totally dominating all aspects of the game and gaining a bonus point victory, the impressive Borderers went clear at the top of Division One West on Saturday night.

Young outside-half Nico Setaro opened the scoring when he kicked an early penalty and after 14 minutes the same player went over for Whitland's first try, also adding the conversion.

Whitland took the restart and, after good work by the pack, quick ball was released for the backs to attack. When the ball went to ground, again the pack took it on and second row Rhys Jones was on hand to score his side's second try in as many minutes, with Setaro again adding the two points to open up a 17-point lead for the Borderers.

Midway through the half, Waunarlwydd scored their only points of the opening period when left winger Alan Pope crossed for a try and right winger Lee Evans added the conversion.

But Whitland hit back straight away and from the kick-off gathered the ball and quick hands and great support play saw flanker Ryan Michael score their third try, with Setaro again on target with the conversion.

Just before the break, centre Gary Evans scored Whitland's fourth try which gave the home side a bonus point and a healthy lead of 29-7 at the half-time interval.

Whitland increased their lead with a Setaro penalty within five minutes of the restart and, after 12 minutes, the game was put out of sight when man-of-the-match Ryan Michael intercepted and ran in from 65 metres to score his second and Whitland's fifth try, which was again converted by Setaro.

With some 17 minutes left on the clock, Waunarlwydd were awarded a penalty try for a player being tackled without the ball in the red zone and fullback Josh Hammett added the conversion to double their score.

Whitland scored their sixth try when winger Fraser Watson gathered loose ball deep in his half, kicked up the touchline, regathered, got tackled on halfway, released the ball, got to his feet, regathered and sped over for the touchdown. This time the try went unconverted.

From the restart, Whitland gathered the ball and the forwards drove upfield, where replacement scrum-half Huw Rees worked the blindside and put Ryan Michael away, with the back row man showing great feet to stay in field and cross for his third try, to seal a very good afternoon's work for the Borderers.

Up front, there were good performances from prop Richard Smith, the cornerstone of Whitland's strong scrum, hooker Marc Jones, flanker Dylan Richards and, of course, Ryan Michael, while behind, scrum-half Andrew Jenkins controlled things, centre Gary Evans showed some great touches, with fellow centre Mike Giorgiou putting in some big hits and always getting over the gain line. Fullback Lee Glanville was solid under the high ball and made some good breaks and, with young Nico Setaro and wing Dafydd Williams learning their trade and showing some great touches, things are bright in the Whitland camp.

Match referee was Mr. Andrew Miles, of Hook.

Man-of-the-match: Ryan Michael

Team fielded: Lee Glanville, Fraser Watson, Gary Evans, Mike Giorgiou (Scott Newton), Dafydd Williams, Nico Setaro, Andrew Jenkins (Huw Rees), Richard Smith, Maec Jones (Aled Harries), Rhodri West, Raff Williams, capt., Rhys Jones (Tomi Jones), Dylan Richards, Ryan Michael, Celt Thomas. Sub not used - Alun Davies.

Main match sponsor - David Harries and Co. Factors of Whitland.

Team sponsors - Haverfordwest Coins and Castell Howell Foods.

Ball sponsors - Paul Rodgers, Allen and Partners, Veterinary Surgeons, Whitland; Ron Mounsey, McDonalds, Carmarthen, Haverfordwest and Swansea; K. P. Thomas and Son, Fuel Distributors, Templeton.

SECOND XV

Whitland travelled to Waunarlwydd and, after a difficult game and having to score two converted tries in the last nine minutes, came out on top by 30 points to 24.

At the break, Whitland trailed by 17 points to 13, with their points coming from a try by Adam Davies, converted by outside-half Jonathan Thomas, who also kicked two penalties.

In the second half, Thomas added a further penalty, but Whitland found themselves trailing by 24 points to 16 going into the last nine minutes of the game.

However, first fullback Alex Pickersgill crossed for his side's second try, which Thomas converted to cut the lead to just one point, and then, with only minutes remaining, winger Dion Thomas scored a third and Thomas again converted to give Whitland the victory.

Youth XV

Whitland Youth won their third game in the league to stay unbeaten this season with a comfortable away victory at St. Davids by 47 points to 15, scoring seven tries and keeping their line intact, with all of the home side's points coming from penalties.

Whitland's try scorers were outside half Dan Lewis, 2, and one each for wingers James John and Jason Reynolds, fullback David Dunfee and centres Mikey Williams and Liam Price, who also converted four of them.

Ladies XV

Whitland entertained Caernarfon last Sunday and, with the visitors boasting some current Welsh internationals, found them too strong and went down by 37 points to 12.

At the break, Whitland were down by 17 points to 12, scoring two tries by hooker Sara Davies and number eight Natalie Bowen, with Carys Moyle converting one, with the visitors crossing for three tries and converting one.

In the second half, Caernarfon crossed for a further four unanswered tries, none of which was converted, to make the long journey home to North Wales all the better for a good all-round preformance and leave Whitland looking for their first win of the season.