Whitland 31 pts. Bonymaen 18

Whitland increased their lead at the top of Swalec National Division One West with a bonus point victory over second-placed Bonymaen at Parc Llwyn Ty Gwyn on Saturday.

A large crowd was well entertained by two sides playing some great rugby, but it was Whitland who proved too strong all-round in the end and took the five points.

Bonymaen took the lead after five mintues when, from turnover ball, centre Richie Williams kicked through and winger Chris Hoppe won the race to get the tounchdown. The try went unconverted.

Five minutes later, Whitland outside-half Aled Davies failed with a penalty attempt.

Bonymaen increased their lead shortly after when outside-half Ian Brooks kicked through and centre Nick Harwood got the try. Brooks added the conversion to give the visitors a 12-point lead.

Two minutes later, Aled Davies failed with his second penalty attempt, on this occasion hitting the post.

The Borderers finally got on the scoreboard after 21 minutes when they bagged their first try. After the backs had stretched the Bonymaen defence, quick recycled ball saw prop Alun 'Tank' Davies get the touchdown, with fullback James Stephenson taking over the kicking duties and slotting the conversion.

Whitland took the lead with a great try by centre and skipper Lee Glanville. With a move straight off the training park, good ball from a solid scrum saw Aled Davies totally confuse Bonymaen's defence and bring Glanville in on a great angle and he burst through the last man to score.

Again Stephenson added the conversion, for Whitland to lead by 14 points to 12, only for Ian Brooks to soon respond with a penalty for Bonymaen to lead at the interval by 15 points to 14.

Early in the second half, Brooks added his second penalty, before James Stephenson kicked one for Whitland after Bonymaen's backs were caught offside.

The Borderers then started to dominate the game up front and, with Aled Davies pinning the visitors deep in their half, it was only a matter of time before the Green and Whites would add to their total.

Whitland were attacking in the top corner and when a kick through was gathered by Bonymaen, the danger seemed to have passed, but the clearing kick was charged down by winger Dion Thomas, who gathered and raced in at the corner for his side's third try, with Stephenson again slotting the conversion from the touchline.

After 36 minutes, Whitland scored a bonus point fourth try. Again after great work by the forwards driving deep into Bonymaen's half, Aled Davies threw a dummy which sent the defence wide, but instead, he kicked over the top and winger Will Davies came through to gather and score under the posts.

Young Stephensonagain confidently stepped up to slot the conversion to take his own personal tally to 11 points. .

Bonymaen never gave up until the final whistle, but it was Whitland's afternoon, which they well deserved.

Up front, Alun Davies, Raff Williams and Celt Thomas had great games, while behind, Aled Davies controlled things and skipper Lee Glanville led by example. Winger Will Davies always looked dangerous, with everyone playing their part, but it was fullback James Stephenson's all-round game, assured under the high ball, great vision in the counter-attack, great tackling and his place kicking, which won him man-of-the-match from the sponsors.

Match referee: Mr. Huw Williams, Neath.

Team fielded: James Stephenson, Dion Thomas, Lee Glanville (capt.), Gary Evans (Aled Jones), Will Davies, Aled Davies, Huw Rees, Alun Davies, Marc Jones (Trystan Griffiths), Romeo Colella (Andrew Howells), Raff Williams, Carl Smith (Randall Williams), Celt Thomas, Ryan Michael, Luke Kendall (Jack Mason).

Main match sponsors: Coors Brewers and PGS Fabrications, Johnston.

Team sponsors: Hipsters and Bois, Pwll Trap.

Ball sponsors: Paul and Karen Morgan, Natwest Ladies, K. P. Thomas and Sons, Sinclair Finance and Leasing, Ron Mounsey, McDonalds and Jen James Ceramicist.

Bonymaen 2nd XV 11 pts. Whitland 2nd XV 14

Whitland moved up to second place in the Carmarthen Tyre Services League with a hard fought away win against their Bonymaen counterparts.

Whitland's fly-half Shane Morgan dropped a goal, fullback Darren Rees slotted two penalties and number eight Mathew Owens got the all-important match-winning try in their 14 points to 11 victory.

Aberdare Youth nil Whitland Youth 23 pts.

Whitland travelled to Aberdare in the first round of the Webb Ellis Welsh Cup and came away victorious by 23 points to nil.

In the first half, winger Duncan Evans scored a try, while skipper and outside-half Scott Newton added the conversion and also slotted a penalty, for Whitland to lead 10-nil at the break.

In the second half, Duncan Evans added his second try second row Dafydd Walters scored another for the young Borderers, while scrum-half Aled Rees slotted a drop goal to leave the final score 23 points to nil.