Whitland 19 pts. Bridgend 29

Whitland lost their home match against Bridgend on Saturday, but can take a lot of heart from the performance as it was a huge improvement on the previous week.

The final score of 29 points to 19 in the Swalec League Division One West clash somewhat flattered the visitors and Whitland deserved something from the game.

Outside-half Rhys Jones opened the scoring for the Borderers, kicking a penalty after seven minutes, having just missed one some two mintues earlier.

They increased the lead 10 minutes later when, from a well-taken lineout by Aidan Laxton, quick ball saw Rhys Jones bring centre Gary Evans in on a great angle to force his way over for the try.

With Jones adding the conversion, it gave Whitland a useful 10-point lead.

Bridgend hit back, scoring an unconverted try by flanker Adam Hiller-Rees midway through the half.

Outside-half Daniel Griffiths, who was once a Whitland player, added a penalty some six minutes later and then Bridgend took the lead when second row Kyle Maiden touched down again for an unconverted try.

Whitland's Rhys Jones levelled the score at 13 points each on half-time with his second penalty.

With the strong wind at their backs in the second half, Bridgend increased thier lead with two Daniel Griffiths penalties in the first quarter, the second coming after Jack Mason was given a yellow card for a so-called dump tackle, which seemed rather harsh.

Twenty-seven minutes into the half, second row Lee Davies was yellow carded for the visitors.

On 30 minutes, after a grubber kick through by Daniel Griffiths, centre John Leishon gathered the bouncing ball to score Bridgend's third try, which Griffiths converted, and he also added a penalty a few mintues later.

Whitland hit back with a penalty by Rhys Jones to leave the final score 29 points to 19 to the visitors.

Man-of-the-match was awarded to prop Gareth Lloyd, but there were also great performances up front from Aidan Laxton, Jack Mason and Luke Kendall, while behind, Rhys Jones and centres Mike Giorgiou and Gary Evans all had some great touches.

Match referee was Mr. Alan Jenkins, Swansea.

Whtland fielded: Carwyn Jones, Johnny Morgan, Gary Evans, Mike Giorgiou, Will Davies, Rhys Jones, Huw Rees, Gareth Lloyd, Trystan Griffiths (Shane Webster), Andrew Jones (Aled Richards), Raff Williams (Dylan Richards), Aidan Laxton, Jack Mason (Celt Thomas), Ryan Michael (capt.), Luke Kendall. Sub not used - Ross Michael.

Main match sponsors - Whitland Ladies; team sponsors - Jeff Court, Station Garage, Huw Thomas, Agricultural Engineer and Lewis Lewis and Co. Ltd, Solicitors; ball sponsors - Snowy's Gang, K. P. Thomas and Son, Fuel Distributors, B.T., and Paul Morgan.

Morriston 2nd XV 11 pts. Whitland 2nd XV 17

Whitland 2nd XV recorded their first victory of the season in the Carmarthen Tyre Services League with an away win at Morriston by 17 points to 11.

Whitland trailed at the break by eight points to seven, with prop Gareth Jones getting their try and scrum-half Dafydd Evans converting.

In the second half, Dafydd Evans added a penalty, but it was left to winger Mitchell Rees to get the all-important score, touching down for Whitland's second try, which Evans converted, to seal their first win of the season.

Narberth Youth 21 pts. Whitland Youth 21

Whitland Youth came away with a draw against local rivals Narberth last Saturday, the scorelinebeing 21 points each.

In the first half, Whitland scored two converted tries through wingers Josh Cook and Stephen John, with outside-half Nico Setaro converting both, and with Narberth doing the same, the scores were tied at 14 points each at the break.

In the second half, Stephen John got his second try and Nico Setaro added the two points, but Narberth scored late in injury time to level the score at 21 points apiece.