WHITLAND 5 pts.

NEATH 15

Whitland entertained Neath on Saturday in the sixth round of the Konica Minolta Welsh Cup, and after an outstanding all-round performance went down by 15 points to five.

Whitland got on the scoreboard first when a break by flanker Johnny Koloi saw the ball being recycled along the backs for young centre Lee Glanville to go over in the corner for unconverted try.

Neath took the lead in the 12th minute with a try by back row forward Andy Llewellyn, who took a quick tap penalty and brushed aside two tackles to score. Outside-half Matthew Jones added the two points.

The All Blacks increased their lead in the 17th minute. Again the try came after a break by Llewellyn, which saw fellow back row forward Steve Phillips in support to take the scoring pass. This time Jones failed with the conversion.

This was the final score of the half, which left the interval score 12-5 in Neath's favour.

Neath came out strongly at the start of the second half, but Whitland's defence held firm.

The Borderers themselves then had a sustained period of pressure, with referee Colin Saunders awarding one penalty after another. Whitland used their lineout to good effect, trying to drive over, but were repelled by the Neath forwards.

However, a lot of home supporters felt there was possibly a good case for them to be awarded a penalty try, for continuous infringements by the visiting pack, with the Whitland forwards holding the edge in the scrums and lineouts.

Midway through the half, Neath increased their lead with a Matthew Jones penalty to take their advantage to 15 points to five, and try as they might, Whitland were unable to cross Neath's line, and after a gallant team performance, had to settle for second best. Nevertheless, every one of the 22-man squad can hold their heads up high for the wonderful effort made.

The man-of-the-match award was judged by two ex-Neath local prop forwards in Brian Williams and John Davies, and this went to Whitland's Gareth (Skills) Williams.

The main match sponsors were the ladies of Whitland RFC, team sponsors were Terry O'Neill, Team Tours Direct Swansea, Clifton Bowen and Wyn Rosser, and ball sponsors were Allen and Partners, Veterinary Surgeons, Whitland, Ron Mounsey, McDonalds, K. P. Thomas and Son, fuel distributors, of Templeton, and the Trevaughn Lodgers.

Team fielded: Gavin Morris, Jack Tremlett, Lee Glanville, Matthew Hughes (Eifion Roberts), Andrew Richards, Aled Davies, Andrew Jenkins (Gareth Davies), Gareth Williams (Romeo Colella), Jason Evans (Dafydd Lewis), Dai Jones (Ricky Davies), Carwyn Davies (Ben Armstrong), Fakatah Molitika, Johnny Koloi, Phil Morgan, capt., Randall Williams (John Bowen).

Tomorrow (Saturday), Whitland have a rearranged league match when they take on Bonymaen at Parc Llwyn Ty Gwyn - please note the early kick-off time of 2 pm.

Whitland Youth

Huge congratulations to head coach Marlais Thomas and his staff for the wonderful job they have done this season with the youth side, culminating in them winning their league section with an emphatic 47 points to 12 victory away at Cardigan.

Whitland scored seven tries, three by flanker Rhidian Thomas and one apiece for hooker Mark Jones, flanker Gareth Downs, outside-half Ross Harris and centre Ali Bowen, who also added five conversions.

Tonight (Friday) sees many of this side play Cardigan under lights in the Griffiths Under 18 Cup, at Whitland, with a 7.15 pm kick-off.