Whitland 1st XV 14 pts. UWIC 1st XV 13

Whitland eased their way home to victory over UWIC by the narrowest of margins in a hard-fought battle at Parc Llwyn Ty Gwyn by 14 points to 13.

It was nothing more than they deserved in this SWALEC Division One West game, but it was never going to be easy on a heavy pitch which produced some good competitive rugby.

Whitland started in positive mood, but scrum-half Huw Rees missed a straight-forward early penalty and flanker Jack Mason was yellow-carded, but UWIC failed to make the one man advantage pay.

Then UWIC were reduced to 14 men when flanker Craig Howells was yellow carded and Whitland made them pay, after the pack did well to disrupt a UWIC scrum and flanker Celt Thomas gathered the loose ball and the forwards did the rest. Jack Mason ploughed his way over at the posts for Whitland's first try, with scrum-half Huw Rees adding the conversion.

They might have increased their lead after an excellent break by full-back Johnny Morgan, but Will Davies was unable to take the final pass and a golden chance was lost.

UWIC drew level after a chip by outside-half Carwyn Jones was charged down and centre Alex Carlton-Porter scored under the posts with winger Gareth Walters adding the two points. He also kicked a penalty in injury time at the end of the first half to give the students the lead at the break by 10 points to 7.

Three minutes into the second half, Walters added his second penalty to extend the students lead to 13 points to 7.

Rees failed with a penalty some two minutes later, and Whitland should have scored when winger Fraser Watson, making his debut, made an excellent midfield break and off-loaded well to centre Mike Georgiou, but again the final pass was dropped by Jack Mason with the line at his mercy.

Whitland however kept the pressure on, and after putting pressure on a scrum near the students line, replacement scrum-half Andrew Jenkins dived on the loose ball quick recycling by the back row great hands by the backs and fullback Johnny Morgan scored the all important try under the posts. Outside-half Carwyn Jones converted to give Whitland the deserved lead.

The Borderers finished the match on the attack and the final whistle saw them still that point in front to win by 14 points to 13 for a well-deserved victory.

MoM - Raff Williams.

Main match sponsor - Bysiau Cwm Taf Valley Coaches.

Ball sponsors - Mr. Brian Toms, Sammy Thomas and K.P. Thomas and Sons, of Templeton.

Team fielded: Johnny Morgan, Fraser Watson, Gary Evans, Mike Georgiou, Will Davies, Carwyn Jones, Huw Rees (Andrew Jenkins), Gareth Lloyd (Alun Davies), Marc Jones, Aled Richards (Andrew Davies), Raff Williams, Carl Smith, Celt Thomas (James Davies), Ryan Michael (capt.), Jack Mason.

Sub not used - Dion Thomas.

Ammanford 2nd XV 23 pts. Whitland 2nd XV 31

Whitland 2nd XV continued their good run of form in the Carmarthen Tyre Services Championship with a 31 points to 23 victory away at Ammanford on Saturday.

They led at the interval by 12 points to 11, with outsidehalf Jonathon Thomas kicking four penalties, the homeside crossing for an unconverted try and two penalties.

In the second half, Whitland scored three tries by winger James Criddle, centre Anthony James and captain and scrum-half Dafydd Evans, with Thomas adding two conversions. Ammanford scored two tries, converting one, to leave the full-time score 31 points to 23 and a well-earned victory on the road for the Borderers.

Crymych Youth 20 pts. Whitland Youth 10

Whitland lost to a strong Crymych side only scoring one try through centre Lewis Thomas, with Nico Setaro converting and also kicking a penalty.

Tomorrow (Saturday) sees the young Borderers travel to Penalta in the Webb Ellis Welsh Youth Cup, kick-off at 12 noon.