After a disappointing run of league defeats, Whitland put a smile back on their supporters faces as they started the new year with a win on Saturday.

Although their division one match against Glamorgan Wanderers was far from a classic encounter, the victory was just the shot in the arm the Borderers needed as they entered 2003.

Even so they left it late to finally stamp their authority on a lacklustre game, with the match only really bursting into life in the final 20 minutes.

Before that, both sides had struggled to come to terms with the difficult conditions at the Memorial Ground, the heavy going underfoot making free-flowing running rugby something of a lottery.

Indeed, there was little to warm the chilled crowd in the opening period, with the only scores in the first half coming from the boot.

Outside-half Daniel Griffiths banged over a penalty for the Borderers, while Mathew Maunder replied in similar fashion for the Wanderers.

Winger Craig Richards also went close to scoring for Whitland, but unluckily saw his boot clip the corner flag as he dived over for a try, which consequently was disallowed.

In the testing conditions, it was not surprising that the match developed into a gruelling battle up front, and it was here that the Borderers often held the upper hand, with their impressive back row trio of Tristan Mabbutt, Tristan Bowen and Randall Williams always in the thick of the action.

And it was another forward, prop Gareth Williams, who eventually bagged the first try of the match as he bulldozed over for the touchdown, with Griffiths adding the extras with a successful conversion.

The Wanderers soon hit back with a try of their own from Owain Thomas, with Maunder levelling the scoes as he slotted over the conversion.

But it was Daniel Griffiths who had the final say as he crossed for the winning try in the final minute of proper time and also fired over the conversion for good measure.

Tomorrow (Saturday), Whitland will be hoping to continue their winning ways when they entertain Cross Keys at Parc Llwyn Ty Gwyn.