It's amazing what a victory can do for your confidence. Before last week, Whitland had gone eight straight matches without a single win.

Now, however, they have two victories under their belts, after celebrating their second successive success in division one of the National League against Cross Keys on Saturday.

Their hard-earned victory against Pontypool the previous week had obviously done wonders in lifting their spirits, and they again showed great determination and courage to keep Cross Keys at bay in another nail-biting encounter.

Indeed, the match, played in glorious sunshine at the Parc Llwyn Ty Gwyn ground, followed a very similar pattern to that against Pontypool, with the ebullient Borderers establishing a lead and then having to hang on to it in the closing stages with some dogged defence.

But hang on they did, as they showed great passion and pride to repel the Cross Keys attacks with some tough and uncompromising tackling in what was a gritty team performance.

In fact, the visiting Keys had held the upper hand for much of the match, but failed to turn their pressure into points against the battling Borderers who displayed a never-say-die attitude throughout.

Admittedly, the Keys took the lead with a Worgan penalty, but despite their considerable territorial advantage, it was Whitland who went in at half-time with their noses in front.

And not surprisingly, it was impressive scrum-half Rob Phillips who gave them that advantage as he wriggled his way over for a vital touchdown after prop Romeo Colella and flanker Rob Norton had forced the visitors back with some powerful play up front.

The try went unconverted by fly-half Daniel Griffiths, but was just the boost Whitland needed as the teams turned around at the break.

Early in the second half, Griffiths swopped penalties with Worgan, before the Borderers extended their lead in what was perhaps surprising fashion.

Playing out of position at centre, the powerful Mike Buckingham - normally a back row forward - received possession from a set-piece, and after brushing Worgan aside, showed his deft skills and speed by chipping ahead and winning the race for the touchdown.

This time Griffiths added the extras with a successful conversion to open up a 10-point gap, and as it turned out that proved just too much for the Keys.

Despite an all out effort in the final stages, they were only able to breach the Whitland defence on one occasion when winger Gareth Davies slipped through the net for a consolation try.

It was to prove the final score of the afternoon, leaving the Borderers with another memorable win and sending the Whitland faithful home with beaming smiles as bright as the sun.

The Green and Whites will be hoping to continue their recent improvement tomorrow (Saturday) when they travel to play Tondu, while they also have another league match next Wednesday evening when they entertain Merthyr.