CWMLLYNFELL 6 pts. WHITLAND 16

After winning the home match by 10 points to nine, Whitland travelled to face Cwmllynfell in their return Asda League Division One match last Sunday. Cwmllynfell had not lost at home at Bryn Park in a league fixture for over two-and-a-half seasons, but Whitland produced a battling performance to come away with the points after an excellent 16-6 victory. Playing with the advantage of the slope and a stiff breeze in the first half, the home side opened the scoring with a penalty by winger Ashley Carter after eight minutes. And they were unlucky not to go further ahead when referee Ken Bowen blew up for a forward pass as they were crossing the line for a try. However, they did increase their lead with another Carter penalty after 33 minutes. Whitland also had their chances, one by hooker Aled Harris, who made a break from the halfway line, but failed to burst through the last tackle, with the movement eventually coming to nothing. Winger Dion Thomas and flanker Phil Morgan also went close, before outside-half Aled Davies did finally get his side onto the score-sheet with a drop goal just before the half-time whistle, with Whitland turning round six points to three down. Seven minutes into the second period, a chance to draw level went begging when Davies failed with a penalty attempt, but there was better to come when the Borderers took the lead after 18 minutes. Fly-half Davies kicked deep into the opposition 22, where Raff Williams took the lineout from the Cwmllynfell throw. A sharp pass from scrum-half Andrew Jenkins saw Aled Davies bring in flanker Celt Thomas on the burst, and he broke through two tackles to score the all-important try for Whitland. Davies added the extras from the conversion. Six minutes later, Cwmllynfell were caught offside, and scrum-half Jenkins, knowing the penalty was coming, attempted a drop goal, which just crept over to increase his side's lead to 13 points to six. Cwmllynfell's indiscipline again let them down four minutes later and again Davies made them pay by adding the three points from the penalty. He failed with another attempt in the 33rd minute, but as it turned out, it did not matter, as the delighted Borderers ran out victorious after a tremendous display. Foundations for the win were laid by their powerful pack, who on the day proved too strong for the home side, with outstanding performances by skipper Randall Williams, young Ryan Michael, who replaced the ever-present Phil Morgan after 50 minutes, and Celt Thomas, while there was some powerful scrummaging by Gareth Williams. Behind, scrum-half Andrew Jenkins and outside- half Aled Davies controlled things superbly and always had their opponents on the backfoot. Tomorrow (Saturday) sees Whitland play Ystrad Rhondda at home, with a 2.30 pm kick-off. Team fielded: Lee Glanville, Will Davies, Gary Evans, Eifion Roberts, Dion Thomas, Aled Davies, Andrew Jenkins, Gareth Williams, Aled Harris, Andrew Morillo (Romeo Colella), Carwyn Davies, Raff Williams, Celt Thomas (John Bowen), Phil Morgan (Ryan Michael), Randall Williams, capt. Subs not used - Alun Davies and Jack Tremlett.