LLANDOVERY 2NDS 31 pts WHITLAND SECONDS 33

Whitland played Llandovery in the final of the Carmarthen Tyre Services Cup last Thursday and won by 33 points to 31 in what turned out to be a memorable game.

Trailing 12-nil at the break and down 24-nil with just 20 minutes remaining, never-say-die Whitland staged the comeback of all comebacks, scoring five tries in the last quarter to clinch the cup in the most dramatic fashion

Their attitude was a credit to themselves, the management and Whitland RFC, but what a rollercoaster ride it was; a great game of rugby for the large crowd watching, but not so good for the nerves.

Llandovery scored two tries in the first half, converting one, to lead 12-nil at the break.

They increased this by adding two further tries and another conversion early in the second half to lead 24-nil.

Replacement back row John Bowen got Whitland's first try when he crashed over and outside-half Scott Newton converted.

Llandovery hit back straight away, scoring a converted try, and at 31 points to seven must have thought the game and cup was in the bag, but boy were they wrong.

Next, after great work by the forwards and good hands by the backs, replacement fullback Nico Setaro chipped over the top and raced through to gather and score Whitland's second try, with Newton again converting to cut the deficit to 31-14.

Quick thinking by Scott Newton then saw him put in a cross kick for Setaro to take and beat two defenders to score a third try, with Newton adding the extras.

Soon after, a quick tap penalty by replacement scrum-half Dafydd Evans was taken on by the forwards and then the backs, before winger James Criddle chipped through and gathered to score his side's fourth try.

Newton again banged over the conversion and the lead was now down to just three points with the sore at 31-28.

With the referee indicating one minute left on his watch, Whitland knew they had to firstly win the restart and then keep it in play. This they did, with the pack taking the ball up to Llandovery's 10-metre line, before releasing to the backs, who had run great angles all night.

Centre Dafydd Williams straightened things up and the gap was created for man-of-thematch Nico Setaro to speed down the line and amazingly score his side's fifth try in as many minutes.

Although Scott Newton failed with the conversion, it mattered not, as the referee blew his whistle and Whitland had won, blowing Llandovery away in the last quater, scoring five tries and lifting the cup by 33 points to 31.

No words can describe it; you just had to be there to witness what was a great comeback and a great game of rugby, played in great spirit and a credit to both Whitland and Llandovery.

Ken Owen, of the Scarlet,s chose Nico Setaro as man-of-the-match, but the whole of the Whitland squad were the winners on the night - well done.

Whitland fielded: Dafydd Williams, James Criddle, Andrew Hawkins (Nico Setaro), Anthony James (Steve Aston), Micthell Rees, Scott Newton, Adam Davies (Dafydd Evans), Martin Nicholas, capt. (Daniel Thomas), Shane Webster, Lee Williams (Chris Davies), Sam James (Barry Jones), Geraint Rees, Carl Smith (John Bowen), James Thomas (Celt Thomas), Mike Jones.