There was no happy Christmas for either of Pembrokeshire's two National League division one sides on Saturday, with both Whitland and Narberth losing.

Whitland faced league leaders Pontypool at Parc Llwyn Ty Gwyn, but, while putting up stalwart resistance, eventually crumbled to a 29-3 defeat.

Pontypool got off to the brighter start and used their greater power and strength in depth to optimum advantage in the second half to notch up a scoreline which did not really do justice to the industry of the Borderers throughout.

Centre Ben Jefferies opened the try scoring for Pooler when he seized on loose ball following a charged down kick and bulldozed his way over for a try.

Outside half Byron Hayward converted and then added a penalty to give the visitors a 10 point lead.

Both sides were reduced to 14 men just before the change around when Borderers prop Dai Jones and Pooler's boilerhouse opposite number Stuart Meddick were sidelined for an incident following a scrum.

In a nip and tuck first half the Green and Whites actually had a slight edge over Pooler up front, and were unlucky not to have points on the board, but the visitors geared up after the interval, with a further three tries which ended the game as a contest.

Lenny Woodward bagged the first for Pooler but Hayward was unable to add the extras.

The pivot made amends when he converted a penalty try awarded to the visitors following an attempted interception and was on hand to round things off by converting Pooler's third second half try, a touch down from replacement scrum half Kevin Ellis.

It was another long voyage home for near neighbours Narberth, who again suffered a bout of travel sickness, this time away to Blackwood.

The homesters effectively won the game in the first quarter, when 17 points in as many minutes all but killed off the Otters resistance, the visitors eventually going down by 36 points to 10.

Martin Jones opened Blackwood's scoring with a penalty before Roger Bidgood rounded off a free flowing move, initiated by an interception in the home 22, with a touch down.

Stand-off Jones converted and was on hand to add the extras when flanker Craig Clement capitalised on second phase to crash over.

Although they seemed to be living off scraps, the Narberth three-quarter line tried to utilise their scant possession to good effect, and hit back with a well worked try from fullback Nick JOnes.

Pivot Simon Daniel who had orchestrated the touchdown, was unable to convert and the Otters found themselves with their backs to the wall by the interval following a third Blackwood try, this time from flanker David Hallman, which was again converted by Jones.

Narberth tightened up their defence in the second half, preventing Blackwood from scoring any more tires, but indiscipline was to add to their woes, as they gave away three penalties which points machine Jones easily converted.

Although there was an obvious lack of sparkle from this Narberth side, they still had the last word when replacement centre Mike Jones bagged an unconverted try in the corner, but it was too little too late to prevent another defeat for the battle weary Otters.

There were also mixed fortunes for Narberth Athletic over the festive period.

Boxing Day saw them take on Crymych in the Gareth Edwards Memorial Cup but they lost out on the silverware after surrendering their interval lead.

Although they had the upper hand the Athletic had to settle for an unconverted try from Paul Bowen and a penalty by Richard Morris going into the break, and the eight points were never going to be enough as Crymych opened the throttle in the second half.

Fullback Barry Davies bagged two tries while his three-quarter line namesake, also touched down.

Wing Siín Thomas converted two and added two penalties to complete the scoring.

The Athletic did pick up a late Christmas present on Saturday however, with a 23 points to 15 win away to LLangennech.

Ian Dobel, Ifan Davies and Fifitapuku Faletau crossed for tries, two of which were converted by Aled Davies. Davies also added two penalties.

For the record Llangennech replied with two tries, one conversion and a penalty.