WHITLAND 22

BEDWAS 20

Whitland had a point to prove against Bedwas in their National League clash at Parc Llywn Ty Gwyn on Saturday.

Although promoted, their chances of entering next year's division one as division two champions had been cruelly snatched away with their last gasp defeat at the hands of Carmarthen Athletic the previous Bank Holiday Monday.

It gifted rivals Bedwas the league crown without firing a shot, but there was still the question over who was the better team, a question the Borderers answered with a last gasp winner when they squared up to the title holders on home turf at the weekend.

However, the Green and Whites had to come from behind to do it as the league champions opened up an early lead.

Centre Rhys Nicholas slotted over a penalty to open the scoring for the visitors, before wing Andrew Harries jinked through for an unconverted try.

Flanker Martin Lewis improved the scoreline when he barged through from a close range lineout to touch down with Nicholas adding the extras to put Bedwas in the driving seat, 15 points ahead in as many minutes.

The Borderers are nothing if not resilient, however, with flanker Mike Buckingham reducing the deficit with a try, converted by Daniel Griffiths.

That was how the scoreline stood until midway through the second half when back row man Phil Norgan grabbed a try from a tap penalty and Griffiths added the extras to reduce the arrears to a single point.

A penalty from Griffiths saw Whitland edge their noses in front, to the delight of the home crowd, but the joy was short-lived, the visitors clawing back the advantage through an unconverted Deri Maltravers try.

In the final third, Bedwas certainly had the look of champions, keeping the pressure on the Borderers, but good work from the home pack enabled them to send fullback Craig Richards through from deep.

Neatly chipping his opposite number, Richards won the race to the touch down to grab a vital try with just two minutes to go.

Although it went unconverted by Griffiths, it proved enough to seal victory and put the Borderers on level terms with Bedwas in the table - the visitors claiming the crown through superior try count.

Whitland fielded: Craig Richards, Eifion Lewis, Brad Baker, Johnny Kiloi, Wayne Lewis, Daniel Griffiths, Rob Phillips, Gareth Williams, Steve Gerrard, Dai Jones, Rickie Davies, Dai Ebsworth, Randall Williams, Mike Buckingham, Phil Morgan.