Bonymaen needed just one point to clinch the title, and after leading 23-3 at half-time, must have felt they had it well and truly in the bag.
But Whitland never gave up, outscoring Bonymaen in the second half by 26 points to 10, but it wasn't enough and chief executive of the Welsh Rugby Union, Mr. Roger Lewis, was on hand to present the championship trophy to the worthy winners, who had lost only four games all season, with the Borderers consolidating fifth place in the table. Bonymaen's right winger Jason Wride scored their first try after five minutes. Outside-half Gareth James converted and also kicked two penalties after eight and 15 minutes, before Whitland's own outside-half, Aled Davies, opened his side's scoring with a penalty, only to see James reply again some three minutes later. With 10 minutes to go to half-time Bonymaen scored their second try through flanker Ewan Hopkins, with James aghain adding the extras. Whitland started the second half the brighter and Aled Davies, who had been felled by fellow outside- half James, kicked for the corner from the resulting penalty. A good take by skipper Randall Williams saw him driven on by the forwards, before the ball was released and Davies sold a dummy and went in under the posts for his side's first try; he also added the conversion.
Thirteen minutes into the half, Davies hoisted a high up-and-under which led to Bonymaen being penalised. From the resulting penalty, centre Lee Glanville took a quick tap and bursting through two tackles to run in from some 40 metres out. Davies was successful with the conversion, as was his opposite number James with another penalty for Bonymaen. Midway through the half Whitland scored their third try which came from a great team effort. Following good work by forwards and backs alike, which stretched the Bonymaen defence, left wing Christiaan Roets was on hand to cross for the touchdown.
This time the try went unconverted, but the Borderers were now back within four points of the visitors. Like true champions, however, Bonymaen responded with five minutes to go when they scored their third try of the afternon through winger Jason Wride, who gathered a bouncing ball from a chip from fullback Ian Brooks. Again James added the extras to stretch the visitors' lead to 11 points.
Still Whitland did not give up, scoring again just before full-time, when their hard-working number eight and skipper Randall Williams took a quick tap penalty and drove through the defence to touch down.
Aled Davies added the conversion and, although Whitland outscored the visitors by four tries to three, referee Greg Morgan blew the final whistle to leave the final score 33-29 to the worthy champions of the league, Bonymaen. Centre Lee Glanville was nominated as man-of-the- match.
Team fielded: Will Davies, Dion Thomas, Gary Evans (Matthew Hughes), Lee Glanville, Christiaan Roets, Aled Davies, Luke Marsh, Alun Davies, Jason Evans (Richard Smith), Andrew Morillo (Romeo Colella), Raff Williams, Aled Evans (Carwyn Davies), Celt Thomas, Phil Morgan (Matthew Owens), Randall Williams, capt. Match sponsors: Morgan Laroche; Whitland Old Boys; Castell Howell Foods Ltd.; Coors Brewers. Team sponsors: John Evans, Builder, Haverfordwest; Sponsorship Committee, Whitland RFC; The Injury Clinic, St. Clears.
Ball sponsors: Woodfield Nursing Home, Narberth; K. . Thomas and Son Ltd., Templeton; Hipsters; G. and J. M. Phillips, Electrical Contractors, Whitland; Peter Ebenezer; John and Vicky Gardener; Wades Electrical, Haverfordwest; James McNaughton Paper Ltd.; A. N. Morgans, Builder, Whitland; Jan and Liz, S.H.A.G. (Whitland branch); Paul Rogers; Allen and Partners, Veterinary Surgeons. Whitland Wanderers 35 pts. Mumbles 14
The Wanderers finished their season in the Poly Pipe Civils League on a winning note, outscoring the visitors by four tries to two. Try scorers for Whitland were wingers Wayne Morris and Ross Michael, outside-half Shane Morgan and flanker Stuart Phillips, with Ross Michael converting three and also kicking three penalties. In reply, scorers for Mumbles were Chris Doleman with two trie and outside-half Dai Hammond, who converted both. Tomorrow (Saturday) sees Whitland play their semi- final in the Pembrokeshire Junior Union Cup, away to Haverfordwest Seconds, with an early kick-off at 1 pm. Whitland Youth 12 pts. Crymych Youth 6 Whitland Youth, in front of a crowd nearing 400 last Friday night, defeated Crymych in the semi-final of the Pembrokeshire Youth Cup. With the game also doubling up for the league, the victory also now puts Whitland in with a real chance of claiming that as well.
The match was a wonderful advert for youth rugby, played in the right spirit by two well-matched teams, with Whitland just edging the visitors in a tryless game, both sides being nervous of opening the game up with so much at stake. Whitland led at half-time by six points to three, thanks to two penalties by winger James Stevenson, with scrum-half Huw Rees replying with one for the visitors. It was the same again in the second half, with the kickers trading penalties, two to one in favour of the home side. Whitland Ladies 5 pts. Blaenau Gwent 17
Whitland Ladies played in the Welsh Women's National Plate Final at Waunarlwydd RFC last Sunday.
Reaching the final in their inaugural season was a great achievement by Whitland, but on this occasion they came up against an older and more experienced side who celebrate their 21st season this year.
The big difference was at the scrummage, with the heavier Gwent pack dominating throughout, scoring two push-over tries and starving Whitland of possession. The ladies of Whitland never gave up, however, and in the second half, on the scraps of possession, showed they are a force to be reckoned with in women's rugby in Wales. Blaenau Gwent's points in the first half came from tries by number eight Stephanie Turnbull and centre Helena Parfitt, with outside-half Vicky Jenkins converting one. Early in the second half, Turnbull scored a second try which went unconverted. Whitland's only try came after winger and lady-of- the-match Tammy Howells went on one of her elusive runs. She was tackled short of the line, but Whitland's forwards picked up and drove on, and the ever-present flanker, Natalie Walsh, was on hand to touch down. Fullback Joley Davies failed with the conversion attempt.
Whitland came close again midway through the half, again after a blistering run by Howells, but number eight Vicky Owens was brought down just short of the line.
There were good performances from the whole squad, led by prop Natalie Bowen.