Whitland travelled away to play Tredegar last Saturday in a National League division one match and came away from the Recreation Ground with a comfortable win by 48 points to 10.

The Borderers looked rusty after their three-week lay off, and with Tredegar throwing everything at them in the first 20 minutes, it wasn't until the 25th minute that the green and whites opened the scoring with an Aled Davies penalty.

Tredegar hit back in the 28th minute when outside-half Gareth Kearney kicked a penalty, only for Whitland to respond in the 33rd minute with another Aled Davies penalty and increase their lead two minutes later with a try by scrum-half Gareth Davies.

Whitland were awarded a scrum on their 10-metre line and when Davies picked up at the base, he worked the blindside before feeding fly-half Davies, who delayed his pass to winger Andrew Richards until the last minute, giving Richards a clear run, with flanker Johnny Koloi in support. Richards gave the final pass for Gareth Davies to canter over under the posts, with namesake Aled Davies adding the conversion.

Five minutes later, Tredegar's number eight Stuart Jarman picked up at the base of a five-metre scrum to barge his way over for Tredegar's only try of the match. This was converted by Kearney.

Minutes into first half injury time, Davies added a further penalty to leave the half-time score at 16 points to 10 in Whitland's favour.

The Borderers increased their lead in the seventh minute of the second half. Hooker Dafydd Lewis took a strike against the head, scrum-half Davies made a break well over the gain line, with Johnny Koloi, again in support, making further inroads into Tredegar's defence, before passing back inside to outside-half Aled Davies, who twisted and burst his way through tackles to crash over under the posts. He also added the conversion to his try.

Three minutes later he extended the lead with another well-taken penalty.

Whitland then started to make changes, bringing on Randall Williams and Phil Morgan for John Bowen and Stuart Tirie.

Again Aled Davies increased the lead in the 58th minute with a sweetly kicked drop goal, and this was followed by more changes, with Whitland bringing on Jason Evans to replace Dafydd Lewis at hooker, Andrew Jenkins replacing Gareth Davies at scrum-half and Eifion Roberts replacing Matthew Hughes at centre.

Whitland extended their lead in the 70th minute when the ball shot out of a Tredegar scrum and the ever-alert Jenkins pounced to feed Phil Morgan. He in turn passed to Aled Davies, before Lee Glanville made a nice break and handed on to Johnny Koloi who rounded off a well worked try. Again Davies added the two points.

Whitland were now rampant and bagged another touchdown with six minutes remaining on the clock. This time the forwards drove down the touchline and released the backs, who made deep inroads into Tredegar's half before recycling quick ball. With possession coming back across field, Aled Davies threw a long mispass for the captain, prop forward Dai Jones, to crash over. Davies failed to add the conversion from the touchline.

At this point, Andy Webster replaced Dai Jones in the front row.

With time fast running out, Whitland crossed for their final try of the afternoon. After a good lineout take by Molitika, the ball was spun out along the backs, where young centre Lee Glanville made a telling break. Phil Morgan was in support and, after driving to the line, unselfishly popped a pass to his fellow back row forward Randall Williams who grabbed the touchdown.

Again Aled Davies added the conversion to leave the final score 48 points to 10.

Team fielded; Gavin Morris, Jack Tremlett, Mathew Hughes (Eifion Roberts), Lee Glanville, Andrew Richards, Aled Davies, Gareth Davies (Andrew Jenkins), Romeo Colella, Dafydd Lewis ( Jason Evans), Dai Jones, capt. (Andy Webster), Ben Armstrong, Fakataha Molatika, Johnny Koloi, Stuart Tirie (Phil Morgan), John Bowen (Randall Williams). Sub not used - Carwyn Davies.

Tomorrow (Saturday), Whitland face a hard battle away to second division leaders Builth Wells in the fifth round of the Konika Minolta Welsh Cup. A supporters' bus will leave the club at 11.45 am.

WHITLAND YOUTH

Whitland Youth entertained Pembroke Dock Youth in a league fixture last Saturday, and, after a committed all-round performance, maintained their 100 per cent record with a convincing 42-0 victory.

In all, the young Borderers bagged eight tries, with first half touchdowns coming from number eight Matthew Owens, hooker Huw Devonald, second row row Rhodri Davies and flanker Rhidian Thomas, with outside-half Ali Bowen converting one.

The second half saw Whitland add further tries through fullback Shane Morgan (2), flanker Gareth Downes and a second for Rhidian Thomas.

Tomorrow (Saturday), Whitland Youth play Kidwelly Youth at home in a friendly fixture.