Carmarthen

AthLETIC 18 pts. Whitland 8

Whitland finished their season with an away defeat at the hands of near neighbours Carmarthen Athletic by 18 points to 8 on Saturday, which meant they lost their last five matches to finish a disappointing fifth in Swalec League Division One West.

When Whitland put pace on the ball, they looked dangerous and, although trailing, looked as though they would pinch the victory, but it was not meant to be.

Whitland took the lead when outside-half Scott Newton kicked an early penalty after five minutes.

Flanker Rhys Jones was yellow-carded after nine minutes for hands in the ruck, but Whitland's defence held firm until one minute before his return when Carmarthen made the extra man count and centre Viv Jenkins scored an unconverted try.

Carmarthen extended their lead when fullback Mike Sauro kicked a penalty after 30 minutes, which was the last score of the half as the Athletic went in eight points to three up at the break.

Carmarthen scored again early in the second half when right wing Like Marshall crossed for an unconverted try to extend their lead to 13 points to three.

When second row Steve Morse was shown the yellow card, the Borderers took advantage and, after good work by the pack, the backs cut loose for fullback Nico Setaro to score an unconverted try to cut the deficit to five points at 13-8.

Sauro missed a penalty for the home side 15 minutes into the half, but it was Whitland who looked the more likely to score as the match moved into the last quarter.

With some six minutes left, however, Whitland failed to clear their lines and left wing Owain Herbert pinched the ball and scored Carmarthen's third unconverted try to seal the victory for the home side by 18 points to eight.

Match referee: Grey Morgan, Swansea.

Whitland fielded: Nico Setaro, Will Davies, James Stephenson, Carwyn Jones (Carwyn Phillips), Dafydd Williams, Scott Newton, Aled Rees (Adam Davies), Rhodri West, Marc Jones, Gareth Lloyd, capt, Dai Ebsworth (Calum Tree), Carwyn Jones, Rhys Jones, Andrew Hawkins (Aled Harries), Llyr Griffiths. Sub not used - Nathan Price

Bonymaen 2nd XV 15 pts. Whitland 2nd XV 28

Whitland 2nd XV will defend the Carmarthen Tyre Services Cup which they won last year after defeating Bonymaen away in the semi-final by 28 points to 15.

In the final they will play Llandovery tonight (Friday) at Carmarthen Park, with a 7.30 pm kick-off.

At the break, Whitland led by 20 points to 15, scoring three tries through winger Tomi Jones, hooker Marc Jones and number eight Will James, with fullback Jonathan Thomas converting one and also adding a penalty.

In the second half, which Whitland dominated, they added a further eight points through another Marc Jones try and a Jonathan Thomas penalty, to run out winners by 28 points to 15.

Whitland 2nd XV 49 pts. Pembroke 2nd XV 14

Whitland 2nd XV retained the Pembrokeshire Junior Union Cup last Friday night at Haverfordwest RFC, beating Pembroke 2nd XV by 49 points to 14.

All credit to Pembroke, they fought hard, but the young Borderers just proved too strong in the end and totally dominated the second half, running in five tries to add to the two in the first.

Centre Liam Price, who had an excellent all-round game, kicked an early penalty and added an unconverted try to give Whitland an eight-point lead.

Pembroke scored their opening try through flanker Jamie Goodman on the half-hour and fullback Bryn Williams converted.

Whitland's second try came from winger Mitchell Rees some two minutes from the break, but there was still time for Pembroke's Jamie Goodman to gather a loose ball and score his own side's second try, again converted by Williams, to give the Scarlets a surprise lead at the interval by 14 points to 13.

There was no stopping Whitland in the second half, however. They scored 36 unanswered points, bagging five tries through replacement prop Nathan Price, outsidehalf Shane Morgan, centre Liam Price, winger Mitchell Rees and replacement hooker Gethin Beynon, with Shane Morgan adding one conversion and Liam Price kicking three and a penalty to take his tally for the evening to 22 points.

Match referee: Lorenzo Giacci, Fishguard

Whitland fielded: Mathew Howells, Mitchell Rees, Ali Bowen, Liam Price, Mike Williams (Mark Beasley), Shane Morgan, Adam Davies, capt, Dafydd Walters (Mathew MacMillian), Shane Webster (Gethin Beynon), Barry Jones (Nathan Price) (Lee Williams), Sam James (Ben Kirk), Carl Smith (Aled Gibbon), Dan Mason (Tom Kirk), Rhydian Davies( Karl Williams), Will James.

Subs not used - Aled Morgan, Anthony James and Dan McDermott.