Glynneath Youth arrived at Whitland RFC for a Welsh Cup tie with a big squad, both in numbers and size of players noticeably the front row that would grace any first team in Pembrokeshire and the aptly named Jamie Power a six-foot eight second row forward.

The game started with Whitland playing into the wind. From the first kick-off, it was obvious that it would be an uncompromising game with the smaller Whitland players tearing into the visitors giving them no time to settle on the ball.

It took five minutes before the visitors even got into the Whitland half and immediately winning the first penalty of the game, but outside half Jed Orielly failed with the relatively easy kick.

The first score of the day fell to Whitland. After an excellent tackle from centre Ryan Davies, Whitland won a penalty for not releasing. Stefan James was successful with his first attempt.

Twenty minutes into the game, Whitland had a second opportunity with a penalty from just inside the opposition half. This time, James was just short with his effort.

With good defence from both sides, neither was able to put any prolonged attacking phases together. Eventually, Glyn Neath did manage to break out and take play deep into to the Whitland half.

Homeside flanker George Griffin, playing his first game this season, made a superb covering tackle, but was harshly penalised for not rolling away. Orielly stepped up to give the visitors their first point of the day from 25 metres out.

With penalties being the only real chance of scoring, both sides were given another opportunity each, James for Whitland being on target, but Orielly for Glynneath failed with his attempt. With play mainly taking place between the two 22 metre lines, it fell to Glynneath to break the deadlock. A penalty gave an opportunity to attack from within the homeside's 22. After a series of strong carries by their forwards, their hooker was brought down just short of the line. From the ruck, visiting scrum half William Thomas out-witted the defence by going back against the run of play and diving over between the posts. Orielly added the conversion to put the visitors ahead at 10 -6.

Just on half-time, Whitland could have gone back into the lead with a scrum on the visitors' five metre line. The scrum was driven backwards. With No 8 Jamie Harries picking up at base and beating two defenders, he was less than a metre from the line when the homeside's centre Geriant Jones was penalised for blocking the opposition tackler which was the last play of the first half.

At the start of the second half, Glynneath tried to up the tempo, but again the young Whitland team stood firm and it was another exchange of penalties that kept the score board ticking over 13-9.

From then on it was the home team that increased the pressure with a number of good attacking runs, but they were simply not accurate enough with the last pass going to ground or the ball being turned over in the tackle. The big Glynneath front row were visibly tiring and on several occasions the play was held up while one or other of them required on field treatment.

The visitors second try of the day came after they were awarded a penalty on the half-way line which they again kicked deep into the 22 and claimed a lineout throw. Winning the throw, they tried a set move in midfield, but with the home defence coming up fast, the ball was dropped and a scrum awarded to Whitland. Taking the ball against the head, Glynneath attacked to their right and with the home defence out of position it allowed centre Kieron Williams to score his side's second and crucial try.

For the final 10 minutes, it was all Whitland, although credit must go to Glynneath's bigger more aggressive defence that they stopped Whitland getting into their running game which has been so effective this season. A further two successful penalties to the homeside and the score at 15-20 made for a tense last three minutes, with referee Robert Clement (Opreys Region), who controlled the game well all afternoon, not adding any injury time. He blew for the end of the game exactly on the 35 minute mark much to the relief of the visiting coaches and supporters.

During the half-time break, the Whitland youth players not involved in the match day squad organised a bucket collection, the proceeds of which will be added to by the club and a cheque sent to the Dylan Rees Appeal. Dylan is a former Cardigan player who remains in the University Hospital, Cardiff, after a serious injury whilst playing rugby last season.

Tomorrow (Saturday) promises another big game for the youth side when last season's league champions Crymych are the visitors to Whitland for a 2.30 pm kick-off.