TONDU 21 pts.

WHITLAND 27

Joint league leaders Whitland maintained their unbeaten start to the season in Division One West with a 27-21 victory on the road at Tondu on Saturday.

With the home side having won their previous two matches, this was a potenial banana skin for the Borderers, but despite not producing the greatest of performances, they still managed to come away with the win and job done.

Whitland started the stronger and after a break by fullback Lee Glanville, quick ball out to winger Dafydd Williams saw him cross for his side's opening try, which outside-half Jonathan Thomas converted, within three minutes of the start.

Thomas extended the lead with a penalty some six minutes later, before the home side's fullback, Dean Thomas, responded with a penalty after 15 minutes.

Whitland hit back straight from the kick-off when a great chip by Thomas for the backs to run onto saw the bounce going their way and fullback Glanville gathered and raced over for his side's second try, but the conversion by Thomas was charged down.

Tondu did double their score with another Thomas penalty to give a half-time score of 15 points to six to Whitland.

After 10 minutes of the second half, Tondu cut Whitland's lead with a try by flanker Mathew John Davies, which went unconverted by Thomas, who had also missed an earlier penalty.

Whitland again increased their advantage to seven points with a second Thomas penalty after 12 mintues and he added another midway through the half to take the lead up to 21 points to 11.

Whitland were reduced to 14 men when second row David Ebsworth was yellow-carded after 25 minutes, but some six minutes later, Thomas increased the Borderers points tally with his fourth penalty of the afternoon.

Tondu scored their second try after some poor tackling let in skipper and number 10 Paul Smithson near the posts and, with Thomas converting, it cut the deficit to 24 points to 18 with some five minutes still left on the clock.

However, fly-half Jonathan Thomas again slotted a penalty for the Borderers, which settled their nerves and took his own personal points total to 17 and put the game safe.

The last play of the match saw a penalty resulting in a yellow card for Whitland prop Gareth Lloyd, with the home side kicking through Thomas to earn a losing bonus point and leave the final score 27-21 in Whitland's favour.

The match referee was Mr. Julian Smith, of Cwmbran.

Whitland fielded: Lee Glanville, Fraser Watson, Gary Evans, Mike Giorgiou, Dafydd Williams (Dion Thomas), Jonathan Thomas, Andrew Jenkins, Gareth Lloyd, Aled Harries (Marc Jones), Richard Smith, Raff Williams, capt., David Ebsworth, Dylan Richards, Tomi Jones, Celt Thomas. Subs not used - Andrew Davies, Andrew Hawkins and Huw Rees.

DUNVANT 14 pts

WHITLAND SECONDS 29

Whitland Seconds travelled to Dunvant and came away with a bonus point win by 29 points to 14, to keep them well up the table, having only lost one game this season.

Whitland's points in the first half came from fullback Will Davies and flanker Rhydian Davies, who both scored unconverted tries, and in the second half they both scored again, with winger Mathew Davies going over for a fifth try and outside-half Steve Aston converting two.

TENBY YOUTH 12 pts.

WHITLAND YOUTH 8

Whitland Youth lost to table-toppers Tenby Youth after a spirited performance which saw them push the Seasiders all the way, before going down by 12 points to 8.

All Whitland's points came from centre Liam Price, with a try and a penalty goal.