Wizards too strong for Whitland (From Western Telegraph)

Wizards too strong for Whitland

Whitland 9 Aberavon 27

Whitland bowed out of the Principality Cup against fellow Division One side Aberavon, who enjoyed a 13 point interval lead and scored the only try of a tight second half of a match played at Parc Dr Owen because the Borderers main patch at Parc Llwyn Ty Gwyn was very wet.

It is considered to be their lucky pitch in epic cup battles against the likes of Pontypridd in the past, but on this occasion it was the Wizards who held the edge up front and scored four tries while Whitland were confined to three penalties from outside half Daniel Griffiths.

Aberavon took the lead as early as the second minute with a try by centre Barry Maddocks but some good forward play by Dai Ebsworth, Anthony Jakeman, Phil Morgan and Randall Williams earned the Borderers penalties in the sixth and 13th minutes which nudged the home side ahead by a single point.

Aberavon recaptured the initiative midway through the period when good handling by their pack set up the platform for scrum half Mark Davies to snipe over for a try which was converted by half back partner Jamie Davies, who also landed a penalty after 27 minutes.

Daniel Griffiths missed a kickable chance for Whitland before the Wizards added a good try by winger Daran Griffiths after good work by skipper Steve Rees and back row men Gareth Newman and Nataio Tiatia had allowed Matthew Back to release his winger, Jamie Davies again adding the extra points.

Daniel Griffiths landed his third penalty for the Borderers just on half time but, try as they might, they were unable to prise open the visitors defence after the interval and Aberavon made sure of a match against one of the big guns as they claimed their fourth try with six minutes remaining when winger Daran Griffiths darted over for a try.

Jamie Davies missed the conversion and Aberavon were through - although the defeat could be a blessing in disguise for the Borderers because it will allow them to focus on their quest to avoid the dreaded drop which is far more important in the long run than a little bit of cup glory.

Whitland: Wayne Lewis: Gavin Morris; Domenico Setaro; Sengili Tuihalamaka; Steve Hartland: Daniel Griffiths; Rob Phillips: Wayne Higgon; Gareth Richards; Dai Jones: Dai Ebsworth; Anthony Jakeman: Mike Buckingham; Phil Morgan; Randall Williams. Replacements: Ricky Davies; Dafydd Lewis; Chris Williams; Gareth Williams; Steve Butchers; Andrew Jenkins; Simon Rogers.