Byron bashes Borderers as Pooler show their class (From Western Telegraph)

Byron bashes Borderers as Pooler show their class

Pontypool 50 Whitland 14

Whitland made the long journey to Pontypool and found Byron Hayward in top form, the former Welsh international utilising good possession gained by Mark Jones' pack to run a first-half show where 'Pooler' scored 50 points against a Borderers outfit which battled hard but was always on the back foot.

It says a great deal for the Whitland spirit that they refused to capitulate under so much pressure and they can at least say that they won the second half since they scored the only try and fought really hard to make sure that their line was kept intact, with replacement prop Romeo Collella grabbing the 70th minute try in typical fashion as he utilised good possession gained by Fakataha Molatika to burrow his way over the line for Daniel Griffiths to add the extra points.

It was some consolation for The Borderers but they were under the cosh in that first half as their pack conceded two penalties early on and Hayward gathered another six points to his already huge tally with the club.

Lenny Woodyatt claimed Pooler's first try after 12 minutes when he rounded off a slick handling move and Hayward added the extra points before slotting another two penalties as the result of continued pressure on the Whitland line.

Already 24 points adrift, Whitland managed a try of their own when back row man Anthony Jakeman crashed over after a good forward drive for Daniel Griffiths to add the extras.

But Whitland hopes of a recovery were shattered as they conceded another seven points to Hayward soon afterwards and a further three scores in the five minutes before the break as Mark Jones again powered over, centre Jonathan Hawker scored the try of the match and Woodyatt also claimed his second score to run up the half century mark.

The Borderers certainly benefited from Mark Jones' withdrawal at half time and Hayward's departure ten minutes later - but they deserve credit for their second-half display and will be looking to start winning ways when they entertain Glamorgan Wanderers at Parc Llwyn Ty Gwyn this Saturday.

Whitland also have another important date in their clubhouse on Sunday, September 15th, when the Welsh RU Lottery draw will be made by Robert Jones. It starts at 7.15pm and everyone is invited to attend what should be a good night.

Whitland: Steve Griffiths: Steve Hartland; Rob Walters (Lee Banfield); Daniel Rogers; Gavin Morris: Daniel Griffiths; Aled Thomas (Andrew Lewis): Chris Flattery (Romeo Collella); Steve Gerrard (Jason Evans); Rickie Davies: Dai Ebsworth (Tristan Mabbett); Fakataha Molatika: Phil Morgan; Randall Williams (Gareth Williams); Anthony Jakeman.