Hooker Devonald drive Borderers to big win (From Western Telegraph)

Hooker Devonald drive Borderers to big win

Cardigan 0 Whitland 29 Venue: The Athletic Ground, Neyland Referee: Mark James Assistants: Eirian Edwards and Craig Roke Man of the Match: Huw Devonald (Whitland)

An inspired performance by hooker Huw Devonald, ably abetted by the rest of a determined Whitland side, led them to a clear-cut victory in the Griffiths Cup over Cardigan's under 18s, who were left to ponder the fact that they had the lion's share of possession but were unable to turn it into points.

Much of the credit for a clean Borderers' scoresheet went to a defence organised by Devonald and involving some big tackles at key times, with the entire Whitland side covering as if their lives depended upon it.

This was particularly so in the first period where the only score came from Whitland as their back row of Matthew Owens, Ryan Michael and Rhydian Thomas secured ball for Adam Davies to bring his backs into action - and half back partner Ross Harries made a telling crossfield run and made the scoring pass for full back Owen Robinson to race over.

Centre Alistair Bowen added the conversion and also defended well alongside Gareth Davies, Chris Stone and Gibbon as Cardigan halves Ben Turner and Tom Belotti tried to exert their influence.

The young Borderers grabbed their second score after ten minutes of the second half from a blind-side snipe by Adam Davies, his clever grubber kick to the corner allowing winger Dafydd Gibbon to win the race for the touch-down.

They increased their advantage midway through the session as Harries again made a diagonal run which drew the Cardigan cover before he switched play to full back Robinson, who still had plenty of work but powered his way over the line for Bowen to add the extras.

Cardigan enjoyed a sustained period of pressure as they tried desperately to claw their way back into contention - but their efforts were nullified by some good work in the close exchanges by Dyfrig Picton, Andrew Leighton, Rhodri Davies, Mark Jones and especially Huw Devonald, who caught the eye with some tremendous hits on bigger opponents as he drove them back.

Whitland gradually broke the stranglehold and they sealed success with a snap drop goal from an acute angle by Ross Harries, followed by another try right at the death by No 8 Rhydian Thomas, who showed his footballing skills in a 70-metre dribble. He eventually touched down under the posts and Robinson converted.

Whitland skipper Adam Davies received the trophy from members of the Griffiths family, to the delight of coaches Lyn Davies and Marlais Thomas, plus their vociferous band of travelling supporters.

Cardigan: Geraint West: Rhydian Jenkins; Huw Davies; Bleddyn Phillips; Tal Bladen: Tom Belotti; Ben Turner: Gareth Evans; Mark Phillips; Dylan Davies: Jonathan Hicken; Kevin Price: Dean Lewis; Sam Trevor; Mark James.

Whitland: Owen Robinson: Dafydd Gibbon; Gareth Davies; Alistair Bowen; Chris Stone: Ross Harries; Adam Davies: Dyfrig Picton; Huw Devonald; Andrew Leighton: Rhodri Davies; Mark Jones: Matthew Owens; Ryan Michael; Rhydian Thomas. (Replacements: Mathew Morgan; Chris Davies.