Borderers beaten by Tata's steel (From Western Telegraph)

Borderers beaten by Tata's steel

4:00pm Thursday 21st March 2013 in Sport

Whitland 10

Tata Steel 20

Whitland battled really hard against a strong Tata Steel side which moved into sixth place as a result of this success, but not before the Borderers had pushed them all the way.

Indeed, Whitland were ahead at one stage in the first period and were still level at 3-apiece at half time, but then the Steel Men used their experienced pack to set up the platform for two converted tries. And although Whitland managed a try of their own it was too little, too late, to swing the game back in Whitland’s favour.

Scott Newton opened the Borderers’ account after 19 minutes with a penalty from in front of the posts after good work by Callum Tree, Zac France-Miller, Dylan Richards, Kieran White and Dai Ebsworth – but Tata fought back with a penalty by full back Gareth Walters.

The Borderers had periods of pressure which they were unable to turn into points and were forced back on the defensive after the oranges so that Walters kicked his second penalty and converted a try by Tata hooker Gareth Coaker.

Veteran second rower Ebsworth’s efforts were rewarded as he grabbed a try for Whitland which Newton converted to narrow the gap to just three points but the Steel Men had the final word when Coaker was driven over for his second try, again converted, to give the visitors their 11th win from 17 starts.

●Before the game a minute’s silence was held in memory of Isla and Harper Rose, the baby daughters of Whitland player Fraser Watson and his girlfriend Keeley Rose. Both girls tragically passed away after being born prematurely last week and the hearts of sports lovers across the county will go out to Keeley and Fraser at this terribly sad time for them and their families.

Whitland: Jonathan Thomas: Will Davies; Daf Williams; Lee Glanville; Tomi Jones: Scott Newton; Andrew Jenkins (Capt): Rhodri West; Marc Jones; Nathan Price: Dai Ebsworth; Kieran White: Dylan Richards; Zac France-Miller; Callum Tree.

Replacements: Gareth Lloyd; Gethin Jones; Rhys Thompson; Daf Evans; Carwyn Phillips.