Premier League:

Whitland 15-5 Skewen

IT was a case of saving 'the best till last' for Whitland Ladies as they rounded off their league season with a superb win over previously unbeaten Skewen.

The Borderettes went into the game still with an unlikely chance of claiming the Premiership title, but that scenario was always going to be unlikely as the home side required a huge amount of points against a team who had beaten them 15-0 in Neath back in October.

In inclement weather, the game began at a ferocious pace, and it was Whitland who took the lead 10 minutes in.

A period of pressure culminated in winger Heather Rees breaking free on the touchline, but although she was brought down by the cover defence, referee Eirian Edwards called play back to award the home side a penalty - and second row Becca Norris made no mistake from 25 metres out.

The heavy rain was always going to make for a physical contest, and The Borderettes exerted further pressure as No 8 Natalie Walsh stood out with her immense work rate and powerful running.

However, the visitors gradually began to find their feet, and it took some resilient defence from the home side to keep them out as Walsh's fellow back row players Angharad Williams and Lowri Morgan, and in particular centre Jennie Collins, put in some thunderous tackles.

But 28 minutes in Skewen did strike when Irish international scrum half Larissa Muldoon sniped over from clsoe range - although Ellie Norkett wasted the conversion as she miscued her drop kick.

Norris then struck the woodwork with a second penalty attempt from 30 metres out, but crucially, on the stroke of half time, the Borderettes struck.

A series of forwards drives brought them close to the Skewen line, and prop Sara Medeni Davies took a pop pass from scrum half Emma Summons and crashed over.

Norris was off target with the conversion, but Whitland went in 8-5 ahead at the break.

The contest was every bit as intense in the second half, but The Borderettes pack began to take control at the set piece as outside half Alice James looked to get her backs moving despite the difficult conditions.

There was an important period on the hour mark when the Neath sides pressed hard but were again repelled by the Whitland defence, and then with seven minutes left, the home side struck the decisive blow.

From a five metre scrum, the pack drove towards the line but just as No 8 Walsh seemed set to score, the visitors pack infringed, giving referee Edwards little choice but to award the try.

Replacement Rachel Norris converted - and The Borderettes closed out the final moments to register their most significant success since gaining promotion to the Premiership last season.

And their second placed finish - with their only defeat coming in Skewen - stands them in good stead for the cup competitions set to take place after Christmas.

Whitland: Cath Davies, Mari Griffiths, Sioned Harries, Jennie Collins, Heather Rees, Alice James (capt), Emma Summons, Aimee Jones, Delyth Davies, Sara Medeni Davies, Elin Hywel, Becca Norris, Lowri Morgan, Angharad Williams, Natalie Walsh.

Replacements: Danielle Jenkins, Ceris Moyle, Nia Davies, Rachel Norris, Cath Morley, Bex Andrews, Georgi Sturgess.