Whitland 9 Bedwas 23

Bedwas maintained their top spot in the section as they gained their expected victory over Whitland - but not before The Borderers had deservedly led by 9-6 at the end of a hard-fought first half - and pushed the opposition all the way after the break as they showed great commitment and refusal to surrender in the tough forward battle.

But it still meant a 12th defeat in 14 league outings for the home side and they also lost No 8 Randall Williams with an early back injury and hooker Richard Emms with a damaged shoulder in the first half - and Mike Buckingham was given his marching orders late on after reacting angrily to being shown the yellow card.

The first period again demonstrated how tough this division is because the Borderers faced old hands like prop Rob Bilton, skipper Matthew Lewis, Gerry Mattravers and Darren Hawthorne. Half backs Paul Williams and Wayne Bray were intent on using their pack and trying to release wingers Stefan Saintcala and Mark Bilenki, who have both showed their ability to score tries as Bedwas have climbed to the top of the table.

But again Whitland showed that they can play at this level and they opened the scoring after ten minutes when Daniel Griffiths slotted his first penalty when a Whitland forward drive was illegally pulled down. The Borderers lost No 8 Williams soon afterwards but had Rob Norton in rip-roaring form as his replacement.

Bedwas levelled matters in the 21st minute with a penalty from full back Paul Phillips just before home hooker Emms had to leave the field injured, his place taken by Andrew Harry. Two further Griffiths penalties saw Whitland into a deserved 9-3 lead, only for Phillips to claw three points back with a good penalty before he missed an easier chance right on half time.

There was no shortage of effort from the Whitland pack after the break but Bedwas struck first when Phillips kicked a penalty - and soon afterwards added the conversion to the games first try, which came when centre Andrew Harrison broke a tackle by Ricky Davies and raced through to the line.

Even worse was to follow soon afterwards as Bedwas were awarded a midfield penalty and fly half Williams booted them into the corner.

Rhodri Edwards won the lineout ball and after a forward drive featuring Tim Carless, Mike Wilson and Anthony Evans, up popped scrum half Bray to score a try which Phillips again converted to set the seal on another disappointment for the Borderers which was made even more acute with the late departure of Mike Buckingham.

Whitland: Daniel Griffiths: Matiake Mafi; Domenico Setaro; Sengili Tuihalamaka; Gavin Morris: Simon Rogers; Rob Phillips: Gareth Williams; Richard Emms: Dai Ebsworth; Ricky Davies: Mike Buckingham; Phil Morgan; Randall Williams. Replacements: Wayne Lewis: Rob Norton; Andrew Harry; Mark Hughes; Wayne Higgon; Andrew Jenkins; Matthew Hughes.