Blackwood 29 Whitland 17

Whitland showed the battling spirit which has marked their play of late as they took on a Blackwood side renowned for its forward power - but were never able to gain the upper hand after conceding an early 11 points before they really settled and lost again as a result.

Blackwood took a third-minute lead when fly half Martin Jones slotted a penalty and he added another after nine minutes, with a drop goal miss sandwiched neatly in between.

Daniel Griffiths, switched to full back so that Sengili Tuihalamaka could have a run out at pivot, missed a scoring chance for The Borderers and a midfield error allowed home centre Jaggier Too to cross for a try which Jones was unable to convert.

But Whitland slowly settled as Steve Gerrard, Steve Thomas and Dai Ebsworth began to win some possession which was utilised by skipper Phil Morgan, Rob Norton and Randall Williams - and the visitors finally scored after 30 minutes when Thomas and Randall Williams put Andrew Jenkins in a little space for the scrum half to cross for an unconverted try.

But another missed tackle allowed Blackwood No 8 Jamie Simms to score a try which Jones converted - although the Borderers showed real grit as they grabbed their second try on half time as Daniel Griffiths prised open the Blackwood defence for Sunny Tuihalamaka to score, Griffiths adding the extra points to make the interval score 18-12 to the homesters at the interval.

Blackwood had powerful forwards in lock Matthew Tucker and Simms - and their drives earned two more penalties for Jones to notch before Whitland picked up their third try as winger Matiake Mafi crossed in the corner.

They brought on Rob Phillips to try and make a late impact but Blackwood had the final word as winger Gavin Rees scored a try which Jones goaled, leaving The Borderers still seeking their first success away from home - and still at the foot of the table despite their genuine efforts in this tussle! Whitland: Daniel Griffiths: Matiake Mafe; Domenico Setaro; Lee Banfield; Eifion Lewis: Sengili Tuihalamaka; Andrew Jenkins: Gareth Williams; Steve Gerrard; Andy Webster: Steve Thomas; Dai Ebsworth: Rob Norton; Phil Morgan; Randall Williams. Replacements: Mark Hughes; Richard Emms; Ian Haycocks; Chris Williams; Rob Phillips; Simon Rogers; Wayne Lewis.