Whitland 15 Cross Keys 11

Whitland showed real grit to claim their second successive win in Division One after eight consecutive defeats, following up their tremendous success against Pontypool with this equally important victory over a big and experienced Cross Keys side which had by far the greater share of possession but were unable to break down the Borderers defence until the final stages, when a Keys score took them to within five points of victory and left home supporters with another nail-biting wait before the final whistle from referee Huw David.

The first half saw Whitland finish 5-3 ahead, quite amazing in view of the fact that Cross Keys had about 80% of the play but faced a rigorous home defence in which Romeo Collella, Dai Ebsworth, Fakataha Molitiko, Steve Gerrard and the rest of the pack was outstanding.

Skipper Phil Morgan was never afraid to put his body on the line alongside back row colleagues Randall Williams and Rob Norton, who again put in some big hits and acted as a useful link man in setting up ball for Rob Phillips to utilise.

Phil Morgan almost scored from a clean-lineout take by Molitika from the kick off but his final pass went astray and from then on it was tackle, tackle, tackle for the whole team as Keys fly half Gethin Worgan pinned them back with some positive kicking.

Locks Christian Penny and Matthew Beater ensured a steady stream of lineout ball for burly props Glen Stroud and Darren Crimmins to set up charges at the Borderers line, with scrum half Llyr Lane and captain Steve Gardener heavily involved alongside former Wales player Andrew Gibbs in maintaining such pressure that it only seemed a matter of time before the visitors scored tries - but great covering by centre Sengili Tuihalamaka and winger Matiake Mafi made sure that burly Keys winger Shaun Marshall and centre Rhodri Davies were held up short on several occasions before fly half Worgan kicked three points from his second attempt at goal.

Daniel Griffiths had the chance to level matters straight from the kick off after Morgan and Norton had made the ball available - but the fly halfs attempt from in front sailed wide of the far post.

Worgan was off-target with a drop goal attempt for Keys as they continued to dominate - but Whitland bounced back in the 38th minute with a try that came out of nothing and owed much to the determination of props Collella and Gareth Williams, who set up the chance for Norton to drive at the heart of the Keys defence.

Collella had a second dart to tie in the back row and scrum half Rob Phillips somehow managed to twist his way through two tacklers and reach the line, Griffiths missing the wide-angled conversion.

Keys lost Andrew Gibbs, replaced by Matthew Woods before Rob Norton and Tuihalamaka combined to earn a second minute penalty in front of the posts which Griffiths goaled while Worgan was off target at the other end with a drop goal before he slotted a second penalty. But Whitland scored a splendid try after 23 minutes of the half to really give themselves the edge.

There seemed little danger from a midfield set-piece but stand-in centre Mike Buckingham, pulled out of the back row because Domenico Setaro was unable to play because of injury, brushed aside the tackle of Worgan, cut through and when faced with full back Chad Bushell did well to chip over the top and win the race for the touchdown, picking up and twisting over the line in one movement, Griffiths adding the simple conversion from the shadow of the posts.

This reversal stung the Keys into even greater efforts as they brought on all their forward replacements just before outstanding skipper Steve Gardener burst through and play was swiftly transferred to right winger Gareth Davies, who ploughed over in the corner.

But try as they might the Gwent side were unable to prise open the Borderers defence for a second time and the final blast of Mr Davids whistle saw Whitland as victors, the three league points as reward for another gutsy display which confirmed the fact that they have now grown up in this tough section - and although they face stern tests ahead, none more so than this Saturday at Tondu, they have moved off the foot of the table.

There will be a supporters bus for Tondu and anyone wishing to travel should contact Iona at Gog Sports by Wednesday.