Whitland 19 Pontypool 13

After eight long matches without a win in this tough section Whitland finally broke their duck with a victory over Pontypool which will rank as one of the best Borderers' performances of recent years since they had to show true grit against a belligerent Pooler pack and played for 14 men after skipper Phil Morgan was sent off in the 49th minute.

Even worse was to follow after Whitland built a 19-6 lead because their complement was further shrunk to 13 players for the tense last ten minutes as prop Romeo Colella was yellow-carded and the Borderers had to lose winger Craig Richards so that Ricky Davies could join the fray as a forward.

In that frenetic time Pontypool finally scored a try and went extremely close to grabbing a second that might have sneaked a seventh win in their nine league outings but anything other than a Borderers' success would have been a travesty because they played with such spirit and raw guts despite several refereeing decisions going against them and their pack being under pressure in the set pieces.

Leading the way for Whitland was second row Fakataha Molitiko and flanker Rob Norton, who had their best games in the green and white shirts, with Dai Ebsworth, Steve Gerrard and Randall Williams close behind.

Prop Romeo Collella looked tiny alongside Pooler giants Mark Jones, Mike Powell, Gareth Gunter and Uinita Moa but tackled all night, as did Gareth Williams and Phil Morgan before he was shown a second yellow card for blocking quick ball - although few of the visitors received the same sharp treatment for the same offence.

Rob Phillips had a fine match at scrum half with some shrewd darts and terrific tackles, his performance seeming to lift the play of those around him.

Indeed, the Borderers made a good start as a speculative kick by fly half Daniel Griffiths was chased by Craig Richards, who cleverly flicked the bouncing ball inside to full back Wayne Lewis, who sent Domenico Setaro on a run to the line, the centre illegally halted just short and Griffiths was awarded the three points despite both touch judges keeping their flags down at the penalty attempt.

Griffiths added another penalty after nine minutes but Pontypool replied with a penalty from fly half Richard Jenkins after 13 minutes - although he missed another easy chance two minutes later from a little further out.

With Pontypool traditionally strong up front, they applied pressure from several lineout takes and drives that saw Mark Jones, Mike Lloyd and scrum half Rhodri Jones go close but the Borderers covered well and Randall Williams went close when he charged down a Jenkins kick but was just beaten to the ball by Pooler winger Nathan Daniel.

But from the resulting scrum a Norton charge gave Daniel Griffiths a third penalty chance which he calmly slotted.

There was a set back for the homesters when Phil Morgan was yellow-carded without any warning and Pontypool reduced the deficit with a second Jenkins successful penalty, awarded for offside - but they kept plugging away and Pontypool lost lock Mike Powell after Rob Norton was left spread-eagled on the ground after a ruck.

It gave Whitland the edge and with just a minute of the half to go they grabbed the vital first try when Rob Griffiths took a quick tap from a midfield penalty that was within Griffiths' kicking range, found Wayne Lewis, the ubiquitous Colella and Rob Norton in support before popping up to receive the final pass and dive over in the right-hand corner.

It was a fine try for Phillips as reward for his taking the chance and partner Griffiths added the superb conversion as a real bonus.

Pontypool brought on Welsh international Byron Hayward at fly half and Ian Jones as hooker at the break but it was Whitland who had the clearer chance as Steve Hartland marked a splendid return to action with a typical initial thrust out of defence that allowed Setaro to set Craig Richards away down the stand touch-line, only for a last-ditch cover tackle by full back Joel Griffin to deny him.

It was at this point that Phil Morgan was shown the yellow card and Pontypool introduced the powerful Manu Tuipoloto at flanker for Arthur Howarth in an attempt for even more power up front.

But the home defence was quite superb as Hartland twice ran out of defence as only he can and Steve Gerrard gained a vital strike against the head in a scrum.

Pontypool had No 8 Andrew Lloyd yellow carded after 22 minutes and, allied to some inept finishing by the visitors, Whitland held on until the 30th minute of the half, when they broke out and were awarded a 28 metre penalty which Griffiths slotted with aplomb.

In a desperate attempt at snatching something out of the game, Pontypool brought on Ben Jeffries at centre, Kuli Faletau up front and David Manley on the wing but they still took wrong options as they enjoyed most of the possession in the Whitland 22.

Then Romeo Colella was sin-binned in the 37th minute of the period, Byron Hayward set up a chance for full back Griffin to score a try which Hayward converted - and the scene was set for a rearguard action by the Whitland 13. Pontypool had several half chances but there always seemed to be a Borderers' body in the way.

Jonathan Hawker had the best chance for Pontypool but the centre tried to veer towards the posts in the knowledge that a converted try was needed - and he was flattened by some excellent cover tackles before the final whistle saw Whitland earn a win that was so important for them - and shows just what they can achieve if they stick together.

Their hardy band of supporters were also delighted, none more so than popular press officer Richard Merriman, who had been released from hospital the previous day and really enjoyed watching his team do well!

The Whitland match sponsor was the Rose and Crown of Carmarthen, with the match balls sponsored by Shashi and Charu Patel of Whitland News; Castell Howell Frozen Foods of Carmarthen; R and L Scaffolding of Laugharne; Keith Thomas of Narberth; Jeff Court of Station Garage, Whitland; Dawood Parker of Whitland Research.