Swalec Cup Whitland bowed out of the Welsh Cup with a 24-13 defeat away at Premier Division club Llandovery.

The Borderers were ahead early following an Aled Davies penalty but a brace of tries from home winger Lee Rees helped the home side into a healthy 17-3 lead at half-time.

However, early in the second half Johnny Morgan rounded off a superb Whitland move for a converted try before Davies narrowed the gap to four points with a well struck penalty. Eventually, hopes of a cup upset for the away side were ended by former Neath fly half Cerith Rees, who sliced through to score before converting his own try.

Pembroke suffered a heartbreaking exit from round three of the Swalec Plate, losing 8-9 to a late drop goal against Amman United. The home side dominated the possession and territory but could only muster an 8-6 lead after a penalty from Phil Williams and close range try from scrum half Ryan Hayward. Despite missing chances, the Scarlets looked to have done enough but then away full back Gavin Lewis stepped up to drop a goal with the last kick of the game.

Crymych and Milford Haven both endured a frustrating weekend when their respective cup games fell victim to the weather. Crymych had been set to entertain Laugharne while Milford, who have now not played since October, were set to travel to Llangadog.

League THERE was a disappointment for Pembroke Dock Quins as they suffered a home defeat, going down 3-5 against Betws.

A tight and error-strewn first half was summed up when the Quins spilt the ball in attack and away full back Matthew Rees picked it up and sped to the line for an unconverted score. The home side did pull themselves back into it with a penalty from scrum half Dean Lawrence, but then endured a frustrating second half as Sam Irwin was just beaten to his own kick through and both flanker Mark Pearce and winger Carl Scott had tries disallowed. The defeat leaves the Quins firmly in the drop zone.

In division five, table topping Fishguard completed the double over Llangwm but were made to fight all the way before winning 13-18. The Wasps claimed not to have a recognised front row available and therefore scrums were uncontested for 80 minutes. The away side took the lead when flanker Mark George crashed over and fly half Huw Evans slotted two penalties, but opposite number Luke Brock then inspired a home fightback. The young fly half kicked a penalty before half-time then converted his own try in the second half before a further penalty levelled the scores. In the end, it was Seagulls second row Thomas Ilaisha who latched onto an Evans chip kick for the match winning score.

Neyland consolidated second spot with a 20-9 win at home to Aberaeron. Skipper Mathew Williams got the ball rolling with a first half try but penalties from Aled Sweeney and Gareth Flynn left the game poised at 7-6 with just 30 minutes to go. It was centre Adam Collins who then got the game’s vital score following good work by Martin Roberts and Andrew Slark, and fly half Mark Riley added the extras. The reliable Riley then kicked two further penalties and although Sweeney replied with another of his own, the All Blacks held on for a deserved win over their promotion rivals.

St Davids continued their recent good form as they proved too strong for New Dock Stars at Fishguard Road. Winger Craig Challonder rounded off some good handling early on, although the away side immediately responded through a score by scrum half Rhodri Owen. However, Andrew Lamb then notched his first score of the season following a chip and chase and after Dan Lewis again hit back for the Stars, Saints fly half Phil Lamb slotted two penalties for an 18-10 half-time lead. Andrew added a second soon after half time but the away side were awarded a penalty try to make the score 23-17 with just 20 minutes to go. It was Saints second row Chris Morgan who then rounded off a powerful display with a close range try and Lamb kicked a third penalty to seal a 31-17 win.

Rugby fixtures Saturday, January 23rd Division one west Narberth v Llangennech Builth Wells v Whitland Division three west Cardigan v Penclawdd Laugharne v Crymych Llandeilo v Haverfordwest Division four west Pembroke v Hendy Tenby v Trimsaran Division five west Neyland v Furnace Fishguard v Swansea Uplands Bynea v St Davids New Dock Stars v Llangwm