Junior Union final - WHITLAND 2nds retained the Junior Union Cup in an exciting tussle as they fended off a tremendous challenge from Pembroke.

The Borderers ran in 36 unanswered points in the second period, most of them in the final 15 minutes.

They inevitably started as firm favourites but someone forgot to tell the Scarlets’ players as they led 14-13 at the break, and were only 21-14 adrift after 65 minutes.

But they then elected to go for the corner instead of taking three points from a penalty - but the move back-fired as Whitland broke clear and Price allowed Shane Morgan to race clear before Price landed the extra points. It was a body blow for the Scarlets and a pivotal moment.

The game was played at a furious pace from the outset and there were big tackles by Huw Purser and Jack Goodman on their Whitland opponents, before the Borderers took the lead with a penalty by Liam Price, who soon added an unconverted try after good work by skipper Adam Davies and Mike Williams.

But the Scarlets fought back from the kick-off as Jamie Goodman sped over at the posts for Bryn Williams to slot the extras.

The Borderers scored their second try after Davies and Matthew Howells had been involved and winger Mitchell Rees scored wide out – only for the Scarlets to score in the final moments of the half when Jamie Goodman stormed over and Williams converted.

With the breeze at their backs, Whitland regained the lead when Price scored his second unconverted try and he also added a penalty before the Scarlets enjoyed a period of pressure but failed to turn it into points.

They paid a heavy price because Price put Morgan over and converted, as he did when he grabbed his third try to earn the man of the match award.

Morgan also missed the chance of another score as he intercepted a midfield pass but lost the ball on the line, before Whitland added the final score when replacement prop Gethin Beynon raced in at the corner and Price converted to take his tally to 29 points.

Whitland skipper Adam Davies received the Junior Union Cup from Eirian Edwards, but Pembroke can look back on a game where they gave 100% and contributed to an excellent cup final.

Pembroke: Bryn Williams, Jack Goodman, Mark Roach, Huw Purser, Luke Devery, John Williams, James Skeels, Owain Johns (capt), Shaun Beynon, Chris Phillips, Will Edwards, Scott Powell, Jamie Goodman, Josh Taylor, Rob Jones. Replacements: Seamus Wiseman, John Gwilliam, Sean Powell, Rees Johns, Tom Owen, Peter Roch, Mal Mathias.

Whitland: Matthew Howells, Mitchell Rees, Ally Bowen; Liam Price; Mike Williams, Shane Morgan, Adam Davies (capt), Barry Jones, Shane Webster, Daf Walters, Sam James, Carl Smith, Dan Mason, Rhydian Davies, Will James. Replacements: Gethin Beynon, Benjamin Kirk; Mark Beasley, Karl Williams, Nathan Price, Matthew MacMillan.

Referee: Lorenzo Giacci.

Assistants: Huw Jones and Dan Devine.