Pembrokeshire KO Cup quarter final:

Whitland 25-10 Fishguard

WHITLAND ran in five tries to make it into the final four of the Pembrokeshire KO Cup – but not before they had to withstand a spirited fight back from Fishguard.

With a two division gap between the sides in the league, The Borderers began the game as clear favourites and took an early lead when left winger Shaun Coles gathered his own chip kick to cross in the corner.

And moments later the Zimbabwean scored his second try, as the home backline made use of an overlap and centre Scott Newton put Coles over.

But The Seagulls then mounted some offence of their own, and a chip and chase from outside half James Griffiths sparked a period of pressure which saw the visitors camped on the Whitland side for several minutes.

But then The Borderers struck a cruel blow, as half backs Dafydd Evans and Thomas chose to run the ball from behind their own posts – and the attack culminated with scrum half Evans racing down the right wing, and although he was caught by the cover defence, he managed to offload to full back James Stephenson to score.

For the third successive time, Thomas was off target with the conversion as Whitland led 15-0 at half time.

They extended the lead after the break when Newton rounded off some good handling for another unconverted score, and flanker Rhydian Davies seemingly ended the tie when he drove over from close range to make it 25-0.

But The Seagulls then got themselves on the score board when replacement prop Andrew Morillo crashed over after a well worked driving line out.

And with 20 minutes left they further narrowed the deficit, as captain and No 8 Simon James broke clear on half way and despite being hauled down by Coles, the visitors kept the ball alive and full back Ed Bendall finished well in the corner.

Like his first effort, Griffiths was just wide with the wide angled conversion.

But Fishguard kept the pressure on in the closing stages, and twice flanker Chris Shousha  broke from deep but each time lacked support at the vital moment .

The Borderers were also forced to repel a series of line out drives, but they saw out the final minutes to book their place in the semi finals.