Welsh Cup semi final:

Whitland Ladies 12-14 Pontyclun Falcons

THE Borderettes missed out on a Welsh Cup final appearance in the cruellest of ways as they went down to a last minute try against the Pontyclun Falcons.

Leading 12-7 late on, the home side were left stunned as Pontyclun winger Rafiuke Taylor broke out of her own 22, and the Welsh international showed searing pace to outstrip the cover defence and score under the posts - before Jess Pritchard added the winning conversion.

With a strong wind behind them, it was Whitland who made the stronger start as flanker Natalie Walsh, centre Karen Mayze, and winger Heather Rees all went close.

But the Falcons defended fiercely and held firm until midway through the first half, when home prop Sara Davies crashed over.

The Borderettes had further chances but then the Falcons struck, as they ran a tap penalty from their own 22 and winger Jasmine Joyce made ground down the right before stepping inside home full back Cath Davies and sprinting to the posts. Pritchard converted.

But seconds later, the home side were back ahead as Jodie Evans’ deep restart forced a mistake from the Falcons - and from the resultant scrum five, No 8 Angharad Williams darted over. Evans converted.

The second half was tense and the visitors went close when Taylor narrowly failed to gather a chip forward from No 10 Dyddgu Howell.

The Borderettes almost sealed the win in the closing stages, but Evans pulled a difficult penalty wide before Mayze was bundled into touch just short of the line.

And yet they seemed set to hold out for victory, until the final minute when Taylor finished brilliantly to break the hearts of the Borderettes.

And scrum half Pritchard’s conversion snuck over to spark big celebrations amongst the Pontyclun players and supporters.

The Falcons will now meet Skewen in the final.

Whitland Ladies: Cath Davies, Mari Griffiths, Karen Mayze, Cath Morley, Heather Rees, Jodie Evans, Emma Summons, Ceris Moyle, Delyth Davies, Sara Davies, Elin Hywel, Becca Norris, Keeley Evans, Natalie Walsh, Angharad Williams. Replacements: Cath Jones, Aimee Jones, Ali Griffiths, Zoe Morris, Caryl Griffiths, Georgi Sturgess, Kayleigh Evans.