Division One West: Aberystwyth 12-13 Whitland

Whitland head coach Gareth Bennett admitted it ‘wasn’t a classic’ as his side dug deep to win in Aberystwyth.

In adverse conditions, The Borderers took a 13-12 lead into half time and then held out in a scoreless second half for a second straight away win.

An early Nico Setaro penalty put them ahead but Aber then crossed via full back Matthew Hughes, who finished well for a try that Steff Rees converted.

Whitland responded when a series of forward drives set the platform from which centre Alex Codd broke through in midfield, before off loading to winger Jonathan Thomas to score.

Setaro converted that and although Hughes went over again for a five pointer for Aber, the No 10 landed a penalty right on half time to give his side a slender lead.

The second half was a real dogfight and in the back row both Ryan Morgan and Jack Mason were outstanding with their carrying in the tough conditions, and to Bennett’s delight The Borderers held out.

“I’m chuffed to bits we came through in difficult circumstances like that,” he told Telegraph Sport.

“We had to battle and our bench made a difference today as well. The boys who came on really added something.”

Whitland: Geraint Jones, Gino Setaro, Alex Codd, James Stephenson, Jonathan Thomas, Nico Setaro, Adam Davies, Aaron Mayne, Iwan Lewis, Michael Ryan, Courtney Bowman, Raff Williams, Scott Buirds, Ryan Morgan, Jack Mason. Replacements: James Lewis, Tom Finucane, Josh Thomas, Ben Kirk, Jamie Thomas.