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Carmarthen Tyre Services Cup Final:

Brilliant Borderers in amazing come-back

Whitland 33 - Llandovery 31

Whitland played Llandovery in the final of the Carmarthen Tyre Services Cup and won by 33 points to 31 in a terrific advert for this competition where they were losing 12-0 at the break, down 24-0 with 20 minutes to go and then came the come-back of all come backs.
The match ended with the Borderers scoring five tries to clinch the cup with their never say die attitude a credit to themselves and the management and Whitland RFC. It was a roller coast of a ride and a great game of rugby for the large crowd watching, but not so good for the nerves, though, for the large crowd from both camps who turned out to support.
Llandovery scored 2 tries in the first half by No 8 Dylan Thomas and Dylan Williams, with centre Ioan Davies converting one to lead 12 nil at the break.
They added further tries by centre Emrys Evans and Mathew Bailey, again Davies adding one conversion early in the second half to double their advantage.

Bowen bags Borderers’ first try

Replacement back rower John Bowen got Whitland's first try when he crashed over and outside half Scott Newton converted but Llandovery hit back straight away with Emrys Evans getting his second try and again Ioan Davies converting - and at 31 points to 7 the Drovers must have thought the game and cup was in the bag.
Whitland replacement fullback Nico Setaro, after great work by the forwards and good hands by the backs chipped over the top, raced through to gather and score Whitland's second try which Newton again converted before putting a cross kick in for Setaro to take and beat two defenders to score Whitland's third try again, and Newton adding the extra points to put the Borderers ten points adrift.

Grandstand finish as Setaro rounds off a superb hat-trick

A quick tap penalty by replacement scrum half Dafydd Evans, taken on by the forwards and then the backs released winger James Criddle to chip through and gather to score Whitland's fourth try which Newton converted to set up a grandstand finish.
With the referee indicating one minute left on his watch Whitland knew they had to win the restart and then keep the ball in play, which they did, the pack taking the ball up to Llandovery's 10 metre line, then out to the backs so that centre Dafydd Williams could straighten and the gap was created for man of the match Nico Setaro to speed down the line and score Whitland's fifth try - and although Scott Newton failed with the conversion it mattered none as the referee blew his whistle and Whitland had won!
It was a great come-back and a great game of rugby, played in great spirit, and a credit to both Whitland and Llandovery. Ken Owen, of the Scarlets, chose Nico Setaro as Man of the Match but the whole of the Whitland squad played really well and this match will be talked about by their supporters for a long time to come!

Whitland: Dafydd Williams, James Criddle, Andrew Hawkins (Nico Setaro), Anthony James (Steve Aston), Mitchell Rees, Scott Newton, Adam Davies (Dafydd Evans), Martin Nicholas (Capt) (Daniel Thomas), Shane Webster, Lee Williams (Chris Davies), Sam James (Barry Jones), Geraint Rees, Carl Smith (John Bowen), James Thomas (Celt Thomas), Mike Jones.

PHOTOS:
The Whitland squad prior to the match.

Delighted Whitland players and officials after their splendid success.