Whitland 24 - Narberth Development Squad 13

 
Whitland retained the Dairycrest Churn with a hard-fought win over the Narberth Development Squad at Parc Llwyn Ty Gwyn in front of one of the largest crowds seen there in the 25 years since the smashing trophy was last played for in 1997 and they won then.
 
It was agreed between the clubs that this should again become an annual Boxing Day fixture and after a hard-fought 80 minutes it was home skipper Benji Kirk who received the trophy from his father Paul, who has been heavily involved in the resurrection of the match.
 
The Borderers had a strong and experienced group of players whilst The Otters had a huge squad of 30 youngsters to gain experience from playing in front of such a large crowd – and showed their resilience as they had to play with 14 men for much of the match after referee Colin Saunders had little option but to show their second row Dan Owen a red card.
 
Narberth took the lead when Whitland knocked on in their own 22 and from the ensuing period of pressure centre Llew Jones raced in under the posts for full back Shane Rossiter to add the extra points.

 
But Whitland responded when in-form centre Liam Price raced over and full back Jonathan Thomas converted but lost influential No 10 Geraint Jones with a head injury.




 
Shane Rossiter put Narberth back in front with a penalty but after 35 minutes they were reduced to 14 men – and trailed 12-10 at the interval as second row Ben Taylor ploughed through for an unconverted try.
 
Rossiter was again on target to nudge Narberth a point ahead but although they had useful performances from No 10 Harri Harries, hooker Tom Clarke, centre Llew Jones and centre Will Davies the pressure was bound to tell and after 55 minutes No 8 Jack Mason scored a try as reward for his involvement alongside Ceiron Evans, James Lewis, Dan Bennett and Marc Jones - and Jonathan Thomas converted.
 
Both teams had half chances which came to nought but then second row Taylor popped up wide out and grabbed his second score to set the seal on a hard-fought victory.
 
There was an added plus from the game because a half-time collection saw the massive sum of £390 raised for charity, organised by Whitland and Narberth Rotary for the Whitland Food Bank.



 
Whitland:  Jonathan Thomas: Trystan Rees; Liam Price; Jack Richards; Owyn Griffiths: Geraint Jones; Ianto Davies: Ceiron Evans; Marc Jones; Tom Finnucane: Benji Kirk (Capt); Ben Taylor: Dan Bennett; James Lewis; Jack Mason.
Replacements: Andrew Jenkins; Ryan Michael, Lewys Gibby.
 
Narberth Development Squad:  Shane Rossiter: Ifan Rees; Ryan Scourfield; Llew Jones; Will Davies: Harri Harries; Jordan James: Declan Cole; Tom Clarke; Jac Norcross: Dan Owen; Henry Foster: Kyle Williams (Capt); Ioan Phillips; Tom Parsells.
Replacements: Ieuan Barnes; Jamie Goldsworthy; Richard Williams; Daf Watkins; Harry Phillips; Sam Davies; Owen Hughes; Morgan Rees; Dylan Walsh; Matty Lewis; Owen Llewellyn; Ian Crabb; Bez Warlow; Charlie Phillips; Steff Thomas.