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Despite it being a curtain raiser the Warriors still had the cheek to produce a match programme.
The teams line up before kick off
Gary James races in for the ball from this Warriors line.
Richard Griffiths, Ed McVicar, Ray Millet and Darel Watkins clap the Gladiators off the field under supervision of Mike Spriggs
The Gladiators wait for the Warriors to come through
Gwilym Lewis shows the effects of being on the same field as Victor Rekar of the Gladiators.
The match was played before the Llanelli leg of the Turks v Jacks series which served as testimonials for Nigel Davies and Stuart Davies.
The scoreline flatters the Warriors as through the game it was only their converting of tries that kept them ahead until they scored a final try in the dying seconds and secured victory. Thanks to Ian Boobyer and the youngster who reffed the game. It was the Warriors 7th match of the season - equalling the previous seasons record total. Dai Spriggs scored in his 6th consecutive game.
The scoreline flatters the Warriors as through the game it was only their converting of tries that kept them ahead until they scored a final try in the dying seconds and secured victory. Thanks to Ian Boobyer and the youngster who reffed the game. It was the Warriors 7th match of the season - equalling the previous seasons record total. Dai Spriggs scored in his 6th consecutive game.
Match report
Although the 'Jacks' beat the 'Turks' in Nigel Davies' Testimonial match, the Llanelli Warriors preserved town pride when they recorded a convincing win over the Swansea Gladiators in the curtain raiser.
The world's only Chaleenge rugby teams (who include players with learning difficulties) fought out an entertaining enciunter in front of a good crowd at Stradey. Plenty of mistakes were made in a game played at a frantic pace but it only added to the entertainment the two sides served up.
Early josseling saw both sides pressing and play moved from end to end. The Gladiators established superiority at the lineouts whilsts the Warriors backs looked more cohesive, leading to an even 1st half. The Gladiators drew 1st blood through a nice try from Peter Russell, converted by David Lear who inexplicably wasn't given another opportunity.
Struggling at line outs the Warriors were forced to run everything and the policy paid dividens when flowing moves saw 1st fly half Richard Griffiths and then Dean Gilasbey run in long range efforts, both converted by David Spriggs.
The Gladiators contiuned to dominate possession though and went close from a line out. It was out wide that they finally breached the defence, wing Stu Jones scoring in the corner. The missed conversion let the Warriors turn around two points up.
The 2nd half saw the Gladiators now dominate the line outs to such an exstent that the Warriors hardly won a single ball. However they defended so aggressivley, John Horwood and Edward McVicar to the fore, that they forced a stream of mistakes and turn overs. It was no suprise when Lee Dianne broke free to put the Llanelli side further ahead.
The Gladiators eventually managed to find a way through when quick lineout ball gave Paul Rowley the space to go over near the posts. the conversion was missed and the Swansea side still needed a try to win going into the final quater of the match.
The Warriors stepped up a gear, moving the ball around the park. Robert Bevan, David Newson and ray Millet all showed up well in a number of sweeping phases. defensivley they contiuned to hassle and hussle the Swansea side to such an extent that even their line out ball was hurried. The continual pressure eventually earned the Warriors a line out right on the Gladiators line. The Gladiators won the ball against the throw but rushed the pass. Flanker Gwilym Lewis was on hand to seal the Gladiators fate, falling on the loose ball to score. Dai Spriggs maintained his 100% record when he slotted the conversion with the last kick of the game.
It meant the Warriors re gained the Challenge Shield and preserved their unbeaten start to 1999.
Warriors XV: David Spriggs, Robert Bevan, Dean Gilasbey, Lee Dianne, Colin Talcon, Richard Griffiths, Gary James, Chris Bonar, Edward Williams, Edward McVicar, John Horwood, Stephen Walley, Raymond Millet, David Newson (Cpt), Gwilym Lewis
Subs: Daryl Watkins, Lee Rowlands, Lee Barber, Mathew Phillips, Mike Esney (all played)
Swansea Gladiators XV: Chris Howard, David Lear, Paul Rowley, Nigel Noge, Stuart Jones, Robert Jones, Andrew Webb, Timothy Hughes, Gavin Nicholas, James West, Ceri Jones, Peter Russell, Adrian Williams, Victor Rekar, Gary Coombe (Cpt)
I don't think the review got as far as a paper.
Craig Thomas spent a stressed day as manager whilst Lewis had a form day on the touch line calling a touch that wasn't, a foul he shouldn't and getting booked by a policeman he kicked the ball into. He was also the only person who thought the final kick went over. As ever for a curtain raiser with free entry to the ground afterwards there was a good turnout; Ed Williams returned to the hooking berth from holidays luckily as Jason Jenkins was "too tired" Lee Barber and Mathew Phillips made debuts but Daryl Watkins and Mike Esney had little effect on the game, coming on after Gwilym's try and only got to watch Dai Spriggs score a conversion.
Skill ofthe day was a tie between Dai Spriggs crouching to avoid a tackle and Lee Rowlands heading the ball (possibly inspired by his recent goal for Carway)
The actual testimonial was a bit of a farce with an almost full strength Swansea team hammering an all star Llanelli team. the game did feature the likes of Phil Bennet, Aled Williams, Robert Howley and possibly Neil Jenkins and Phil May. The Jacks won 80 - 45 but hopefully the many people who watched our curtain raiser will have enjoyed it. Once person who definatley enjoyed was Pauline who used her official status as Warriors photographer to good effect, getting some lovley pics of Quinell, Stuart Davies, Nigel, Phil Bennett, Martin Madden etc (But hardly any of the Warriors). She didn't even help Maralie, Lisa and Andrea do the sarnies!
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