Pre match hype
from Guardian
and Star
Review from Guardian
Review from Star
This picture appeared alongside the Kwik Save Crosshands review but was taken during the Betws matchAction from match 100
.jpg)
Dobbin watches the scrum set up.0.jpg)
Warriors backs in action (TOO FLAT!).jpg)
Cerith Rees about to sweep the ball out for Betws.jpg)
Warriors in red, Betws in the other colour.0.jpg)
Tim 100 .jpg)
Wendy kidney bens presents Cloin with cheque on behalf of Betws Ladies committee .jpg)
Early beers (and food) in..jpg)
The people you see lined up against a wall when you haven't got a gun.jpg)
Ed not impressed with Louie's jokes.jpg)
Standing room only.jpg)
Captain Colin: Sponsored by Rightguard.jpg)
Richie Griff & Col: Why wasn't I man of the match!.jpg)
Louie amazed someone else might want his gnome hat!.jpg)
Join in Ed mun!.jpg)
Big Al & Tarw share a pint.jpg)
Welsh score?.jpg)
Jason demostrating technique.jpg)
Gwilym and Chris Bonar .jpg)
Dai Newson looking for chair large enough.jpg)
Roger Murphy on the pull .jpg)
Bonar on the pull while Bullet (next left) can only look impressed .jpg)
Rich Bach smiling shock (Wales must have won then!).jpg)
Ed happy (at last) with Welsh win.jpg)
...and we were singing...
Home time for the Warriors bus.0.jpg)
Richie Griff lubricates vocal chords
Match programme featuring action from the previous seasonThe newspaper headline says commanding win but in truth it was probaly a bit fortunate. However the Warriors managed to mark their 100th match with a fine win. It was witnessed by BBC cameras for a news item and was also featured on their web site (here)
After the Warriors match Wales and france produced a classic match which was celebrated long into the evening.
Press Preview
Warriors reach ton landmark.
The landmarks just keep on falling for the Llanelli Warriors. Already in their 10th season they have seen Jon Kerr set a new record for tries in a season and Simon Jenkins become the 5th Warriors to amass 100 club points. But on Saturday they will play their 100th fixture when they travel to Betws RFC. The club may have had their doubters and even some involved were worried if the 1st game would go alright but now they have gone on from strength to strength. After playing just 3 fixtures in their 1st two seasons the club now play 12+ which is equivalent to most other Llanelli & District Clubs. To get to 3 figures has taken time and effort but the club is stronger than ever. After beginning when challenged by the world’s only other similar side, the Swansea Gladiators, their ground breaking attitude has gained recognition this season from national newspapers, magazines, TV and radio. Their fixture list is longer than ever and Specsavers are the latest company to sponsor the side.
Veteran John Horwood who is one of a few ‘originals’ still playing remembers in the early days there was no kit and it wasn’t until the 3rd season that there was any sort of training and then on a patch of grass at the back of Heol Goffa SAC, the day center where it all started. “We’ve certainly come a long way since then. We now have two kits of our own instead of borrowing whilst training and home matches take place at Stradey Park.” John has played in over 90 of those fixtures and acquired the nickname ‘jumping’ for his lineout exploits. “I had never played rugby before the Warriors but have really enjoyed it and want to continue for as long as possible.”
The club was formed to allow people with learning difficulties the chance to fully participate in the national game. Like many people in Llanelli there was plenty of interest at Heol Goffa SAC in rugby, how local sides, the Scarlets or Wales were doing, but no chance to join in.
Current coach Gwilym Lewis explained the concept, “I’m sure everyone can think of someone they know for whom rugby is a huge part of their life. Training, tours, friends, people they’ve met, life experiences, sport plays a huge role. We wanted everyone to have this chance. Now we’ve experienced what local derbies and winning and losing are all about.” Unlike much disability sport it is not segregated either, with the club taking on local clubs and work sides and not having their own special event. Players have had the chance to test themselves against non disabled players.
Highlights over the 100 games have been matches at Cefneithin which have turned into an event in themselves, tour matches to England and curtain raisers including Rupert Moons testimonial and the Lions v New Zealand legends game. Beating the Swansea Gladiators in Waunarlywdd, the 1st time the Challenge Shield had been won away from home was rated by many to have been their greatest achievement. Llanelli players like Gavin Quinell and Justin Hughes have been involved on the playing front whilst David Hodges, Ian Boobyer and Rupert Moon have refereed matches. The Warriors have also hosted touch rugby and 7 a side tournaments.
That the honour of hosting the Warriors 100th match falls to Betws is particularly pleasing for Warriors coach Gwilym Lewis who plays for Betws as does wing Meredith Pugh and full back Richard Griffiths. The club were one of the 1st senior clubs to play the Warriors and a number of players have featured for both sides since.
“I always enjoy going with the Warriors to Betws, and they have been good supporters to us over the years. The Ladies committee are sponsoring the match and I know that we’ll have a great welcome. We usually get a good crowd and I’m sure a few more will turn out because it’s the 100th game. More importantly it’s a good place to watch the Wales match afterwards with a proper international day atmosphere. That’s what the Warriors are all about, enjoying rugby on and off the field.”
“The 100th match will be a great landmark to have reached, especially in our 10th season. I’m sure we will be celebrating it at Betws wehter we win or lose and whatever happens in the Welsh game. After that we will start on the next 100 games which will include our tour of New Zealand”
The clubs record across the 99 games is played 99, won 56, drawn 8 and lost 33. Full back David Spriggs is closing in on the 400 point barrier and they hope to play more than 20 matches by the end of the season to make it their most extensive yet.”
The match against Betws will kick off at 12:00 this Saturday (26th)
The landmarks just keep on falling for the Llanelli Warriors. Already in their 10th season they have seen Jon Kerr set a new record for tries in a season and Simon Jenkins become the 5th Warriors to amass 100 club points. But on Saturday they will play their 100th fixture when they travel to Betws RFC. The club may have had their doubters and even some involved were worried if the 1st game would go alright but now they have gone on from strength to strength. After playing just 3 fixtures in their 1st two seasons the club now play 12+ which is equivalent to most other Llanelli & District Clubs. To get to 3 figures has taken time and effort but the club is stronger than ever. After beginning when challenged by the world’s only other similar side, the Swansea Gladiators, their ground breaking attitude has gained recognition this season from national newspapers, magazines, TV and radio. Their fixture list is longer than ever and Specsavers are the latest company to sponsor the side.
Veteran John Horwood who is one of a few ‘originals’ still playing remembers in the early days there was no kit and it wasn’t until the 3rd season that there was any sort of training and then on a patch of grass at the back of Heol Goffa SAC, the day center where it all started. “We’ve certainly come a long way since then. We now have two kits of our own instead of borrowing whilst training and home matches take place at Stradey Park.” John has played in over 90 of those fixtures and acquired the nickname ‘jumping’ for his lineout exploits. “I had never played rugby before the Warriors but have really enjoyed it and want to continue for as long as possible.”
The club was formed to allow people with learning difficulties the chance to fully participate in the national game. Like many people in Llanelli there was plenty of interest at Heol Goffa SAC in rugby, how local sides, the Scarlets or Wales were doing, but no chance to join in.
Current coach Gwilym Lewis explained the concept, “I’m sure everyone can think of someone they know for whom rugby is a huge part of their life. Training, tours, friends, people they’ve met, life experiences, sport plays a huge role. We wanted everyone to have this chance. Now we’ve experienced what local derbies and winning and losing are all about.” Unlike much disability sport it is not segregated either, with the club taking on local clubs and work sides and not having their own special event. Players have had the chance to test themselves against non disabled players.
Highlights over the 100 games have been matches at Cefneithin which have turned into an event in themselves, tour matches to England and curtain raisers including Rupert Moons testimonial and the Lions v New Zealand legends game. Beating the Swansea Gladiators in Waunarlywdd, the 1st time the Challenge Shield had been won away from home was rated by many to have been their greatest achievement. Llanelli players like Gavin Quinell and Justin Hughes have been involved on the playing front whilst David Hodges, Ian Boobyer and Rupert Moon have refereed matches. The Warriors have also hosted touch rugby and 7 a side tournaments.
That the honour of hosting the Warriors 100th match falls to Betws is particularly pleasing for Warriors coach Gwilym Lewis who plays for Betws as does wing Meredith Pugh and full back Richard Griffiths. The club were one of the 1st senior clubs to play the Warriors and a number of players have featured for both sides since.
“I always enjoy going with the Warriors to Betws, and they have been good supporters to us over the years. The Ladies committee are sponsoring the match and I know that we’ll have a great welcome. We usually get a good crowd and I’m sure a few more will turn out because it’s the 100th game. More importantly it’s a good place to watch the Wales match afterwards with a proper international day atmosphere. That’s what the Warriors are all about, enjoying rugby on and off the field.”
“The 100th match will be a great landmark to have reached, especially in our 10th season. I’m sure we will be celebrating it at Betws wehter we win or lose and whatever happens in the Welsh game. After that we will start on the next 100 games which will include our tour of New Zealand”
The clubs record across the 99 games is played 99, won 56, drawn 8 and lost 33. Full back David Spriggs is closing in on the 400 point barrier and they hope to play more than 20 matches by the end of the season to make it their most extensive yet.”
The match against Betws will kick off at 12:00 this Saturday (26th)
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