See the NZ tour review on the Warriors site for further details or (side panel) the link to the Sec's personal tour diary. Avery nerve raking experience, playing in NZ as no one knew quite what would happen but in the end it was a great day and night. So good was the impression made that the host club are putting together a wall dedicated to the match.
Carterton 39 Llanelli Warriors 41.
The Warriors got their tour off to a flying start with this narrow win in the Wiarapa Bush region. Boosted by tour hosts Bernard Gittings, Rhys Bersley and Ian Marshall, they managed to put aside press coverage and concentrate on the task at hand. Both sides looked to play the ball whenever possible and the large crowd were kept well entertained. The forwards managed to provide enough quick ball for the backs to use and this they did effectively. Andrew John did well in the unfamiliar role of inside center whilst prop Alan Stephens showed up well in the loose with some bullocking runs that caused panic in the Carterton defence. Lee Rowlands settled the inevitable 1st match nerves with a try after about quarter of an hour. Carterton though hit back immediately and so the pattern of the game was set with neither side able to exert constant pressure.
Both sides scored at frequent intervals with No 8 Dai Newson storming over for his 50th touch down. Rob Roberts incisive running made a try for Captain Dai Edwards and Stephens produced a similar effort for Richard Evans to benefit. With the effects of touring obviously taking their toll in the second half the pace did slow somewhat. Colin Talcon popped up for a try to cap a man of the match performance and the accurate kicking of Jon Kerr who missed just once ensured the Llanelli team kept their lead. The kiwi contingent also made their mark with Ian Marshall grabbing a try and full back Bersley dropping a goal. The home side redoubled efforts but the crowd, including a vocal contingent from Pontyates, got behind the Warriors and urged them on, Gwilym Lewis getting a huge cheer for one impressive run. Carterton though where not prepared to just lie down. In the final move of the game they produced a sweeping move which finished under the posts. This brought them to within 2 points with an easy conversion to follow. However the match was to end in controversy. The original kick looked fine but when the referee saw linesman Lewis Jones was out of position he insisted on a retake. The second kick looked to have snuck through as well but Lewis ruled miss and the referee accepted his decision. Carterton officials later vowed the incident would go down in Welsh/New Zealand folklore alongside the Haden and Deans incidents.
Warriors XV: Rhys Bersley, Rob Roberts, Lee Rowlands (Bernard Gittings), Andrew John, Richard Evans (Tony Whittaker), Dean Gilasbey, Gary James, Colin Talcon (Darren Davies), Jason Jenkins (Dai Edwards), Alun Stephens, Jon Kerr, John Horwood, Ian Marshall, Dai Newson, Gwilym Lewis.
see a short version of what appeared in the local paper HERE
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