Penybanc 12 Llanelli Warriors 43 (match 103)

Reports from the Ll. Star and the SW Guardian

The inspiration, colour version and finally programme cover for the Warriors apre-Grand Slam match at Penybanc

The day after the night before as two very subdued teams emerged from the rubble of the Welsh win over Ireland to celebrate the grand slam with a game of rugby. Perfect conditions and a feel good atmosphere helped make the teams second meeting another enjoyable affair. Meredith Pugh finally played against his own village club (inc brother Adrian) and scored a nice try in the process. Thanks to Gareth Sgwar for driving the bus.

Penybanc 12 Llanelli Warriors 43

It may have been ‘after the Lord Mayor’s show’ but the Warriors managed their own clean sweep when they won an entertaining game at Penybanc on Sunday. Over the 6 Nations period the side have racked up results again Turn Style select, Cefneithin, Betws, Kwik Save XV and Burry Port before yesterdays encounter.
With both teams rather the worse for wear after the previous nights Grand Slam celebrations it was a surprise to see so much running rugby but the game was quick and skilful.
The Warriors got off to a good start with center Lee Rowlands crossing early on and Tony Whittaker added a penalty soon after. Try machine Jon Kerr grabbed his 14th of the season and improved to extend the lead before Penybanc settled and got their defence more organised. Quick hands from Lewis, Billo, Stephens, Lewis again and Barber saw Whittaker cross under the posts before the end of the half and his conversion saw the Llanelli team build a commanding lead. Penybanc should have cut this when a sweeping movement took them around behind the posts only for a stray boot on the dead ball line to deny them.
They did come back strongly after half time. Tench at scrum half finally managed to get some change out of the close marking of opposite number Gwilym Lewis and Mathew Ladd began to pull the strings. Adrian Pugh and Cellan Harris were constantly to the fore for the tigers. They scored two top class tries to make a game of it at 22-12 but the Warriors weren’t done. Mathew Billo crossed and then James Howells scored the try of the game when he flashed through the defence with Kerr converting. The scoring was rounded off when local product Meredith Pugh forced his way over in the final act of the game and he was later named man of the match.
Captain for the day Jason Jenkins was pleased with the performance. “It has been a very busy time for us recently,” he said. “We have had a great time with our games following Wales. It has been our busiest and most successful 6 nations period. The sides we’ve played have all been very good to us as well and we reached a big land mark with our 100th game. Hopefully we can continue our form through to the end of the season.”
Llanelli Warriors: Meredith Pugh, Tony Whittaker, Lee Rowlands (Lee Barber), Alun Stephens, James Howells, Mathew Billo, Gwilym Lewis, Dai Edwards, Jason Jenkins, Richard Evans, John Horwood, Roger Thomas, Jonathan Kerr, Dai Newson, Mike James.