Pontyberem W 36-34 Llanelli Warriors 36 (match 95)

South Wales Guardian

Llanelli Star

Played on the 27th of December the Warriors just managed to hang on for victory in this exciting game. The Warriors 1st visit was deemed a success with Pontyberem taking the opportunity to blood a couple of youngsters. After the match Pontyberem donated the proceeds of the raffle to the Warriors New Zealand tour fund.

For those who can't be bothered to read the reviews from above here it is again...

Pontyberem 34 Llanelli Warriors 36

Llanelli Warriors edged this classic Christmas clash and returned from the Gwendreath valley with a moral boosting victory. The various calls of the holiday season saw both sides with a slightly unfamiliar look with Pontyberem using the opportunity to introduce several young players and try out some different combinations.
After making the early running the Bont side were stunned by an interception by Andrew Green who had just enough pace to score. This gave the Warriors belief and they came out of their shells to play some excellent rugby. Meredith Pugh and Richard Evans both worked hard on the wings and set up another for Green to be driven over. In a superb 1st half Captain Colin Talcon marked his 70th match with a try and Simon Jenkins also got over.
Pontyberem’s mixture of youngsters with a couple of old heads was also finding it’s feet and they scored a brace of fine tries to keep them in the game. Luckily firm tackling from the likes of Jason Jenkins and John Horwood kept the Warriors ahead.
The second half saw the Warriors make some astute changes bringing on exciting runner Craig Oag and wily old veteran Gary James. With James Davies also going well the rugby was perhaps even better than the 1st half but the scores didn’t quite come. David Newson and John Horwood were both held up but they were not as wasteful as Bont who scorned numerous scoring opportunities or were foiled by some last ditch defence. They couldn’t hold out forever though and Bont clawed their way back with some sweeping moves. Man of the match Simon Jenkins gave the Warriors a little breathing space when he got his second try and third conversion. In the end it was just enough as Pontyberem missed a conversion in the last act of the game. The Warriors just managing a victory that will give them heart as they head into the 2nd half of their 10th season.
A great welcome in the clubhouse afterwards was aided when Pontyberem handed over £125 towards the Warriors tour of New Zealand. An excellent day it is hoped it might become a regular Christmas fixture.

Llanelli Warriors: Mathew Billo, Richard Evans, Paul Jayseab (Craig Oag), Andrew Green (Gary James), Meredith Pugh (James Davies), Jonathan Jones, Dean Gilasbey, Kevin Procter (Mike James), Jason Jenkins, Colin Talcon (Cpt) (Chris Bonar), Roger Thomas, John Horwood, Simon Jenkins, David Newson, Gwilym Lewis.