Llanelli Warriors 8 Swansea Gladiators 5 (Match 134)

Match report

The Warriors managed to scrape a win against their biggest rivals and oldest opponents, the Swansea Gladiators. It was sweet revenge for one of just two loses they have suffered this term but took them a lot of hard work to secure.
This was the 19th game between the two teams and as closely fought as any of them. The teams were very evenly matched and the awful weather was even more of a leveller. Consequently much of the game was played between the two 22s and both sides found it hard to gain any momentum.
With two tough defences and lots of handling errors both sides got frustrated. After a bright start the Warriors started to find themselves trapped in their own half and it was no surprise when the Gladiators backs managed to carve an opening and score a fine try.
The score didn’t lead to the game opening out and with the rain hammering down it was difficult for either team to make much headway.
The stalemate lasted into the second half, the Gladiators dominated the lineout with dynamic hooker Adrian Williams showing up strongly but the Warriors made ground through the likes of Richard Evans and Alan Taylor.
The Warriors laid siege to the Gladiators line and finally got some reward for their efforts when Tony Whittaker banged over a penalty, a crucial decision from Captain Jason Jenkins going against many of his team mates who felt a try was a matter of time.
It looked like he might have been mistaken as the minutes started to slip away and it must have been into injury time before the Warriors breakthrough came. With another move seemingly snuffed out and most of the Warriors backline committed to the ruck, good hands in midfield from Lewis and Gilasbey gave prop James Dew a half chance. A twinkle toed side step allowed him room to move and he scampered over in the corner for what proved to be the winning score.
With a number of injuries having occurred there was still time for the Gladiators to go for the win but the Warriors held firm to ensure the victory.
Both teams had put everything into a tight contest and Warriors prop Jason Bennett was later named man of the match.
Llanelli Warriors: Richard Pegler (Mathew Jones), Richard Evans, Andrew John, Neil Parker, Alan Taylor, Jon Jones, Lee Rowlands (Dean Gilasbey), Jason Bennett (James Dew), Jason Jenkins (Cpt), Colin Talcon (Darren Petticaul), John Horwood, Tony Whittaker, Alan Stephens (Wayne Rodgers), Simon Jenkins, Gwilym Lewis

Warriors scores:
Try: James Dew
Penalty: Tony Whittaker

Man of the Match: Jason Benett