Llanelli Warriors RFC: Llanelli Warriors 17 Scarletfever 14 (match 120)

Programme cover: Warriors in Penybanc and 'elder statesman' Scarletman in training

A very enjoyable match aginst the Scarletfever web site. There are about 1000 photos (give or take) so the match report is 1st. The report appeared (editied version) in the star which is at the bottom of this entry if you get that far!! Plenty of reaction on the Scarlet fever Blog (scroll down) and on the forum itself. The general after match reaction was something the Warriors hadn't encountereed before: the opposition chuffed with their performance (quite rightly) and gaining much of the plaudits. This is a sign of how far the Warriors have come and how much of a reputation they have built up. There were plenty of on field incidents with BOTH sides having tries disallowed (correctly) but how come there are no pics of Twls throwing up (right where the Scarlets train). Luckily he had got most of it up ealier in Mcy-Ds drive through.

Thanks to everyone who supported the day, Dobbin and Louie for officiating and the Cambrian where for once it was possible to just have a couple of quiet pints and go home without being dragged into another huge sesh.

Match report

The Warriors staged an interesting fixture on the weekend when they took on a team made up from members of the scarletfever internet forum. The forum is a site for scarlet fans worldwide and boasts almost 3000 members. The side was representative of the forum in that it had a strong Llanelli base but had players from over 50 miles away featuring. It was a chance for members to meet up and support the Warriors at the same time. Training sessions had been held for many months and warm spring sunshine greeted the team as they stopped talking about rugby and started to play.
In fact despite the fact they hadn’t played together before it was Scarletfever who started of the stronger. A physically big team they took the initiative up front and dominated opening exchanges. The Warriors were the team who looked a little lost and Scarletfever took full advantage with Ben Phillips getting just reward for their early good work. A neat try Mike John improved it and the computer boys were in front.
As they settled the Warriors did put some moves together and often broke the first line of defence but good work from scarletfever quickly snuffed out any threat. The Warriors, through Gary James used the strong wind to gain territory and attacked the scarletfever line with several blindside moves. These came to nothing however and it seemed the danger had passed when fever won a scrum. However a mix up at half back and pressure from the Warriors saw Gwilym Lewis stealing the ball behind the line and only having to fall to claim the try, Tony Whittaker drew the score level with the conversion.
Both sides were guilty of not spreading the ball although the strong wind didn’t help the passing game but there was plenty happening up front. Rucks and mauls were strongly contested and both sides put in some big hits. The Warriors went into the lead when Whittaker beautifully kicked a penalty and despite plenty of endeavour from both sides that’s how the score remained until half time.
The second half saw much of the same attacking rugby although the Warriors did look to play a little wider chasing into the wind. Warriors center Andrew John had a battle royal with his brother Mike playing stand off for fever. A high elbow didn’t curb Michael’s enthusiasm and he had the last laugh when he danced out of a couple of tackles and raced to the try line. He also added the conversion putting his side in front again.
The Warriors were beginning to find holes out wide with James Howells and Alan Taylor proving a handful for the fever defence. The Fever defence was stretched on a number of occasions and No8 Alan Stephens burst over only to be held up over the line. The score was inevitable though. Neil Parker was the man after play had switched right and left from a scrum. His direct running got the score and Jon Kerr added the conversion to nudge the Warriors in front. The final 10 minutes saw plenty of incidents as the scarletfever team threw everything into attack. The Warriors though were just as desperate to hold their ground record. The Warriors had to endure a nervous ending but eventually time ran out for the scarletfever team and the Warriors were happy to see the ball off the park.
A great day for both sides the Warriors were more than impressed with the scarletfevers first outing. They dominated lineouts and had enough skill behind to make it a win the Warriors will saviour.

Llanelli Warriors: James Davies (Rob Roberts), James Howells (Alan Taylor), Neil Parker, Andrew John, Tony Whittaker (Lee Rowlands), Dean Gilasbey, Gary James (Mathew Jones), Gareth McKibbon (Richard Evans), Jason Bennett (Kevin Procter), Colin Talcon (Meredith Pugh), John Horwood (Jon Kerr), Roger Thomas (Cpt), Chris Spriggs, Alan Stephens, Gwilym Lewis

Here come the pics (are you sitting comftably)

Al Taylor and Gary Shed finally turn up (and have to brave the gauntlet of the Fever's passionate support)

Louie striding about the place like he owns it (what do you mean he does)

The enemy

Kick off

early line out (thanks to Fozzie for these pics)

haring up field

early pressure from the Warriors as the team throw everything into attack (except Tony)

Ref disallows perfectly good Warriors try (cum on ref, open yur eyes etc)

strolling over for scrum

Not fair - attacking when Sheds not looking

conceeded score

hammering away at the line (again)

Got the score

Jason Bloc - one man maul

Gwilym gets ahead

Deano hobbles around the scrum

Shed puts in another big touch finder

ariel battle

Pile in then!

James struggles to balance on the pitch, but where is scarletboy going?!!?

Speedy ducks away

Penalty Warriors (Good decision, every time refferee etc etc)

Tony Wheredyatakeher slots the points

Meredith gets a good view of Al on the charge

Parker! Running!

On yer knees - Bloc tries to see things from Speedy's point of view

Gwilym mincing about the field again

Possible high tackle (see later photos for more of Andre(w) the giant picking on people not his own size

I know its a friendly, but all this hugging!

Not so friendly - ChriSp looking mean: Grrrrr

Trying to go forward

Half time (phew)

Chris tries to spot danger on the horizon

Warriors dejected after conceeding another score

back on the attack, Billo spins it out

A Sheep surge

Good support (keep up Twls)

One in - all in (heave!)

All fall down

Taylor like a speeding bullet (across field)

Lee the Mole getting stuck in

Wizard magics his way through a gap (sori but someone had too)

Twls takes it on

Andrew still bullying Speedy

Warriors ecstatic with 2nd score

Killer Kicks

Gwilym shouting at people

Spriggs trying to bite Big Ian's ankles

Colin Talcon adds his weight

Warriors go wide
fever cover it
RUCK!
Billo swings it out (no wonder he won a dance off in Tom Pepps the next time he was out)
Warriors athletes in action
Fever secure ball under pressure
it's all over
Tunnel of love
Blimey, whose that tall kid, can he play!

Right, now the good photos,
more of which (you want more?!) can be seen at Photosports Wales

Oh, please don't tackle me!

Big Al sets up good ball

Gwil goes for a burrow

Good squeeeeese ball

In comes Deano

Needs Lulu's help

Chase is on

Tony gets back to make sure

Parker does his come to bed eyes

Scarletboy gives Lulu a (High) cwtch

Not sure if this is Tai chi or musical statues

Big Iain vs Chris Spriggs

Just about

"Hang on Spriggsy, Spriggsy hang on!"

Pantomine horse auditions
Note from 3rd Official. Due to the magnitude of the match and controversey (whinging) concerning a possible disallowed try we have had a look at replays. As you can see the evidence is indisputable - both feet were definatley in touch. We hope that this will clear things up and that Dobbin will now be able to walk the streets of Llanelli safe from attacks relating to this incident. Surley the fact he is an Osprey fan is reason enough to have a go at him anyway!

Unlucky Tyla

Is there a gap there?

NO!

Andrew John looking 7' tall