Llanelli Warriors 41 Saracens Brave Herts 35 (match 130)

or something like that...

The Warriors managed to record their 5th staright victory - sealing a very successful 6 nations period for the club. A mini Grand Slam was achivied with victories over 3 Welsh, 1 Scottish and now 1 e**lish club.

Match Report

The Llanelli Warriors retained the CMG cup in an intriguing match at Stradey Park last Friday night.
With both teams including players with learning difficulties the game was a great advert for Challenge rugby. The coaches agreed the standard was high with good skill levels shown throughout. Obviously the Warriors were delighted to secure the victory but more importantly over 20 players, despite being labelled disabled, had the chance to represent their communities and country on the rugby field.
The Warriors started strongly, mainly through their backs with wing James Howells, prop James Dew and fly half Jon Jones crossing for early scores. The Warriors were playing their 130th fixture whilst for the Saracens it was just their 6th and this experience was brought to bear in an impressive opening quarter.
The Saracens though, putting their long coach journey behind them, managed to hit back through their impressive forwards. McCann, Reed, Daley, Lewis and Kyshenia rumbled up the field and powered over for a couple of tries putting the game back into the balance.
Home advantage meant the Warriors had a large squad at their disposal for what is already a popular fixture. Joining the impressive Meredith Pugh and Tony Whittaker were the gazelle like Jason Bennett and the tough tackling Mark Sargent. This allowed the Warriors to regain some of the initiative and stay ahead of the Brave Herts revival. The smaller English squad pushed the Llanelli team all the way with both sides adding to their tally but in the end the Warriors secured the silverware.
On a great night for the club the Warriors received £600 from champion fund raisers Rob’s Jewellery, rasied in memory of former Warriors full back Dai Spriggs. The money was presented to his father Mike who in turn presented the club with an impressive David Spriggs Memorial Cup which will be presented to the Player of the Year.
Back at the Cambrian Pub Hornes and Edwards were named as their repective teams’ Man of the Match before outgoing Saracens Captain Tony Reed presented victorious Warriors Captain Jason Jenkins with the CMG cup.
The Sarcens Brave Herts tour, which also took in a trip to Cardiff was a resounding success and the Warriors would like to thank all at the Cambrian and the Scarlets ground staff for their help in hosting their guests. The Warriors hope to make the return journey in May.

Llanelli Warriors: Meredith Pugh, Tony Whittaker, Lee Rowlands (Mark Sargent), Andrew John (James Davies), James Howells, Jon Jones (Matthew Jones), Lee Barber (Mike Esney), Dai Edwards, Jason Jenkins (Cpt), James Dew (Colin Talcon), Roger Thomas, John Horwood, Chris Spriggs, Simon Jenkins, Gwilym Lewis (Jason Bennett)

Saracens squad: Oliver McCann, Stuart Daly, Barry Kyshenia, Tony Read, Jonathan Horne, James Shilton, David Dobson, Nick Winwood, Mark Lewis, Chris Johnson, Micky Robinson, Richard Seaward, Tom Ward, Lee Corley, Martin Helbig, Jamie Delamain, Matt Smith, Mark Brooks, Robert Seager

Ref: Steve O'Neil

Warriors Tries: James Dew (2), James Howells (2), Jon Jones, Tony Whittaker

Conversions: Simon Jenkins

Saracens Tries: Micky Robinson, Barry Kyshenia 2, Jamie Delamain, Stuart Daly

Conversions: Chris Johnson (5)

Saracens featured debut's from Martin Helbig, Jonathan Horne, Robert Seager, James Shilton and Micky Robinson. Also sneaking on to help out (ie Bradwyr turncoats) Mathew Jones, Gwilym Lewis and Lee Rowlands.

Warriors Man of the Match: Dai Edwards
Saracens Man of the Match: Jonathan Horne

You will notice a certain vagueness about the above report which is due to a general sequence of events that went something like this: finish playing rugby-drink-sleep-drink-play rugby-drink-watch Wales smash england-DRINK-DRINK-sleep. Perhaps once I've found Louie some more details will emerge so keep checking back. Anyway top game, top night and from what I saw in the Philamonic in Cardiff on Saturday the Saracens weren't too down hearted either. I beleive there was a mention on BBC Radio Wales the next day but technical problems put paid to the live interview. Thanks to Dai Healey and his ground staff for such a top notch effort on the field. A good squad turned out for the Warriors including Lee Barber's annual apperance, Mike Esney's return after 5 years of retirment and Mark Sargents lllooonnnggg promised debut. Although they started in their usual positions, the likes of Meredith Pugh (center), Tony Whittaker (center), Simon jenkins (scrum half) and Roger Thomas (flanker) all got the chance to get some experience in different positions. The Warriors stsrted off the match at a frantic pace with sweping moves that openned the way for James Howells, James Dew, Jon Jones and eventually Tony Whittaker to run in tries. This strong start was not suprising due to several factors: The Warriors coming off a strong preformance in Cefneithin, with a settled side playing at home whilst the Saracens had travelled down that afternoon with a small inexerpienced squad in which 5 players were making debuts. It is to their credit then that they soon managed to get into the game. While the Warriors experimented with their backline the Saracens pack took the bull by the horns and carried well upfield. They used close quater passing and mauls to good effect and well directed from fly half, proceeded to first gain territory, and then points. Barry Kyshenia led the way with two touch downs whilst Mikey Robinson, Stuart Daly and Jamie Delamain also crossed. Chris Johnson, who had a livley game at the base of the scrum converted each try for a ten point haul.

Rob's Jewellrey presented £600 to the club in honour of Dai Spriggs while Mike himself presented The Dai Spriggs Memorial Trophy which will from now on be presented to the Player of the Year. Unfortunatley the photos haven't come out but the support was much appreciated. Rob's boys were also most welcome guests back at the Cambrian.

With presentations made again (and still crap photos) Jason kept a close eye on the CMG cup as it was handed around for all to partake. Louie of course partaked to much and was last seen helped into a taxi. to make sure the party went on into the night there was a relay of Warriors with Tori, Pegler and Burnell all turning up well into the event. The english u21's managed (with 9 minutes of extra time) to scrap a draw but it was all a cracking start to the weekend which produced THIS

Congratulations to Olly who will be taking over from Tony as Capatin of the Saracens: good luck.

Fotos

The sun sets in the West in Llanelli

Simon points to where he's going to run

Saracens with late attacking line out

Dai Ed has his usual mid game injury


Are you cold Lulu


Oh yes you are!


well - you can't play champange rugby on just water you know!


Special 'ref vision' lense lets you see Dobbin as he sees the game


Warrior athletes 're fuel'


How drunk are you going to get Louie?


Dai Posh- Man of the Match eats alone!

Jason 'chatting' with Roger's Mam!!

Gwilym regails with another 'interesting' Betws story

The East Wales contigent enjoying themselves

Pauline trying to join the Sarcens Barve Herts



Chris has a quiet coke (and a noisy beer)

Louie thinks he's still got his flag

Gwilym does speeches

Nick does speeches

Jonathan with Man of the Match pint

Dai Ed takes away his Man of the Match polo shirt

Victorious Captain Jason "RROOOAARRR"!!!

Flippin' eck Tony, it's only a game mun!

That's better!

Lee Barbara: "thats me for the year then!"

Jas keeps a close eye on the cup as Bazza has a sip

Daley has a taster

Jumpin' John has a very delicate sip

While Louie gulps down as much as possible

Tarw has two gulps (at least I think thats what Bloc means)

Little sips for little wingers

Bazza (again!)

Colin and the cup

The Warriorettes (Tori, Delyth and Pauline) send Jumpin' and Burnell to sleep

OI! Pauline - your supposed to be our groupie!!!

Little & Large

Match report from Star

Rob & the boys: Champion fundraisers

MORE FOTOS ON THE WAY!