In this photo: Andy, Rhys, Ben BJ, James, Conan, Pieface, Tom, Jack, Tucker, Theo, George, Luke, Dan, Hoover, Dexter, Gwilym, James tew, Bloc, Lee the Mole, Dion, Rich hapus, Colin, Daeno, Tony wheredyertaker, Petticoat, Nathan, Josh, Killer, Big Al, Jumpin' John, Andrew John, 2 Guns, Kerry O'Sullivan and more...So despite James Tew using his weight on the wing, Bloc jinking about for his tries and Big Al making several breaks - sometimes with the ball, the Warriors 18 match unbeaten run, stretching back to a 0 - 7 loss to Dyfed Steel, to a time when Tony Blair was Prime Minister and petrol was less than £1 a litre, came to an end.
Considering it was the day after Wales secured a triple crown and e**land lost to Scotland it was a very quick match but then the Freshers XV are all younger than all but 2 of the Warriors (well, when Gwilyms not playing for them).
They were also able to keep the pace up because they had about 30 players this time instead of the 6 that turned up last time. Even Hoover turned up again (perhaps he’d heard Simon was injured) though Conan had “pulled a hamstring”.
Typically for the Warriors they were probably weaker for this 2nd visit with babysitting, trench digging and “Mam won’t let me play” among the excuses.
The Warriors should be pretty pleased with their performance despite the result. A number of players did well out of position and the whole team showed they could play. The forwards even eventually did some rucking whilst Gwilym was pleased with the chance to wish Jack a happy birthday during early exchanges. It was nice for the Warriors front row to actually face opponents about the same size but what James Tew made of having to face Tucker on the wing goodness knows.
Seren y Gem was shared between props Rich Hapus and Colin who both showed plenty of appetite with their excellent pick and drives.
It wasn’t all good though with Gwilym cross kick and big Al’s ‘nice break – wheres the ball’ emerging from a crowded field as skills of the day.
Those who made it to the Pub on the Pond for France v Italy were ‘treated’ to Whittaker’s speech, some crap rugby (same again next week please France) and the 1st match programme of the season (still available if anyone wants one).
Hopefully there will be a rematch later in the season back at Stradey to look forward to but until then we’ll just have to make do with a Grand Slam/Championship decider next weekend.
Considering it was the day after Wales secured a triple crown and e**land lost to Scotland it was a very quick match but then the Freshers XV are all younger than all but 2 of the Warriors (well, when Gwilyms not playing for them).
They were also able to keep the pace up because they had about 30 players this time instead of the 6 that turned up last time. Even Hoover turned up again (perhaps he’d heard Simon was injured) though Conan had “pulled a hamstring”.
Typically for the Warriors they were probably weaker for this 2nd visit with babysitting, trench digging and “Mam won’t let me play” among the excuses.
The Warriors should be pretty pleased with their performance despite the result. A number of players did well out of position and the whole team showed they could play. The forwards even eventually did some rucking whilst Gwilym was pleased with the chance to wish Jack a happy birthday during early exchanges. It was nice for the Warriors front row to actually face opponents about the same size but what James Tew made of having to face Tucker on the wing goodness knows.
Seren y Gem was shared between props Rich Hapus and Colin who both showed plenty of appetite with their excellent pick and drives.
It wasn’t all good though with Gwilym cross kick and big Al’s ‘nice break – wheres the ball’ emerging from a crowded field as skills of the day.
Those who made it to the Pub on the Pond for France v Italy were ‘treated’ to Whittaker’s speech, some crap rugby (same again next week please France) and the 1st match programme of the season (still available if anyone wants one).
Hopefully there will be a rematch later in the season back at Stradey to look forward to but until then we’ll just have to make do with a Grand Slam/Championship decider next weekend.
MATCH REPORT
After months and 18 matches the Warriors impressive unbeaten run finally came to an end in Swansea University.
The Warriors were missing some key players but the Students were good value for their win, their large squad having a distinctly experimental look about it.
With both sides committed to running rugby and excellent conditions the match was played at a hectic pace. It was the Warriors secured an early lead, flanker Gwilym Lewis put a big hit in on Swansea prop Jack Sirett and from the resulting pressure they won a penalty which Captain Tony Whittaker stepped up to bang over.
Swansea though, looked threatening from the off and swept up field at regular intervals.
Despite some good defensive work from Crowther and Howells on the wings the scores had an air of inevitability about them. They scored to tries through Dan Geare and Stephens both off flowing movements.
It looked as though the Warriors might be buried at this stage but Dean Gilasbey pushed the Warriors forward with some big box kicks which were well chased to force a foothold in University territory. Eventually number 8 Jason Bennett stepped through a tackle and forced his way over for a try Kerr improved. The momentum didn’t stay with the Warriors for long though and Aaron Lee streaked away for another student score before half time.
The University had the benefit of plenty of fresh legs and were able to introduce the likes of the fleet footed Joe Tucker on the wing and big George York up front.
The Warriors though kept plugging away. Andy Green proved a good value signing causing plenty of problems in mid field with co center Alan Stephens whilst up front Rich Evans carried on where fellow prop Colin Talcon had left off and they eventually shared the Man of the Match award.
The University extended their lead though when James Gregory managed to just beat the cover to go under the posts.
Again the Warriors needed to step up to stay in touch and some excellent off loading in the tackle and pick and drive. They made good progress up the field and it was that man Bennett who again drove over.
The University couldn’t capitalise on Ben West's pin point drop out and again the Warriors battered their way up field forcing a scrum 5. Scrum half Dexter Robinson was pressurised into a mistake and Gwilym Lewis pounced for a classic poachers score.
Both sides looked to land the killer blow in the final minutes and play flashed up and down the field but with the odd pass going astray and some determined defence neither side could add to their score.
The Warriors will be hoping to win the rematch later in the year whilst the next challenge for the Swansea Freshers is their varsity match against Cardiff at Llanrumney in April.
The Warriors were missing some key players but the Students were good value for their win, their large squad having a distinctly experimental look about it.
With both sides committed to running rugby and excellent conditions the match was played at a hectic pace. It was the Warriors secured an early lead, flanker Gwilym Lewis put a big hit in on Swansea prop Jack Sirett and from the resulting pressure they won a penalty which Captain Tony Whittaker stepped up to bang over.
Swansea though, looked threatening from the off and swept up field at regular intervals.
Despite some good defensive work from Crowther and Howells on the wings the scores had an air of inevitability about them. They scored to tries through Dan Geare and Stephens both off flowing movements.
It looked as though the Warriors might be buried at this stage but Dean Gilasbey pushed the Warriors forward with some big box kicks which were well chased to force a foothold in University territory. Eventually number 8 Jason Bennett stepped through a tackle and forced his way over for a try Kerr improved. The momentum didn’t stay with the Warriors for long though and Aaron Lee streaked away for another student score before half time.
The University had the benefit of plenty of fresh legs and were able to introduce the likes of the fleet footed Joe Tucker on the wing and big George York up front.
The Warriors though kept plugging away. Andy Green proved a good value signing causing plenty of problems in mid field with co center Alan Stephens whilst up front Rich Evans carried on where fellow prop Colin Talcon had left off and they eventually shared the Man of the Match award.
The University extended their lead though when James Gregory managed to just beat the cover to go under the posts.
Again the Warriors needed to step up to stay in touch and some excellent off loading in the tackle and pick and drive. They made good progress up the field and it was that man Bennett who again drove over.
The University couldn’t capitalise on Ben West's pin point drop out and again the Warriors battered their way up field forcing a scrum 5. Scrum half Dexter Robinson was pressurised into a mistake and Gwilym Lewis pounced for a classic poachers score.
Both sides looked to land the killer blow in the final minutes and play flashed up and down the field but with the odd pass going astray and some determined defence neither side could add to their score.
The Warriors will be hoping to win the rematch later in the year whilst the next challenge for the Swansea Freshers is their varsity match against Cardiff at Llanrumney in April.
Warriors: Tony Whittaker (Cpt), James Howells, Alan Stephens, Andy Green, Joshua Crowther, Andrew john, Dean Gilasbey, Colin Talcon (Richard Evans), Jason Jenkins, Nathan David (Lee Rowlands), Darren Pollitt, John Horwood, Jon Kerr, Jason Bennett, Gwilym Lewis.
Freshers: Pieface, Hoover, Luke, Steve, Rhys, Tom, Dan, Jonny, BJ, Theo, Greggs, Trevor, Jack, George,
Warriors scores:
Tries: Jason Bennett (2) Gwilym Lewis
Conversion: Jon Kerr
Penalty: Tony Whittaker
Ref: Kerry O'Sullivan/Tom Wallis
Killer gives Jack his best hard stare before the start
Everyone ready so the ref checks the balls
Upside down Jas
Andy takes it up
Warriors win ruck!
Colin enjoying the 2nd half sunshine
ref & flanker enjoy gentle stroll
Big Al gets Josh into position
HEAVE!
Gwilym Lulu almost too fast for camera shocker!!!
Freshers - a bunch of arses
twinkle toed Bloc goes over for his 2nd
take your time Tony - your gonna miss anyway
Jack gently strokes Deans hair as Andy recoils in shock
James Tew using his weight to burst through
Dean '1 bounce or 2' Gilasbey fires out another pass
Andrew John on the break
Bloc about to double the weight of the Warriors scrum
boys needing a sit down
twist again Kerr slots the extras from Gwilym's 50m try
Lee mole & Big Al search for their contact lense
Leaping like a salmon while Jason checks the ball
Rising up: Jumpin' John Horwood in acton
Killer lies down to watch Swansea Morris dancing formation
Dion ML cleans up
er...Col, you do know we lost don't you??
Killer
so wahts that your looking at there deano?
win or lose - on the booze
Josh contemplates what might have been
Captain Tony overcome with emotion
You'd think students wouldn't have trouble reading
Petticoat rocks
Marks out of 10 for dad's performance
Ser y gem/men of the match
Lulu tries to work out how he can talk up his try
Tony's speech time
Drinks for the Man of the Match - Rich hapus and Colin T
Swansea's finest!
Nathan, Tony & Josh commitee meeting
Colin kicks back
2 guns ready for the next pub
Tew
Killer Kerr
and Josh -lets go!
No comments:
Post a Comment