Llanelli Warriors 22 Duke of Wellington 17 (Match 148)

Lee 'Mole' Rowlands wrote the report so it may not be up to the usual standard but shouldn't complain as he also reffed the game.

Match report

A strong Warriors team took to the field looking to blow away the cobwebs from Swansea Uplands 2 weeks ago, uncharacteristically for the Warriors they were first to settle and good work from Neil Parker and Andrew John set up Jonathan Jones for the first Warriors score out wide. Both teams settled well and possession was shared between the two teams before Dean Roberts found the room to go over for a score converted by Tony Richards.
The Duke used the muscle of Lee Williams, Justin Hughes and Tony Richards to complement the guile of Lee Diana, Dean Roberts and Josh, it was the latter that looked to have worked himself clear and crossed the try-line before Anthony Randall got back to put in a try saving tackle and hold the ball up over the line on the stroke of half time.
The second half began much the same as the first with the Warriors’ backs putting Anthony over early in the second half; the score was quickly matched by Josh crossing for the Duke. A combination of strong running and weak tackling put Rob Hughes under the posts for his first score for the Warriors.
A period of mistakes from both side marred what had been a good game and it was an advantage from a Duke knock on that led to Jonathan Jones picking up on the half way line before twisting and turning his way over.
The Duke found themselves 10 points down and rallied with 10 minutes left in the game, strong counter attack running from Duke full back 63 year old Steve Swearer set up a sustained period of pressure and only last ditch tackles from Neil Parker and Richard Evans on one flank and Andrew John on the other preventing certain scores. The Duke’s efforts were finally rewarded with a score by Darren. From the restart the Warriors were again put under pressure, with the try line at their mercy a mistake by the Duke gave the Warriors a scrum and the opportunity to put the ball out and signal the end of the game.



It should be noted that the Warriors lent the Duke a few players including Lee Picton Diana but to be fair they also lent them some decent ones like Dean Roberts as well.