Llanelli Warriors RFC: Tumble 25 Llanelli Warriors 29 (Match 149)

This truncated version of the report is from the Llanelli Star with versions also appearing in the SW Guardian and Carm Journal - full version below

The Warriors had a great day at Tumble - won the game, free beer, free kit and John Horwood singing, if only the fireworks Lewi kept trying to return to had taken him off into the night sky it would have been perfect, read on for the latest Warriors adventures...

Match report

The Warriors began the month with a sparkling display at Tumble with almost as many fireworks on the field as in the display afterwards.
The teams shared 10 tries in an attractive matched well refereed by Wales' forwards coach Robin McBryde. The Warriors welcomed back a number of players for their 1st start of the season and it showed as they settled quickly. Centre Mathew Jones showed some early touches but bombed a couple of tries trough poor decision making and lack of football skills with the line at his mercy. Eventually his co centre Alun Stephens got the score board moving when he followed a neat chip through.
Wing Neil Parker rounded off a move to put the visitors further ahead but it wasn't long before Tumble came back, Richard Jones claiming their opening score after some good approach work from Chris Lloyd and Gareth Cavil.
The teams where evenly matched in most areas, Horwood, Thomas (Warriors) and Andrews and Rumblow (Tumble) enjoying a aerial battle at the line outs. The Warriors had the edge at the scrums though where man of the Match Huw Jenkins was always the centre of attention.
The Second half saw Tumble strike back with tries from Nolan, Flint and Endaf Jones. They might have created the momentum to win the game had it not been for some big hits from full back Anthony Randall. Tumble emptied their bench, the likes of Rhydian Row and Rhys Lewis making good contributions whilst the Warriors brought on vetran Huw Daniels for his club debut.
Tumble's lack of place kicking came back to haunt them when the Warriors finnished strongly, Martin Smith showed good pace in scroing to tries, either side of a Jonathan Jones effort which went some way to attoning for some erratic distribution earlier in the game. With Tony Whittaker adding a conversion to an earlier Jon Kerr effort the Warriors were able to sneak home, although they still needed a last ditch tackle from Randall to make sure of the scalp.
The match was follwed by an impressive firework display during which £100 was rasied for the Warriors team who hope to travel to Scotland later in the season.

Warriors XV: Anthony Randell, Joshua Crowther (Neil Parker), Mathew Jones, Alun Stephens, Richard Evans (Tony Whittaker), Jonathan Jones, Jason Cross (Huw Daniels), David Edwards (Colin Talcon), Jason Bennett (James Dew), Huw Jenkins (Martin Smith), John Horwood, Roger Thomas, Jonathan Kerr, Simon Jenkins, Lee Rowlands. Aled Lewis

Tumble: Richard Jones, Emyr, Darren, Gareth Cavil, Jason, Andrew, Ryan Rumbelow, Nolan, Allison, Simon, Endaf Jones, Chris Lloyd, Steve Hewitt, Chris Flint, Kevin Davies, Rhys Lewis, Rhydian Row, Nathan Carile, Enrol Price, Neal Griffiths

Warriors Tries: Alun Stephens, Neil Parker, Martin Smith (2), Jonathan Jones.
Conversions: Jonathan Kerr, Tony Whittaker.

Tumble tries: Richard Jones, Nolan, Endaf Jones, Chris Flint

Man of the match: Huw 'Flash' Jenkins

The return of a number of old favorites; Colin Talcon, Mathew Billo, Tony Wheredyatakeher, Dai Posh, Roger Murphy plus a couple of debuts (Tank and Daniels) helped the Warriors to victory despite the absence of several managment figures (Deano, Chrisp, Gwilym).

With the author again not present a certain amount of guess work has gone into the match and apre match reports. There was much conflicting evidence: Did Jonny Kerr have a pout; Yes loads (Lee R), only one (Jon Kerr), that lasted all match (Lee R), he was in a mega one (Billo), oh Bloody hell (Neil Parker). Neil Parker's running; he was treading water (Lee R), I decided to give Martin a try, I was in the clear (Neil), Ha ha ha (Billo), I had a bad knee (Neil). Sometines the evidence was contary even from the same person, did anyone sing? No - John Horwood (Roger Thomas), was it a hard match? No ot really, they were too rough (Dai Ed). Everyone agreed it was a great day, that the fireworks were good, that it was a good match and that Anthony Randall can tackle.
Robin McBryde endeared himself to the Warriors cause (despite his tight reffing) by bringing along some kit with the result that at a quick glance the Warriors now look as though the feature a number of Wales and Scarlets players. he also managed to help man of the match Huw 'next time' Jenkins to get to grips with the srumaging & asked Cross and Randell why they weren't laying for the Scarlets academy).
It wasn't all good though with a convey of cars and a 'shed of a bus ((c) John Horwood)' ferrying the players about, Block breaking a nose and a rib (possibly) and Parker getting hurt (to go with his hangover) after getting into a ruck (for once).

John Horwood singing Yellow Submarine: