The day started well when Lewi kicked off with quote of the day
Lee – so you’ve already had a pint then Lew
Lew – No! I’ve only had 2 halves
Went down from there tho. A petrol crisis saw the bus having to free wheel the hills of the Amman Valley (sorry Tim). Got to Betws and we just scrapped a XV thanks to Mike Minimi from Gwlad/Newport going back to get his kit but then Betws only managed 9 players so Rich hapus was despatched to Betws duty – somehow gaining the captaincy in the process.
Seth Jones was eventually prized away from the bar and looked resplendent in willies as he reffed the game with the same skill and knowledge as he plays it with.
As ever for Betws games Gwilym was given a hard time by Richie Griff & Cell in the Betws back row and Lee Rowlands played at 10 meaning he has now played 12 of the 13 positions in the team.
Big Al got injured 1st minute, Bloc followed although he did at least have the decency to score before hurting his toe, Lee also hurt his knee and so it was left to a small handful to carry on the good work. Jon Kerr edged Simon out for on field strop of the day, Rob Hughes led the playing and set a new record for all but missing a conversion. Darren Pretty Polly put in some excellent tackling and Nathan, Tony and Josh all did well in the backs. Jon Kerr developed a ‘if we’re defending I’m injured/if we might score I’m ok’ policy (due to a blister!!!), Will ‘Big Dadi’ Brown did well at hooker and even rucked sometimes while John Horwood ruled the line out.
Anyway the match report (official) is here:
Depleted Warriors hang on for victory
Despite both sides being ravaged by injuries and withdrawals both before and during the game Betws and the Llanelli Warriors served up a great appetiser for the game at Twickenham that followed.
Defying the boggy conditions underfoot both sides endeavoured to move the ball at every opportunity resulting in a fast game that left pulses racing.
The home side’s strength was its quick backline and they drew first blood when Mathew Rees went over but the Warriors forwards were in uncompromising mood and they came back when Jason Bennett went over for a score. Unfortunately Bennett injured his toe in the process and couldn’t continue. Betws hit back when good hands from Roberts and Underwood that saw veteran Mark Rewston score as the action moved from end to end. With Horwood and Talcon busy for the Warriors and Will Brown leading some effective rucking they made good yards up the field. Eventually Warriors outstanding No 8 Rob Hughes broke clear to score under the posts and quickly converted to give the Warriors a lead that held to the break.
Both sides had plenty of opportunity in the second half, Pollitt and Lawson put in some big hits for the Warriors and whilst Gwilym Lewis probably edged his scrum half battle with Owen Williams it was despite great pressure for Betws back row tear-aways; Cellan Davies and Richard Griffiths.
Losing the effective running of Alun Stephens and Lee Rowlands didn’t help the Warriors cause and Rhys Williams rammed home the Betws dominance of this period with a classy effort. Mathew Rees got a second try but let himself down with some poor options that should have resulted in team scores. Let off the hook the Warriors hit back, Mike Minimi made the hard yards before Tony Whittaker capped some strong running with a deserved try. A Jon Kerr conversion left the Warriors 7 points clear but a rash decision to go for a penalty when time was up turned disastrous when Betws stormed up field and Rees touched down under the posts.
Rees stepped up to take the conversion but in a personal performance which despite a hatrick could only best be described as mixed he fluffed the conversion leaving the Warriors to claim victory by the slightest of margins.
Betws: Gareth Underwood, Mathew Rees, Rhys Williams, Richard Evans, Colin Talcon, Owen Williams, Cellan Davies, Paul Roberts, Mark Rewston, Gareth Lewis,
Llanelli Warriors: Joshua Crowther, Tony Whittaker, Alun Stephens, Nathan Lawson, Darren Pollitt, Lee Rowlands, Gwilym Lewis, Jason Bennett, Colin Talcon, Richard Evans, John Horwood, Mike Minimi , Simon Jenkins (Cpt), Robert Hughes, Jonathan kerr
Ref: Seth Jones
Scorers:
Warriors tries: Jason Bennett, Rob Hughes, Tony Whittaker, Simon Jenkins, Joshua Crowther
Conversions: Rob Hughes, Tony Whittaker, Jonathan Kerr, Simon Jenkins
Betws tries: Mathew Rees (3), Rhys Williams, Mark Rewston
Conversion: Mathew Rees
Man of the Match: Joshua Crowther
After the game there was some debate over the score. Betws & Seth had Warriors 29, Betws 27, Warriors claimed 33 points and Lewi had Warriors 33 Betws 12! Anyway we’re writing the history so we’ll go for OUR score. Joshua Crowther also scored a try and was named Man of the Match.
After match as well as the national disaster of Wales losing to e**land (who’d have thought it was illegal to kick e**lish people) The Warriors descended into a bit of Jeremy Kyle, just for the record I don’t care who is calling who names over which girlfriend and its not my job to tell you when food is on. Lewis put in for top strop but it was close with Kerr, Will and Simon all having a shot. Dion bach won kiss catch (LEWI!!!! called him a 'dirty old man') and eventually we all got through the wilds of Llanedi home safe to Llanelli!
Photos are HERE on the main site
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