Presentaion Night 10th season, Golden Bolas & Stats

A packed Carwyn James Suite at Stradey Park paid tribute to the players at the club's annual presentation night. Salesi Finau was the nights guest and there was even a video presentation of the nominees and winners (after a few technical hitches). The awards were presented after the match against the Opposition Select XV and didn't take into consideration the club's subsequent tour of New Zealand. Anyway...on with the awards...

Top Points scorer was Jonathan Kerr

Most improved player was Tony Whittaker

Sportsman of the year was Dai Ed

Players' Player of the year was Jon Kerr

Player of the year went to Simon Jenkins who was unable to make the presentations and didn't even send a video message thanking everyone!!

There was a special presentation for Dai newson who became the 1st player to make 100 apperances. The fact that they were consecutive was also mentioned. John Horwood made his 99th apperance against the Opposition Select so also got a mention.

Finally Leslie got her annual bumnch of flowers and snog for doing the food - at least this year she got to cwtch a rugby player and not some old dignitary.

Warriorettes class of 2005: Gemma Chapman, Lisa Folkes, Pauline Evans, Claire Darkins, Natalie Rees, Caroline Griffiths.

As ever there was a big move into town afterwards with several of the Oppo XV joining the Warriors in a general assualt on Tom Pepps/Bar Luna(tic) and quite a few stories for the Warriors blackmail fundraising committee to use.

Review as sent to press:

Warriors Golden Bola awards night.

The Warriors finished their season off recently with their ‘Golden Bola’ presentation evening. The Warriors 10th season has been remarkable and although it won’t be completely over until after the New Zealand tour there was much to celebrate.
The club, who include players with learning difficulties, finally got some recognition outside Llanelli with two television programmes and an extensive feature in Rugby World magazine. As a result there are now two new sides looking to set up in England where they will be the 1st of their kind.
Back home the Warriors passed a number of landmarks and set several new club records. They played 20 fixtures against 17 different opponents and visited more grounds than ever before. They played their 100th match at Betws and remarkably David Newson played his 100th game for the club just 2 games later at Burry Port.
It’s been a fantastic year said Coach Gwilym Lewis. On field the games have been very enjoyable and it was important to play at places teams like Tumble and Pontyberem for the 1st time. We had a great Past v Present match followed by a players reunion and the interest in the side has grown. We’ve set up our own web site (www.llanelliwarriors.co.uk) and attracted a record amount of sponsorship. We’ve also managed to spread the concept of rugby players with learning difficulties across the border and hopefully next season we will have some Anglo-Welsh fixtures of our own. I think we have now managed to establish the club on the local scene and put down some strong roots for the benefit of future years.
Special guest for the award night was Scarlets and Tonga center Salesi Finau and 1st up for an award was Top Point scorer Jonathan Kerr. Jon scored a record 20 tries and set a new season best of 134 points. Simon Jenkins also scored 100 points, the 1st time two players had reached 3 figures.
Most improved Player was Tony Whittaker who, in his 1st full season with the club was also short listed for Players’ Player and Player of the year award. The winger showed plenty of skill in both attack and defence whilst developing his game rapidly.
Sportsman of the year went to Prop David Edwards for his tremendous attitude to the game on and off the field.
The Players own award went to Jonathan Kerr who narrowly polled more votes than several rivals.
The Player of the Year though, went to Simon Jenkins whose storming runs were often commented on by opponents. He brought an aggressive edge to the team, excelled in defence and even demonstrated a cultured boot when required. Still young enough to develop much further, it is hoped he will be a leading light in the coming seasons.
With a full decade of experience behind them, the ground breaking team next head to Auckland for their New Zealand tour. They will host an invitation 7s tournament in August before embarking on their 11th season of rugby.

Appearances 2004-05 (NZ tour apperances in brackets)

David Newson 19 (3) 21
John Horwood 18 (3) 21
Roger Thomas 18
Colin Talcon 17 (3) 20
Simon Jenkins 17
Richard Evans 16 (3) 19
Tony Whittaker 16 (3) 19
Gwilym Lewis 16 (3) 19
Meredith Pugh 16
Jon Kerr 15 (3) 18
Jason Jenkins 15 (3) 18
Paul Davies 14
Dean Gilasbey 14 (3) 18
Jon Jones 14
Dai Edwards 14 (3) 17
Alan Stephens 13 (3) 16
Dai Spriggs 13
Mike James 12
James Davies 12
Alan Taylor 11
Lee Rowlands 10 (3) 13
Mathew Jones 9
Andrew John 9 (3) 12
Chris Bonar 7
Lee Barber 6
Kev Procter 4
Chris Spriggs 4
Darren Davies 3 (3) 6
James Howells 2
Phil Williams 2
Jo Polson 2
Adam Painter 2
Adrian Payne 2
Des Williams 2
Anthony Bonar 2
Jon Bonar 2
Robert Roberts 2 (3) 5
Carl Thomas 1
Mike Charles 1
Neil Parker 1
Andrew Green 1
Steve Holloway 1
Craig Oag 1
Gary James 1 (3) 4
Richard Griffiths 1
Wayne Comley 1

Ian Marshall (3)

Bernard Gittings (3)

Rhys Beasley (2)

Mathew Watts (1)

Sion 'Kiwi' (1)

Reke 'S.A.K.' (1)

Rhys 'S.A.K.' (1)

Scorers

Jonathan Kerr 137 (20 tries, 17 conversions, 1 penalty) + tour 17 (try & 6 conversions) 154

Simon Jenkins 101 (11 tries, 20 conversions, 2 penalties)

James Davies 65 (all tries)
Jonathan Jones 50 (all tries)

Andrew John 35 (all tries)

David Newson 35 (all tries) + 5 (try) 40

Meredith Pugh 31 (4 tries, 2 conversions)

Roger Thomas 30 (all tries)

Alan Taylor 25 (all tries)

Richard Evans 25 (all tries) + 5 (try) 30

Tony Whittaker 22 (2 tries, 2 conversions, 1 penalty) + 2 (conversion) 24

Mathew Jones 20 (all tries)

Gwilym Lewis 15 (tries)

Dean Gilasbey 15 (tries)

Colin Talcon 15 (tries) + 5 (try) 20

Lee Rowlands 10 (tries) + 15 (3 tries) 25

Lee Barber 10 (tries)

Dai Spriggs 10 (conversions)

1 try:

Robert Roberts + 10 (2 tries) 15

Anthony Bonar

Paul JCB Davies

James Howells

Chris Bonar

Chris Spriggs

David Edwards + 5 (try) 10

Kevin Procter

tour only:

Ian Marshall 15 (tries)

Rhys Beasley 13 (2 tries & drop goal)

Alun Stephens 5 (try)

tenthseason