Presentation Evening & Stats 2003/04

Back to Stradey Park for this season's pezzie night, specifically the Patrons' Bar. A wonderful new initative was unveiled this season with the intoduction of the Golden Bolas. Winners were presented with a statuette; inspired by a mixture of the Osacrs, Golden Globes, Groggs and Dai Newson.

Top Points Scorer was actually a contest this year and not just given to Dai Spriggs as it had been for the previous 5 seasons. Jon Kerr and Simon jenkins offered alternate kicking opptions and the duties were then shared whilst Jon 'Juice' chipped in when others weren't available. With the kicking duties shared out it gave the try scorers a chance to make an impact and Richard Evans made the most of this, his 5 tries earning him second spot in the point scoring stakes, ahead of Spriggs, Juice and Kerr. Only Simon scored more points endind with 32; 6 conversion, 1 penalty and 3 tries. 4 players scored 4 tries: Meredith Pugh, Dai Newson, Alun Stephens and Alan Taylor.

Most Improved Player saw Colin Talcon edge out Jason Jenkins. Both players had great seasons but Colin was in the given the nod.

Sportsman of the Year went to Richard Evans who not only was top try scorer but was always happy to play wherever he was asked. He was keen to learn new skills and kept his enthusiasm high across the season.

Players' Player, as ever voted for by the players themselves (3 apperances qualifies a player to vote) saw veteran Dai Newson re claim the title he had previously won in 1997/98 and 98/99.

Before the Player of the Year was announced there was a mini kicking competition between dai spriggs: the veteran 'Golden Boot' and the two new young guns: Jon Kerr and Simon Jenkins. Louie officated and I don't think anyone can remeber who won.

There was also a presentation to retireing hooker Edward Williams. Ed made 44 apperances for the club setting record for Hooker (23) and front row (43). His other apperance was at 6 and he played touch rugby for the club twice. He Captained the club on their 1st ever tour (Teignmouth) and after a memorable Welsh trip was the 1st Warriors to benefit from th old cliche: "What goes on tour stays on tour".

The final presentation was suitably for Player of the Year and it was made to Dai Newson. To cap an excellent season Dai became the 1st player to win Player of the Year and Players Player in the same season and the 1st player to regain the Player of the Year trophy (which he had won in 2000/01)

Is it an Oscar, is it Dai Newson...No it's a new Golden Bola

Nice eh? Who wouldn't want one!

Simon Jenkins collects the 1st ever Golden Bola for Top Points Scorer

Skipper Jason Jenkins hands Col his award for Most Improved

Colin looks pleased (suprise suprise)

Richard Evs gets Sportsman

well deserved

Dai collects Players' Player

"Where am I going to put this one?"

Ed Williams moving quicker than he has done on any rugby fields recently

A couple of hookers

Changing of the guard as veteran hooker finally makes way for Jas to take on the roll full time

What a likeness

"Shit Jas, what comes next???"

Kicking comp

(small pictures as these boys get too much publicity anyway)

Simon: looks good

Kerr: hoping for a cross wind??

Spriggs steps up

Miles off, no wonder he wasn't in the running this season

Pressure gets to Simon

Better from Jon

Looks good from Freebie

Louie's already given this one!

Jonny Kerr's 'Ohhh Ducky' technique

Final shot for Golden Boot Spriggs

Er...spot the ball

Another trophy for Dai

"What likness?!?"

Nusiance notches Warrior honour #632

Where did they get the Bola inspiration from??

The Winners: (l>r) Colin Talcon, Simon Jenkins, Dai Newson, Richard Evans

And the losers, oops, sori Warriors: (l>r) Jason Jenkins, Dai Newson, Darren Davies, Richard Evans (front), Meredith Pugh, Lee Rowlands, Dai Edwards, Jon Kerr, Colin Talcon, Tony Whittaker, Alan Taylor, Dai Spriggs, Gwilym Lewis, Simon Jenkins, Craig James, Gary James, Chris Bonar, Chris Hancock, Edward Williams

So ended another tidy night: The following report is how it was presented to the Press and appeared in the usual places.

Warriors Presentation night.

David Newson was toast of the Llanelli Warriors Presentation evening, becoming the 1st player in the club’s 9-year history to win both the top prizes of Players’ player and Player of the year. The number 8 scooped two of the club’s new ‘Golden Bola’ trophies after another impressive season. As well as becoming the 1st player to win both awards he is the 1st player to regain the Player of the year title.
New recruits made their mark with Simon Jenkins registering as top points scorer edging out Dai Spriggs who had won it for the previous 5 seasons. Richard Evans, who finished up being top try scorer was named Sportsman of the year. Most improved player was Colin Talcon who successfully moved from wing to prop, developing throughout the year.
There were also a presentation of a caricature to retiring hooker Ed Williams who is hanging up his boots having set a club records for appearances in the front row. At the other end of the spectrum, t shirts were presented to the 4 players; Jenkins, Evans, Jonathan Kerr and Alan Taylor who had completed their 1st full season.
The Warriors 9th season was a mixed bag with a final return of 6 wins and 6 defeats but that doesn’t tell the whole story. Only once were they heavily beaten and a general improvement over the season that saw them win 5 of their last 6 matches. With a number of new players coming through and several special events, they look well set for their landmark 10th anniversary. Captain Jason Jenkins summed up the mood when after a memorable speech he stated “We can’t wait!”

STATS

Llanelli Hospital Stradey L 5-27
Swansea Gladiators Stradey L 5-40
Betws JSP Betws L 39-36
New Dock Stars Stradey W 45-12
Llanelli Hospital Stradey L 21-26
New Dock Stars JSP New Dock L 17-10
Penybanc Penybanc W 31-26
Betws Betws W 27-17
Cefneithin Cefneithin W 39-25
Swansea Gladiators St Helens L 19-31
New Dock Stars JSP Stradey W 36-30
Kwik Save Crosshands Stradey W 29-27


Appearances:
David Newson 12 (all 8)
Gwilym Lewis 12 (10 at 7, 2 at 9)
Colin Talcon 11 (all prop)
Roger Thomas 11 (all 2nd row)
John Horwood 11 (all 2nd row)
Meredith Pugh 11 (wing except 1 at 15)
Lee Rowlands 11 (6 at center, 2 at 15, 6, 14 & 4)
Richard Evans 10 (9 on wing, 2 at prop)
Jason Jenkins 9 (all hooker)
Jonathan Jones 9 (all outside half)
Alun Stephens 9 (8 at center, 1 at 10)
David Spriggs 9 (all at 15)
David Edwards 8 (5 at prop, 2 on wing, 1 at 15)
Simon Jenkins 8 (6 at 6, 2 at prop)
Chris Spriggs 7 (3 at 6, 2 at 2, 1 prop, 1 at 7)
Chris Bonar 6 (prop)
Alan Taylor 6 (4 wing, 2 prop)
Jonathan Kerr 6 (2 wing, 2 prop, 2 2nd row)
Dean Gilasbey 6 (2 at 9, 2 at center, 2 at 10)
Chris Hancock 5 (4 at prop, 1 at hooker)
Tony Whittaker 5 (4 at wing, 1 at prop, 1 at 15)
Lee Barber 5 (scrum half)
Mike James 4 (prop, hooker, 9, ?)
Darren Davies 4 (prop)
Adam ‘Cochyn’ Painter 4 (3 full back, 1 center)
Anthony Bonar 3 (6, center, hooker)
Jonathan Bonar 3 (center)
Paul Louchor 2 (prop, 6)
Lee Louchor 2 (center, 6)
Steve Holloway 2 (6, 2nd row)
Mathew ‘Billo’ Jones 2 (wing)
Adrian Payne, prop
Des Williams, 9
Darren Thomas, wing
Alun Howells, center
Lee CHF (Chris Hancock's friend), prop
Simon Bevan, prop
Gary James, 6
Richard Griffiths, 9
Lee Collings, center
Mark Lewis, center
Mathew Rees, center
Paul Herbert, center
John Davies, center
CHF, 7

Scorers:
Simon Jenkins: 6 cons, 1 pen, 3 tries: 32 points
Richard Evans: 5 tries: 25 points
Jon Kerr: 7 cons, 2 tries: 24
Jon Jones: 5 cons, 3 tries: 23
Meredith Pugh: 4 tries: 20 points
Alan Taylor: 4 tries: 20 points
Dai Newson: 4 tries: 20 points
Alun Stephens: 4 tries: 20 points
Gwilym Lewis: 3 tries: 15 points
Lee Barber: 2 tries: 10 points
David Edwards: 2 tries: 10 points
Tony Whittaker: 2 tries: 10 points
Dai Spriggs: 2 cons, 1 penalty: 7
Anthony Bonar: 1 try: 5 points
John Davies: 1 try: 5 points
John Horwood: 1 try: 5 points
Jonathan Bonar: 1 try: 5 points
Mark Lewis: 1 try: 5 points
Christopher Spriggs: 1 try: 5
Richard Griffiths: 1 try: 5 points
Paul Herbert: 1 try: 5 points
Lee Rowlands: 1 try: 5 points
Adam Cochyn: 1 try: 5 points

ninthseason