Warriors 7s (11/8/02)

It has long been an ambition of the Warriors to hold a 7 a side tournament but the first attempt ended up being a touch 5s so it took until this season; 2002, to finally sort one.

various sides were invited but not quite so many turned up, six to be exact. Betws, Llanelli Hospital, Penybanc, Llanelli Wanderers, Cardiff Saracens and of course Llanelli Warriors all did battle for the rather fine trophy. It was particularly tough for Betws who had had the annual players trip the night before and turned up short. Dai Spriggs (as ever) quickly volunteered to play for them, and Gwilym Lewis had to do double duty playing for the Warriors and Betws.

In the 'Group of Death' (It's compulsary to have one isn't it?) finished: 1) Penybanc, 2) Betws, 3) Cardiff Saracens. Paul Rees probaly still goes on about his chip n chase try but most people remeber poor Dai Spriggs on the end of some shocking Cellan Davies Hospital passes. Dai was still top scorer for Betws though, with 4 conversions. penybanc won the Amman Valley derby match 29-0

Llanelli Wanderers preictably saw off the Hospital who also beat the Warriors in the other group.

The Warriors and Saracens decided to play a very friendly 5th/6th play off which resulted in a 19 all draw when Gwilym threw a pass which his brother Owain intercepted to score.

Llanelli Hospital beat Penybanc 19-0 in one semi while the Wanderers beat Betws 43-0 in the other.

In the final the Wanderers predictably beat the Hospital side and in the end ran up a big score: 54-0


Warriors results in full:
Warriors 0 Llanelli Hospital 21 (3 converted tries)
Warriors: Lee Rowlands, Gwilym Lewis, David Newson (cpt), Jonathan Jones, Mike James (Chris Spriggs), Alun Stephens (Meredith Pugh), John Horwood (Roger Thomas)

Warriors 19 Llanelli Wanderers 40 (6 tries, 5 conversions)
Warriors: Dai Newson (cpt), Lee Rowlands (John Horwood), Gwilym Lewis, Jon Jones, Roger Thomas, Chris Spriggs, Meredith Pugh (Colin Talcon).
Tries: Newson (2), Rowlands
Conversions: Jones (3)

Warriors 19 Cardiff Saracens 19 (3 tries 2 conversions)
Warriors: Darren Davies (Meredith Pugh), Jason Jenkins (Colin Talcon), Gwilym Lewis, Dai Newson (cpt), Roger Thomas (Lee Rowlands), Chris Spriggs, Jonathan Jones.
Tries: 3
Conversions: 2

Dai Spriggs played 3 games for Betws scoring 4 conversions

Gwilym Lewis played twice for Betws

The Wanderers were coached by sometime Warrior Jon Mayze

The 1st ever Warriors 7s squad

bck l>r: Edward Williams, Roger Thomas, Lee Rowlands, John Horwood, Gwilym Lewis, Jonathan Jones, Mike James.

frt l>r Colin Talcon, Meredith Pugh, Dai Newson, Jason Jenkins, Chris Spriggs, Darren Davies

It was a bit of a blow when 3 of the team got injured in the 1st match

Cellan Davies feels the effects of the previous day's players' trip next to Emyr Tim and Juice

Dai Spriggs in Betws shirt alongside Arwel Davies

Lineout action between Cardiff Sarries and Warriors (John Horwood scared of ball!)

Saracens again get line out ball

Lee Rowlands looks for support

But tacklers fall off and he runs in a try

Colin Talcon leads the Warriors off after securing joint 5th (out of 6th)

To be fair it was the 1st 7s experience for most of the Warriors squad. They lost 3 key members in the 1st game and both finalists came from their group. They gave eventual winners the Wanderers their closest game.

Dai Newson presents the Wanderers with the trophy

Review from Guardian with emphasis on Penybanc, Betws and Glanaman brothers

Review for Star: as ever the reviews were designed to give the impression of a bigger tournament

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