Llanelli Warriors RFC Off Field: May 2006

Immediatley after the Warriors' 12th and final match of the 05/06 season players and supporters moved on to the Warriors new base: The Cambrian in Seaside for the annual presentation evening. The last minute nature of arrangments and the awful weather probaly put some off but the pub was crowded with expectant fans waiting to see who would win a coverted 'Golden Bola'

Scarlets Prop Phil John, fresh from his man of the match performance against Ulster was guest of honour and gave out the various trophies;
There was a medal for all players to have made 3 or more apperances, pints for players who made their Warriors debuts this season and there should have been a t-shirt for Bloc but Pictons didn't have enough material in stock.
The 1st award was the greedy bastard award for top points scorer. Tony Whittaker came 3rd with 26 points (2 tries, 6 conversions and 1 penalties), last years winner Jon Kerr bagged 37 points (5 tries, 6 conversions) but Simon Jenkins regained his title with a grand total of 53 points (6 tries, 7 conversions and 3 penalties)

The nominations for Most Improved Player were: Jason 'Bloc' Bennett who under expert tuition from Betws coach Bolan learnt to put one leg further back than the other in the scrums. Gareth Mckibbon who returned to the rugby field after a lengthy lay off, David Edwards who brought more aggression to the front row (although a bit too much against Barry Barrians), Roger Thomas, whose rucking was a feature of the season and Tony Whittaker who continues to develop as a rugby player. David Edwards was eventually chosen.

Sportsman of the year, awarded for spirit, conduct and effort saw Bloc, Paul JCB Davies, Mathew 'Billo' Jones and Chris Spriggs all nominated for their off field help in addition to an excellent attitude alongside Jumpin' John Horwood who (again) didn't miss a game and set a new club apperance record (114 and counting). Chris Spriggs was chosen as the eventual winner (possibly because of the morning field insepction he had carried out that day)

Players' Player of the year was voted for by all players with 3+ apperances (who could be arsed) and polling significant numbers were Jason Jenkins, Jon Kerr, Meredith Pugh and Roger Thomas but the winner was Simon Jenkins.

The next presentations were made to retiring players: David Spriggs and David Newson. Between them they had reset all scoring and apperance records, Captained the club 4 times and 10 awards. Both had been shortlisted for Carmarthenshire awards. In their honour the Warriors 'Hall of fame' was (finally) set up, check it out HERE

Before player of the year was announced the Club represented itself with the two trophies it had picked up over the term. The Saracens Brave Herts became the 1st touring side to visit the Llanelli Warriors, but more than that they are the only 'Challenge' rugby side in england. Played on the weekend of the international the Warriors extra experience (it was the Saracens 2nd ever match) told and despite some rousing forward play from the visitors the Warriors triumphed (check it out HERE)The other trophy was the Challenge Shield, played for for over 10 years by the Swansea Gladiators and the Llanelli Warriors. The Warriors edged a hard fought encounter 7-5 (HERE for review) to win it for the 1st time in 5 attempts, thus denying the Jacks a new record. coupled with the win over the South Auckland Kiwis in June, it meant that the Warriors could justifiably claim to be : "Probaly the best Challenge rugby side in the world"

Player of the year nominations were: Jason Jenkins whose accuracy at the lineout was a notable feature all season, Simon jenkins who stepped in Dai Newson's shoes as No8 and excelled. His all round game was good and the Warriors suffered when he wasn't available. Andrew John, the center was excellent in attack and defence throughout the season (scarletfever excepted) and formed effective partnerships with the various outside halfs and co centers he played with. Roger Thomas, as Captain led from the front. his tackling and rucking helped bring a physical edge to the Warriors pack and he improved the teams 'go forward' considerably. Tony Whittaker put in a number of strong running displays on the wing and on occasion his defence was also fantastic. There were plenty of candidates at the end of a successful season but these were the chosen few and in the end Roger Thomas was chosen for the ultimate honour.

Landlady Val reciveied a beautiful bunch of expensive flowers from the Warriors and a cheap little bottle of wine from the Cambrian team. The Warriors used the Cambrian as a base this season and it was a great success, Diloch i Rob a Val.

Finally louie started pouting and we eventually worked out it was because he hadn't had his medal so phil had to come back and give it to him. To be fair to the eared one, he turned up for every game despite our best efforts to abuse him and the Warriors wouldn't be the same without his smiling cherub face!

The rest of the evening was spent worrying about work on Monday, promising to get fit for next season, arguing about who was the best player, discussing where tour should go etc. With work the next day looming large the only ones to get disgracefully drunk were Billo, Parker, Leslie and birthday girl Tracey. The following photos demonstrate this and there will be more once they come in from the various mobile phones and such like.