David Played 85 games for the Warriors, mainly at full back but also appeared on the wing and in the center. he was top points scorer for 5 consecutive seasons from 1998/99 to 2002/03. he was the 1st Warriors to make 50 and then 100 points in a season and is the only Warrior to have scored over 400 points (406). He was named runner up in Carmarthenshire Sports Awards as Disabled Sportsman of the Year in 2000.
Other records set/held by David:
Most apperances in the backs
Conversions in a match/season/overall,
Most penalties in a match/season/overall,
Most drop goals in a match/season/overall.
Most points in a match/season.
He made his debut in Burry Port kicking a single conversion at the tail end of the 97/98 season and his final game was back at the memorial field and another conversion in the 1st match of 2005/06. Unfortunatley he was forced to sit out the remainder of the season through injury and illness. Although typically he wouldn't fully accept it, medical advice was that his leg would never be good enough for rugby again and despite a defiant 'I'm only resting' Dai accepted a framed picture to mark his retirment at the club's presentation night in May. Having completed a sports leaders course he had already done some coaching and was looking to continue this. Dai was nick named 'Freebie' by the Llanelli/Scarlets players who often contriubted items to his excellent collection of training kit.
David may have had a physical and learning difficulty but he never let this effect him and he lived life to the full. he didn't attend day centers or suchlike, but got stuck into life. he worked at Hafan y Coed nursing home and like all good young Welshmen was into beer, women and rugby. For those who have to work with terms like 'normalisation' Dai was the embodiment of it. he was out there in the mix, one of the boys. Anyone who knew him would tell you he could be (like many others) hard work at times but David was definatley one of the good guys.
He played 19 times alongside his father and only let Mike outscore him once. He played touch and 7s for the Warriors and came on the club's 1st tours to Teignmouth and Southend. He was always up for a game and whenever he had to sub a half for the Warriors would immediatley see if the other team would let him play. Consequently as well as playing for the Warriors and LLanelli Hospital he also made cameos for Turnstyle XV, Burry Port, Cefneithin and more. he played 7s for Betws and despite coping some 'hospital' passess and the subsequent big hits finnished as their top scorer. he even kicked goals for Llanelli at Rupert Moon's testimonial. Dai had plenty of 'heart' and 'dog' when he played and perhaps his finest hour was at St. Helens against the Warriors big rivals the Swansea Gladiators. Challenge Shield matches were always tough away from home and the Warriors were a scratch side on the day. they played above themselves to make a game of it and despite the defeat were able to maintain pride. Dai did kick well but it was his tackling and attitude that stood out and he was named man of the match by the Gladiators team.
Off field memories include him being sick in Betws (and Mike having to clean up), trying to muscle in on Chris Bonar's woman in Southend and in Cefneithin after some traditional hymn singing bringing the tone down with a loud chorus of 'Chariots'
He was the 1st Warrior to get yellow carded. A typical 'competetive' match against ASDA XV Rupert Moon made his much heralded ref debut and was reluctantly forced to send Dai from the field for continued handbags. Rupert decided from this incident that reffereeing wasn't for him.
He may be remembered as a kicking machine (having been coached by Frano Botica) but he also scored numerous tries. Mostly though he will be just remebered, whether it was shouting, pouting, dancing, drinking, fighting, singing, coaching, playing - Dai was out there doing it.
His funeral was the biggest the presiding father had seen and included players and representatives from the Warriors, Gladiators, New Dock Stars, Cefneithin, Burry Port, Betws, Llanelli, Scarlets and more. His bearers were all Scarlets players and his flowers included a No15 Jersey and Welsh flag. His ashes were later spread on Stradey park where he spent so much of his life. the Warriors are curremtly arranging a memorial game and will be retireing the No15 jersey this coming season.
Read more Here and Here
The following press cutting are from the Llanelli Star whilst the photos were taken over the 10 years David played for the Warriors.
Photo above: Dai Playing against Llanelli Hospital, below are a selection of photos of dai on and off the field with the Warriors....
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