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

seventhseason eigthseason

Presentation Night(s) and Stats 2001/02

There were two presentation nights this season. The Warriors own was held at Stradey and doubled as a leaving do for Leigh Hannah ensuring a large contigent of Warriorettes. Not so impressive was a number of no-shows that left Spike (Hospital) as the main guest. Thanks to Claire and Lesley for the food and James for the disco. As usual everyone escaped to town leaving Moley and Gwilym to listen to James full repitioire which included; Knees up Mother Brown, Roll out the Barrel, we'll be hanging out the washing, The Dads' Army and Merry Christmas Everybody (Grrrreat!)

Carmarthenshire CC Sports Development for Learning Difficulties held their own at which everything was represented anyway. The photos below (by Tim Reiley) are from that. Not pictured are Top Points scorer Dai Spriggs and Sportsman of the Year Mike James. The team also recived the Noel James Memorial award for their efforts across the season.

There are no photos of the team at the Carmarthenshire Sports Awards held at Llandybie RFC where the Warriors were shortlisted in the team and coach of the year categories. The highlight of which was the Llanelli RFC and the Warriors taking the stage together before the winner was announced with much eyeballing and bemused looks.

Various Warriors with various awards

l>r Dai Spriggs, Ed Williams, Dai Newson, Jason Jenkins, Colin Talcon, Roger Thomas, Meredith Pugh, Dai Edwards, Gwilym Lewis

Roger recives Most Improved Player from Llanelli RFC's Bowen Stephens

Roger looks worried at the prospect of living up to the award

John Horwood with the Players' Player award

Jumpin' with trophies

Meredith awarded Player of the year by Bowen Stephens

Celebrating

Meredith Pugh: Player of the year

Results
New Dock Stars, Stradey L37-31
Swansea Gladiators, Stradey W 10-0
Llanelli Hospital, Stradey W 19-5
Betws, Stradey L 29-34
Llanelli Wanderers, Stradey W 48-36
Furnace, Furnace W 38-31
St Clears, St Clears L 29-51
Asda Llanelli, Stradey W 51-5
Llanelli hospital, Stradey L 0-41
Cardiff Saracens, Roath Park W 31-30
Alltwen & Pontadawe Vets, Stradey L 26-64
Cefneithin, Cefneithin W 49-20
Hafan y Coed, Furnace L 15-17
Alltwen & P’dawe Vets, Alltwen L 36-17
Dura Cables, Stradey W 60-22
New Dock Stars, New dock W 35-24

Apperances
John Horwood: second row 15
David Newson: No 8 - 15
Gwilym Lewis: No 7 except 3 at 9 and 1 at 10 - 15
Des Williams: 5 at center, 6 at 10 and 4 at 9 - 14
David Spriggs: Full back, 1 game on wing - 13
Meredith Pugh: wing 13
Stephen Walley: second row 12
Lee Rowlands: wing with 2 at full back, 1 in center - 12
Alun Stephens: center 11
Chris Bonar: prop 10
Roger Thomas: 5 wing, 4 second row, 1 at prop - 10
Jonathan Jones: outside half with 3 games in center - 10
Jason Jenkins: hooker 9
Andrew Evans: prop, 2 games at hooker, 1 at 6 - 9
Chris Hancock: 6 at 6, 2 at 2nd row, 1 at prop - 9
Colin Talcon: 4 at prop, 4 on wing - 8
Lee Jones: center with 2 on wing - 8
Gareth McKibbon: prop - 7
Jonathan Bonar: 2 at prop, 1 at center, 1 at 6 - 4
Chris Spriggs: 2 at 6, 1 at 7, 1 at prop - 4
Paul ‘Picton’ Jones: 2 at 9, 1 at 10 - 3
Lee Dianne: wing and center twice - 3
Adrian Payne: twice prop, 1 2nd row - 3
Alan Taylor: wing 3
Barry Williams: No6 2
Dean Gilasbey: scrum half 2
Jonathan Mayze: center 2
Mathew James: wing/second row 2
John Martin: wing 1
Andrew Russ: prop 1
Mathew Phillips: prop 1
Lee Barber: scrum half 1
Paul Henderson: wing 1

Scorers:
David Spriggs: 24 cons, 2 pens, 5 tries: 79pts
Des Williams: 4 conversions, 9 tries: 53pts
Gwilym Lewis: 7 tries: 35pts
David Newson: 6 tries: 30pts
Jonathan Jones: 6 tries :30pts
Alun Stephens: 5 tries :25pts
Lee Rowlands: 5 tries: 25pts
Lee Jones: 5 tries: 25pts
Meredith Pugh: 1 conversion, 4 tries: 22pts
Jonathan Bonar: 3 tries: 15pts
Stephen Walley: 1 conversion, 2 tries: 12pts
Andrew Evans: 2 tries: 10pts
Paul ‘Picton’ Jones: 2 tries: 10pts
Christopher Bonar: 1 try: 5pts
Jonathan Bonar: 1 try: 5pts
Andrew Russ: 1 try: 5pts
Alan Taylor: 1 try: 5pts
Roger Thomas: 1 try: 5pts

seventhseason

Manchester 'tour': Commonwealth games 7s

There was no official tour as such this season (01/02) however Heol Goffa S.A.C. did arrange a trip to see the Commonwealth 7s. All those on the trip were club members but unfortunatley those not involved with the center were unable to travel. For those lucky enough to go it was a great trip.

There was plenty of build up with marina Collins and Heol Goffa arranging for the Warriors to be properly decked out for the occasion in shirt/tie/blazers/trousers. Cue various trips to Dyfed Meanswear in Cefneithin with much problems sorting out clothes for the various shapes and sizes of the Warriors (Louie, Lee Mole, Bonar and Dai Nusiance being the worst culprits). There was also the ordeal of being personally checked by Marina to see if everything fitted.

The trip itself saw us drive straight to the games and watch the pool stages of the 7s which featured most of the major rugby nations (no France or Ireland). The atmosphere was great although by the time Wales played most people around us had been alienated somewhat by our cheering for whoever was playing e**land. Wales did well enough winning the matches they were meant to (lost to South Africa 12-19) and went out in the plate semi (lost to Australia 7-5). We got treated to several war dances (Fiji, Tonga, New Zealand, Samoa, Niue Islands and the Cook Islands) and some colourful supporters (the Kenya contigent were especially enthusiastic and they gave e**land a good go). It was late by the time we left and the hotel was miles away so there was no chance to sample any nightlife and a 'quiet' evening in the hotel bar was in order.

The next day we spent around Manchester city center and very nice it was. We decided we needed to wear the blazers to justify the time/money/effort put in but whilst everyone looked very smart it was probaly the hottest day of the year. Roger wanted to see the Cathederal which provided an excellent 'see we didn't just go to the pub' photo op, before we went into the pub just round the corner.
We watched (on the big screen) Nicole Cooke winning the Cycling Womens road race and joined in with the anthem when they presented her medal. New Zealand beat Fiji in the 7s.

The trip home was a bit of a slog as the coach had to stop in 3 or 4 services but we got back safe.

The Commonwealth games site has full reviews: cliciwch
The rugby is all here: cliciwch

Warriors tour tip #1: Make friends with the bus driver early

Everyone in their best Welsh red (except Bonar who is sporting a Brazil shirt!!?)

Actually we were the only ones on the bus (almost) who looked like they were going to an international

Meredith, Roger, Gwilym & John at a p stop on the way

enter the Dragon(s)

Stadium: not bad... but no Mileniwm

Flying the flags

Dad, where are the strange men from?

New Zealand playing someone (Canada?)

Welsh team huddle

Welsh team leave (small Welsh/Burry Port flag for Gareth Babs which was opposite us sadly not visable)

Looking the part

bk row l>r: Roger Thomas, Meredith Pugh, John Horwood, Jason Jenkins

frt row l>r: Dai Newson, Chris Bonar, Lewis Jones, Edward Williams

Outside a pub

Inside a pub: Louie actually pays up on a bet he lost with Gwilym!!!

Nice Cathedral (see we didn't just go straight into pubs all day)

Obligitory 'Resevoir Dogs' type foto

OH-Young man!! Shed in action

Who dressed you: Dyfed Menswear advert 2001

Poor Louie tired out

Two down: Bonar crashes out on 'comfy' Dai Nusiance

Three down: Nusiance gives in

seventhseason