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2 I R L O L M E Y T N A L L

R Y Sunday 17th December 2017 W

L Athletic RFC E F Y H R

Rhaglen £2 Programme 1

Personal Player sponsorship is still available

Ask committee for details

2 Last time out: Warriors 15 25 Llanishen 26/11/17

Tough Day for Tired Warriors

Llanishen say goodbye to USK road in style.

A Warriors side rather depleted the day after a hard match and heavy night, still played a full part in this entertaining game that helped Llanishen end their time at USK road before moving on to a purpose built 3G pitch next season.

With 6 last minute withdrawals the Warriors had to reshuffle. Gwilym moving to scrum half at such moments has become standard but also moving out of the pack were Nathan Lawson at 13 and Jordan Jones at 14.

Llanishen fielded a combined XV of 1sts and 2nds and set abut enjoying themselves. Cross kicks and ambitious passes were the order of the day but stout defence and some lapses frustrated them for most of the game. The Warriors dominated at times and the pack worked hard in rumbling forwards with Jenkins, Mark Lewis, Dai Haines and Richard Evans all going strong and man of the match Tomos Hall hitting ruck after ruck.

Llanishen never looked like losing and crossed for 5 fine tries as they showed off their full range of skills. The Warriors got on the board in the 1st half when the elusive Andrew Davies wriggled through.

The 2nd half was closer with Ben Winstanley turning through a pile of bodies and right at the death Davies followed up a scrum half break to bag his 2nd try.

Conversions could have made the score closer but there were no complaints from the Warriors over the result.

The End of the Road for the ground then but the Warriors keep marching on.

Warriors: Simon Day, Dan John, Nathan Laswson, Ben Winstanley, Jordan Jones, Jamie Evans, Gwilym Lewis, Mark Lewis, Richard Evans (Cpt), John Horwood (Darren Pollitt), Andrew Davies, Dai Haines, Simon Jenkins, Tomos Hall.

Ref: Marc Wakeham

The day after the night before, a chilly day spent at Usk Road chatting to ex Warriors Mike Seignot and sorting out who had made it and who had drunkenly gone back to Llanelli and wouldn’t make the game.

Even those that took the field were struggling; Jordan playing with what turned out to be a broken hand, Polly struggling through the pain of a bad ankle and Ben Princess having to leave the field.

Apart from the rugby and the cold there was a fair amount of traipsing about and not a lot of food, even missing the buffet at Scrum V. Still looking back it was a great achievement to play the Chiefs first match and spend the international day in Cardiff, go back up and help Llanishen sign off on their old ground and visit Scrum V. Congratulations to Llanishen, not only on the win, but also signing off at Usk Road in such style, good luck with the new 3G pitch next season.

Shame the interview didn’t quite come off but the producers have been in touch, they sent their apologies and are looking to have us back on during the 6 Nations.

All the photos, stats and a report are on the club’s website www.llanelliwarriors.co.uk

3 Llanelli Warriors’ Results and Fixtures 2017/18 Day Date Month Opponents and notes

Sat 5 August Burry Port W 19 26 Sat 19 August South Police Falcons L 56 32 Sun 10 September Swansea Vikings L 7 55 Sun 17 September WRU Community Select L 35 34 Sun 8 October Aberavon Green Stars L 32 27 Sun 15 October Betws W 53 54 Sat 11 November Pantyffynnon W 29 31 Sat 25 November Cardiff Chiefs L 24-22 Sun 26 November Llanishen L 15-25 Sun 17 December WRU Community Select Sat 26 December Betws Sat 31 December Burry Port Sat 10 Feb London Welsh (Tour) (Wales england) Sun 24 Feb Trinity Primary Ed (Wales Ireland) Sun 11 March Cefneithin (Wales Italy) Swansea Gladiators, Croeserw, Bumble Bee Barbarians 7s and touch tournaments

For all appearance records and statistics visit www.llanelliwarriors.co.uk

Ability Rugby International: Championship Winners 2015/16 4 AbilityCarmarthenshire Rugby International Team – See of thethe Facebook Year 2017 page Croeso Mawr ichi gyd

Croeso i Caerfyrddin, welcome to Carmarthen and the Warriors 1st ever match in the town. We are very pleased to be here at the Athletic club today and thank them for the use of their excellent facilities. We enjoyed training in the Barn recently and look forward to taking the field here and trying out the clubhouse! We would also like to thank the WRU for fixture today. The support of the WRU in the last two seasons has been exceptional, not just to the Warriors, but to the concept of mixed ability rugby. In Cardiff we have seen them heavily involved in the establishment of the Chiefs to the point that Ryan Jones even played in the games. Here in the Scarlets region Dai Arthur has taken an interest in our club since coming into post and attended several matches. We would like to thank him for this support.

As always we like to welcome the ref without whom there wouldn’t be a game. Both Nigel Owen and Jonathan Hardy have officiated for the Warriors previously, and Jonathan even featured again Tumble.

It was Dai who joined up the work Darren Carew was doing in local schools with the Warriors. Today’s 2nd training session for SEN children gives them the chance to see the Warriors 1st hand and establish where they can take their newly acquired rugby skills. The Warriors and Burry Port RFC would be very interested in these sessions continuing long term if enough interest can be generated. Last time we welcomed Ryan and James to their 1st Warriors session so this venture has already been a success for us.

Congratulations to all the players who featured for the Warriors in Cardiff recently. 2 games in Cardiff in two days was some achievement, and to also take in the international and visit Scrum V made it a very special occasion. They weren’t just any games either with it being the Chiefs 1st match and Llanishen celebrating moving ground. Though we lost both matches, the players did themselves proud and I would like to thank them all for their commitment. Congratulations to John Horwood who took the Warriors appearance record to 251 against Llanishen.

Thanks also to all who came to the club’s December Disco this week, a great way to start the Christmas celebrations, the next one will be January 12th at RFC.

Our next fixture will be a festive one: Betws on Boxing day with early kick off before Scarlets v and then on New Year’s Eve we play Burry Port in the 2nd leg of the Origin Cup.

So before we kick off today, Pwb lwc i pawb heddi, Good luck to all today, Nadolig Llawen ichi gyd, ymlaen y Rhyfelwyr!

Gwilym Lewis (Chairman Llanelli Warriors RFC). 5 Stat attack Playing record 2017-2018: Played 9, Won 3, Drawn 0, Lost 6. Playing record overall: Played 281, Won 174, Drawn 15, Lost 93. POSITIONAL RECORDS Position Most prolific player No 2nd most prolific No Prop Colin Tacon 158 Chris Bonar 69 Hooker Jason Jenkins 119 Rich Hapus 65 Lock John Horwood 255 Darren Pollitt 89 No 6 Nathan Lawson 50 Raymond Millett 35 No 7 Gwilym Lewis 169 Lee Rowlands 20 No 8 David Newson 106 Simon Jenkins 90 No 9 Dean Gilasbey 68 Gwilym Lewis 65 No 10 Jonathan Jones 77 Jamie Evans 53 Centre Alun Stephens 130 Ben Winstanley 53 Wing Tony Whittaker 85 Meredith Pugh 62 Full back Dai Spriggs 80 Lee Rowlands 37

TOP TEN APPERANCES 1: John Horwood 256 2: Gwilym Lewis 249 3: Colin Tacon 203 4: Lee Rowlands 189 5: Richard Evans 183 Jumpin’ John Horwood – 6: Alun Stephens 150 became 1st player to make 7: Dean Gilasbey 141 250 appearances against 8: Simon Jenkins 135 Cardiff Chiefs 9: Jason Jenkins 130 10: Darren Pollitt 123 Significant appearances Last time: Jason Jenkins 130, Simon Day 55, Dai Haines 30, Jordan Jones 25 Today: Gwilym Lewis 250, Lee Rowlands 190,Simon Jenkins 135, Nathan Lawson 80. Thomas Edwards 15

Record win: 57-5 White Lion, 52-0 Llanelli Hospital. Highest total: 70 vs Kwik Save Crosshands Longest unbeaten run: 18 matches, Consecutive wins: 11. Most points in game: 24, Jon Kerr vs Cefneithin Most tries in game: 4 Jonathan Jones (vs Kwik Save Crosshands), Jon Kerr (Cefneithin), Richard Pegler (Cambrian), Luke Jenkins (Gwlad) Drop goal: 1, Dai Spriggs vs Betws and vs Llandybie, Rhys Bersley vs Carterton Tries in season: Jonathan Kerr 15 (2004/05) Penalties in season: 5 David Spriggs (2000/01), Simon Jenkins (2013/14) Drop goals in season: 1 David Spriggs (twice), Rhys Bersley. Conversions in season: David Spriggs, 38 (2000/01) Points in a season: Jon Kerr, 134 (2004/05) Most tries to date: David Newson, 50 Most penalties to date: David Spriggs, 12 Most drop goals to date: David Spriggs, 2 Most conversions to date: David Spriggs, 142 Most positions played: Lee Rowlands: 10 (of 11) 6 FORMER COMRADE – Past Player profile: Roger Thomas

Roger made his debut in September 2001

Roger Thomas made his debut in 2001/02 about the time that Meredth Pugh, Gareth McKibbon, Chris Spriggs, Alan Taylor and Chris Hancock started playing. He made his debut in match 49 – a 10-0 win over the Swansea Gladiators. He went on to play 77 times over 8 seasons. Initially he started on the wing and even featured once at prop before moving into the 2nd row, replacing Stephen Walley in the engine room and was until recently the 2nd most prolific player in the position next to the ever durable John Horwood.

On field he was known for being ever reliable and for once turning up with a face full of orange foundation, off field it was for his memory. Able to recite the whole team’s birthdays he spun out the BBC team at the Royal Welsh when he remembered each ones name and date of birth a year later. His other off field speciality was to wear a lot of pink – his favourite colour, in an attempt to wind up the committee. Whilst his memory earned him one of his nicknames – ‘Birthdays’, the other ‘Murphy’ he seems to have chosen at random.

He missed the New Zealand tour of 2005 but played well enough during the season to be voted Captain for the next term which included a rare away win over the Gladiators and a triumph over short lived English team Saracen Brave Herts. He led by example and was named Player of the Year at the end of the season.

He made the club’s 1st Scottish tour, playing against Jed Forest where British Lion Gary Armstrong was amongst the opposition but didn’t start the tour so impressively. Whilst the rest of the party quickly had an SSS ready for a night on the town, there was no sign of Roger or his room mate Dai Ed until an envoy was sent to their room where they were found having a quiet cup of coffee. The next day Kangeroo court had them doing a lap of Hawick’s field in the snow which nearly killed them. He was never quite as formidable as his Mother who sent him home after one presentation evening so she could come out to Tom Peppers.

Roger continues in sport, currently starring in the Ser y byd netball team.

7 Hanes y Rhyfelwyr History of the Warriors The Llanelli Warriors were formed to give people with learning difficulties the chance to experience rugby. They are the 2nd oldest integrated/mixed ability club and currently in their 21st season. 1995 Staff at Heol Goffa Day Centre who are involved with the Swansea Gladiators RFC challenged the centre to come up with a Llanelli side to play them. The Warriors played the Gladiators in Gorseinon, a match Llanelli felt they had won but Gladiators insisted was a draw and then at Stradey (Wanderers’ pitch) where the Warriors (definitely) won. The next season saw just 1 game, another match a draw with the Gladiators at Stradey Park, but it was the catalyst for the team going full time. The next season saw regular training sessions and 7 matches against opponents including the 1st WRU member club: Burry Port RFC. From there the club playing approximately 12 matches a season. A first tour (2000) saw the club travel to Teignmouth and the 50thfixture was held in 2001/02. The 10th anniversary saw the club play 23 matches including their 100th fixture and a 3 match unbeaten tour of New Zealand (following the Lions). 10 years on again and the club has played over 250 matches and holds an annual 7s tournament. Former players include Llanelli Swalec Cup winning Captain Justin Hughes and Wales U20s players Tom Phillips and Ben Leung. Last season Ronan Lewis has represented Army U23s and Liam Tobias has featured for Llanelli RFC.

The club has played an active role in encouraging the concept of integrated rugby, playing a significant role in the formation of the short lived Saracens Brave Herts, the Bumble Bees, The Ayrshire Clan (and from them the Glasgow and Edinburgh Clans), were 1st opponents of the Salopian Stags and 1st tour hosts of the Halifax Magpies. The club has been instrumental in the development of Ability Rugby International – the federation for mixed ability clubs. The Warriors have won both championships to date. In March the club were named Carmarthenshire Team of the Year

The highlight of last season saw the club make a 5 match tour of New Zealand and Samoa. The club extended its unbeaten run in New Zealand to 7 matches and played the Samoan champions as well as watching Wales and British Lions matches. The tour was important for the individuals going, boosting their confidence, social skills, life experience and knowledge. They were able to test their sporting prowess and gain new respect from others. It was also a boost to the profile of integrated rugby on an international level, continuing the Warriors work of spreading this concept that has already seen them help numerous other teams get established across Europe. This season the club have been heavily involved in the setting up of the Cardiff Chiefs who faced the Warriors as their 1st opponents and Ryan Jones featured. The club are set to play London Welsh during the 6 Nations and travel to Bradford later in the year.

Integrated rugby sees players with and without disabilities playing on the same team and against non- disabled opposition. Part of the rugby community, not some segregated separate entity. The Warriors are again pushed the boundaries by taking this concept to the 2 toughest rugby environments in the world. People with learning difficulties face numerous problems; discrimination, social exclusion, low income, prejudice. 8 out of 10 will have suffered bullying as a child, 50% of families with a disabled child live in poverty, only 1/3 of people with a learning disability take part in some form of education or training and only 6% of people with a learning disability who can work are in work (source - Mencap). Some of our players manage conditions such as Autism, Downs and Cerebral Palsy.

Off field the club works hard to have as professional a set up as possible which offers those involved further opportunities. There are monthly discos and curry nights, an annual black tie dinner, a regular match program, a match day shop, a high media profile and various fundraising activities. Please: join our website www.llanelliwarriors.co.uk, join our facebook group like our facebook page follow us on twitter @gwilwarriors

8 LLANELLI WARRIORS RFC HONOURS BOARD

SEASON CAPTAIN PLAYER OF PLAYERS’ SPORTSMAN MOST TOP TOP Tour YEAR PLAYER IMPROVED POINTS TRIES Captain 1995/95 Ray Millet Club plays Swansea Gladiators in Gorseinon (Draw) & at Llanelli Wanderers (Won) 1996/97 Ray Millet Club plays Swansea Gladiators at Stradey Park – Draw game 1997/98 Raymond Dean Dai Colin Tacon John Edward Dai - Millet Gilasbey Newson Horwood Williams Newson 1998/99 Dai Robert Dai Darel John Dai Dai - Newson Bevan Newson Watkins Horwood Spriggs Newson 1999/00 Dai Des Gary Chris Bonar Jason Dai Dai Edward Newson Williams James Jenkins Spriggs Newson Williams 2000/01 Dai Dai Edward Nigel Colin Tacon Dai Des Jason Newson Newson Williams Merrick Spriggs Williams Jenkins 2001/02 Dai Meredith John Mike James Roger Dai Meredith - Newson Pugh Horwood Thomas Spriggs Pugh 2002/03 John Dai Roger Alun Gareth Dai - Horwood Edwards Thomas Stephens McKibbon Spriggs 2003/04 Jason Dai Dai Richard Colin Tacon Simon Richard - Jenkins Newson Newson Evans Jenkins Evans 2004/05 Colin Simon Jonathan Dai Edwards Tony Jonathan Kerr Dai Tacon Jenkins Kerr Whittaker Edwards 2005/06 Roger Roger Simon Chris Spriggs Dai Simon Jenkins - Thomas Thomas Jenkins Edwards 2006/07 Jason Alun Simon John Richard Simon Jenkins Richard Jenkins Stephens Jenkins Horwood Evans Evans 2007/08 Tony Jonathan Richard Darren Joshua Jonathan Kerr - Whittaker Kerr Evans Pollitt Crowther 2008/09 Jonathan Anthony Darren Neil Parker Rob Jonathan Kerr Joshua Kerr Randall Pollitt Hughes Crowther 2009/10 Simon Rob Simon Jason Nathan Simon S.Jenkins Jenkins Hughes Jenkins Bennett Lawson Jenkins C.Ramcke 2010/11 Simon Darren C. Tacon Derrick Rhydian Simon Jenkins Jenkins Pollitt S. Jenkins Morgan Williams 2011/12 Darren Eric Eric Chris Ryan Simon Jenkins Rhydian Pollitt Horridge Horridge Hancock Morgan Williams 2012/13 Eric Graham Ryan Jamie Evans Gareth Simon Jenkins Ryan Horridge Mossa Morgan Ladd Morgan 2013/14 Graham Richard Darren Mark Lewis Andrew Graham Mossa A Davies. Mossa Evans Pollit Davies N Lawson 2014/15 Andrew Ben Liam Richard Steve Rees Jamie Evans John Davies Winstanley Tobias Evans Horwood

2015/16 Andrew Tom Hall Simon Paul Davies Dai Haines Simon Andrew Huw Davies Day Jenkins Davies Jenkins 2016/17 Dai Nathan Colin Vanessa Thomas Craig James Richard Haines Murphy Tacon Morgan Ashour Evans

9 Today’s Opponents: WRU Community/Carmarthen Athletic Today’s opponents were originally billed as WRU Scarlets Community Select. The Players will be registered to Carmarthen Athletic

The WRU was formed in 1881 making it the 4th oldest Union

after the other home nations. It was a founder member of

World Rugby in 1886. There are over 300 member clubs whilst many more (like the Llanelli Warriors) are affiliated through District Unions. The Union runs the various national teams, national competitions, coaching and referee development and the national stadium. Their commitment to mixed ability rugby can be seen in their support of Cardiff Chiefs and Newtown as well as today’s events.

Carmarthen Athletic was founded on DDAY making the club 72 years old. Originally playing at 5 fields the current facilities including the barn were officially opened by WRU President Dennis Gethin in 2009. The club runs sides through from Juniors to two senior teams. The Youth team have twice won the National Cup. The club has produced 14 full Welsh internationals including 3 British Lions, the Warriors being present when the latest; and Aled Davies made their debuts against Tonga in New Zealand. They have also produced internationals for Wales Women, 7s and Touch teams whilst Hugh Howells kicked of the 1st qualifying match of the 1999 World Cup playing outside half for Norway.

Off field the club has an impressive sports museum which as well as the expected rugby artefacts features items from such household names as; Pele, Brian Lara, Mohammed Ali, Bjorn Borg, Paula Ratcliffe and Stirling Moss.

Carmarthen Athletic produced Welsh Internationals

• Handel Greville • Lynn 'Cowboy' Davies • Roy Bergiers (British & Irish Lion) • Mark Douglas • Emyr Lewis • Phil Lewis • (British & Irish Lion) • Gary Pearce • • (British & Irish Lion) • Henry Morgan • Justin Thomas • Barry Davies • Ryan Elias • Aled Davies 10 • Vici Owens LLANELLI WARRIORS SQUAD 2017/18 SEASON

Facebook page & Group @gwilwarriors llanelliwarriors.co.uk

11 Llanelli Warriors RFC 2017/18 Squad

Facebook page & Group @gwilwarriors www.llanelliwarriors.co.uk

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