OriginOrigin CupCup 17/1817/18 N S O S R A E O S I

8 R 1 0 R 2

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A 7 1 W 0

2 I R L O L M E Y T N

A Warriors L L

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L E F Y H R

Rhaglen £2 Programme 1

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2 Recent Result: Llanelli 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 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 Sat 26 December Betws D 25 all Sat 31 December Burry Port January 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 Team of the Year 2017 4 Ability Rugby International – See the Facebook page Croeso Mawr ichi gyd

Croeso i Parc Goffa, welcome to the Memorial Park. Thank you for coming along today, Nadolig Llawen a Blwyddyn Newydd Dda. Sport is as much a part of the festive season as anything else and it’s great to be a part of it. We hope you will join us in the clubhouse later for some socialising and even more rugby on the tv. It’s nice to be back at our home ground in Burry Port for only the 3rd time this season having made 4 trips to Cardiff and 2 to Betws, even training has been in recently. With all the excitement of facing new teams like Cardiff Chiefs and Cardiff Falcons it is also good to renew rivalries with clubs like Betws and especially our hosts Burry Port. Personal friendships, old scores and bragging rights all ad to the occasion and we look forward to writing another chapter in our shared history today.

It Congratulations to the team that secured a draw in Betws last week, especially to James Duke who made his debut and Simon Jenkins who was named Man of the Match.

With Christmas soon to be history we will be heading into a busy time of the year for the Warriors – the 6 Nations and so there is likely to be only 1 fixture in January (stay tuned for details folks!) but there will be a disco and possibly other fundraising events so please keep a eye on the website and social media.

This time of year it is natural to reflect on the last 12 months and the Warriors have had an incredible 2017 which included playing the Basque Champions Gaztedi, England’s Premier Mixed Ability side the Bumble Bees, Samoan Champions Vaiala Ulalei, play 5 matches in New Zealand, help start a new side in Cardiff and win our own 7s tournament. That’s good going for any club and of course we also had our usual local matches, monthly discos, black tie dinner and presentation evening.

Of course we also look forward and February will see us at London Welsh on Wales v England Day and back in Bradford towards the season end.

So before we kick off today, Pwb lwc i pawb heddi, Good luck to all today, Nadolig Llawen a Blwyddyn Newydd Dda ichi gyd,

Ymlaen y Rhyfelwyr!

Gwilym Lewis (Chairman Llanelli Warriors RFC).

5 Stat attack Playing record 2017-2018: Played 10, Won 3, Drawn 1, Lost 6. Playing record overall: Played 282, Won 174, Drawn 16, 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 66 Lock John Horwood 256 Darren Pollitt 90 No 6 Nathan Lawson 50 Raymond Millett 35 No 7 Gwilym Lewis 170 Lee Rowlands 20 No 8 David Newson 106 Simon Jenkins 91 No 9 Dean Gilasbey 68 Gwilym Lewis 65 No 10 Jonathan Jones 77 Jamie Evans 54 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 257 2: Gwilym Lewis 250 3: Colin Tacon 203 4: Lee Rowlands 189 5: Richard Evans 184 Jumpin’ John Horwood – 6: Alun Stephens 150 became 1st player to make 7: Dean Gilasbey 142 250 appearances against 8: Simon Jenkins 136 Cardiff Chiefs 9: Jason Jenkins 130 10: Darren Pollitt 124 Significant appearances Last time: Gwilym Lewis 250,Simon Jenkins 135, Darren Pollitt 125 Today: Lee Rowlands 190, Richard Evans 185, 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 , 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 2017/18 Richard Nathan Murphy Evans leading

9 Today’s Opponents: Burry Port RFC “The Blacks”

The first recorded game of rugby played in Burry Port was on the 11th Dec, 1880 between a Burry Port side and Llanelli juniors. Though details are sketchy it is known that the Butchers Arms was being used as HQ in 1885 but moved to The Engine Inn by 1887. By 1910 both 1st & 2ndXVs were competing in the Llanelli League amongst several town teams.

By 1930 Burry Port was the only side in the town in what was a successful era for the club. In 1939 Howard Davies became the club’s 1st cap and he was joined in the post war Welsh side by Griff Bevan (Davies 1 of just 4 players to win caps either side of the conflict).

Following WWll Burry Port RFC became members of the Welsh and the Memorial Park Ground opened. The West Wales Rugby Union was joined in 1951. Marlston Morgan (Neath/Llanelli) Captained the first post war youth team in 1953-54. 1962 saw members start the building of the clubhouse which was finished in time for 1964-5 season.

Former Player T. Geoff Evans was part of the unsurpassed 1971 Lions tour to New Zealand whilst Hefin Jenkins helped Llanelli beat New Zealand as part of a glittering career. Whilst there was plenty of 70s club success: Gwendraeth Valley Cup Winners in 1973,75,76,77, West Wales Section A Winners 74/75, West Wales Cup Finalists 77 and District G 7s titles in 77 and 79. In the 1976/77 Welsh Cup Burry Port held Swansea to a drew after 80 minutes, losing only in extra time, giving the Whites their toughest test on their way to winning the Cup that season.

The club celebrated it’s centenary in 1980/81 and improvements on the Club House continued with the building of the lounge by the members in 1988.

More recently the club has won Division 5 West twice and Division 6 West only losing one game. At present the 1st XV are in Division 3 A West of the new league structure and whilst winning the title has proved frustratingly elusive the club won the WRU Bowl at the in 2016. They are currently handily plaed in the league with a game in hand on the clubs above them.

The Women’s side was formed in 2014/15 but are current Bowl champions, unbeaten in the league and have produced several players for the region.

A strong and long established Junior Section sees teams from U7s right through to a Youth team that has reached the WRU Plate final for the past two seasons and has provided a steady stream of players for the top level of the game including current Blues player Kirby Myhill.

The club has a strong history of fundraising for local causes raising thousands for Latch and the Peony Suite Breast Care Unit at Prince Phillip Hospital Llanelli in recent seasons. However with the Council selling off Park Land this season the club is fundraising in house to buy the land and develop it as a facility that can continue to be used by all the community. 10 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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