RHYFELWYR WARRIORS

TYMOR 2018 - 2019 SEASON Rhaglen Charity Fundraiser 20/7/2019 Fundraiser Charity Charity Fundraiser 20/7/2019 Fundraiser Charity Betws Classics XV Betws Classics Betws Classics XV Betws Classics £2 £2 Programme

Blast from Past: 1999 Llanelli Warriors 24 Betws 12. 6/2/1999 Park Llanelli

Kick off was delayed whilst Betws sorted out some sort of team. Once they had press ganged the bus driver Anthony and one of the Warriors (Mike Esney) they had 14 including underage Ryan Davies and Gareth Llews making their club debuts. Llews did well until half time when he was sick on the famous touchline. The ref was also a no show so Gary James stepped in and instead of a coin toss, asked the Captains to guess the colour of his pants.

Dylan Higgon and Ryan Davies scored for Betws who were captained on the day by Stuart Walters. Trevor Morris walked up to A&E to find he had broken a leg and didn’t play for another 7 years. Afterwards both teams watched ’s 1st 6 Nations match – Scotland scoring almost from the kick off.

It was the 1st time the Warriors produced a match program and was the club’s 14th game.

Betws: Daniel Robinson, Steve Richards, Leighton Rees, Mike Esney, Gareth Lewis, Ryan Davies, Rob Holmes, Dylan Higgon, Stuart Walters (Cpt), Trevor Morris, Jason Mainwaring, Carl Woodford, Anthony Driver

Warriors: Dai Spriggs, Rob Bevan, Dean Gilasbey, Barty walters, Colin Tacon (Lee Rowlands), Roger Bowen, Colin Downey, Nigel Merrick (Chris Bonar), Jason Jenkins, Darel Watkins (Colin Davies), John Horwood, Steve Walley, Ray Millet, Dai Newson (Cpt), Gwilym Lewis

Betws 20 Llanelli Warriors 25. 6/3/1999 Rice Road Betws

A month later and the Warriors made their 1st trip to Betws, on the old 2nd field in Rice Rd. In a mud bath, Betws seemed unable to tackle anyone...except Gwilym. Nick James played on the wing, Colin Tacon scored his 1st try for the Warriors and Dai Spriggs scored their 1st drop goal.

In the clubhouse afterwards won an amazing game in France to set them up for a big finish against england at Wembley

Betws: Arwyn Thomas*, Mathew Jones, Alan Thomas, Dai Harris*, Nic James*, Dylan Rees (Cpt), Cellan Davies, Ted Williams Dylan Higgon, Barry Hale, Daniel Rees, Arwel Davies, Carl Woodford, Jeff Thomas*

Warriors: Dai Spriggs, Rob Bevan, Dean Gilasbey, Lee Rowlands, Gary James, Colin Tacon*, Andrew Russ, Darel Watkins (Adrian Payne), Colin Davies, Ed McVicar*, Nigel Merrick, Steve Walley, Ray Millet, Dai Newson* (Cpt), Gwilym Lewis. *-tries

Above: Betws at Stradey, Above left: Moony and Gwil leave the field at Rice Road. RYAN4LEUKAEMIA was set up in 2007 by the late Ryan Davies former AML patient. Aiming to help cancer patients and their journey and fight slightly easier RYAN4LEUKAEMIA is a charitable not-for-profit organisation set up by Acute Myeloid Leukaemia Ph+ patient Ryan Davies. It focuses on helping local people,hospitals and patients. Since its first event in 2008,RYAN4LEUKAEMIA has raised over £22,000. This money has been distributed with careful thought by Ryan, his family and the trustees and has gone to help ease the life of patients during treatment as well as improving the facilities and upgrading essential medical equipment. The University Hospital of Wales(UHW) and Prince Philip Hospital(PPH) have been the main beneficiaries of the money raised. The Chemotherapy Day Units at both hospitals have been improved and new televisions in every patient cubicle on both Transplant Wards (UHW B4) and (PPH Ward 1&4) have been purchased, installed and enjoyed by many patients suffering from various cancers and illness. The most recent event was the Annual Betws v Ammanford Cricket match, from Facebook: What a fantastic turnout today for Ryan’s memorial cricket game.

It was great to see so many children enjoying and being a big part of the day in the Parc which made it extra special. So much work has gone on behind the scenes and I appreciate everyone who participated in the game, which was not easy in the heat and Betws fielding two over 60yo. This year Ammanford took the spoils after scoring 185 with some decent knocks. Betws put in a very worthy effort falling just short on 173 runs. Well done Ammanford, great game and roll on next year � � A whopping £618.34 was raised for Ryan4Leukaemia which is amazing. Thanks to everyone that bought raffle, donated, got involved in the golf game and generally supported, you’re all legends. The major thing for us is people still turn out to remember Ryan and this means so so much to us. Such a huge part of our lives is missing but through everyone, Ryan still lives on through days like today, so from the bottom of my heart, thank you so much to everyone, you truly are wonderful wonderful people and a fantastic community. ❣ Thanks to Tian and Fin for helping out umpiring and also Tina for laying on a great BBQ. And the scorers and music which made it a great atmosphere.

Gavin Davies and Craig Mol, thanks for all the hard work you’ve put in and thanks to the sponsors National Cladding Wales and Riverside supplies Ltd for supplying the kit for each team.

Also thanks to Huw and Rhian of The Red Lion Llandybie for their fantastic raffle prize and Mike Tench carpentry for the donation.

Thank you for attending today’s match and for buying a program, please give generously throughout the day to remember Ryan and support local causes. Llanelli Warriors’ Results and Fixtures 2018/19 Day Date Month Opponents and notes

Sat 11 August Ferryside (Lewi Cup) W 28-32 Fri 24 August Walcot Warriors (Bath) W 7-20 Sat 25 August GO Rugby Festival Sun 26 August Cardiff Chiefs L 21-7 Sun 9 September Swansea Vikings L 20-45 Sun 15 September Betws (Lewi Cup) W 27-29 Sun 20 October Griffins (300th match) W 22-43 Sat 7 October Aberavon Green Stars L 33-29 Sat 3 November Scottish National Clan (Tartan Cup) D 24 all (Wal v Sco) Sun 10 November Dragon All-Stars (Wal v Aus) D 12 all Sat 17 November Burry Port (Origin Cup/Lewi Cup) (Wales v Tonga) L 40-39 Sat 24 November Cardiff Chiefs (Wales v South Africa) W 22-25 Sun 9 December Croeserw/Glyncorrwg (A) L 47-42 Sat 22 December Felinfoel (Lewi Memorial Match) W 24-36 We 26 December Betws (A) W 17-35 Tue 1 January Burry Port (Origin Cup) W 64-43 Sun 13 January Magor (H) L 24-44 Sun 9 February Cefneithin (A) (Anniversary Cup) (Wales v Italy) W 30-55 Fri 22 February Bumbles (H) (H Bomb) W19-17 Sat 23 February Cardiff Quins (A) (Wales v England) L 45-15 Sat 9 March Primary Ed (H) (Wales v Scotland) W46-43 Sat 13 April All-Stars (H) L 17-27 Fri 19 April Abercrave (A) L 48-34 Mo 29 April MA Festival: Dragons All-Stars (L) 14-12 Sat 18 May Warrior Sevens Tournament (7th) Sat 22 June South Wales Police 10s tournament (Penlan) Sat 29 June Bryncethin T6 Festival Sat 20 July Betws (Classics)

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

Ability Rugby International – See the Facebook page Croeso Mawr ichi gyd Croeso/Welcome to today’s match, I would like to thank Betws for the invitation to come and play today and raise Welcome to todays match. 1st thingssome first money– a massive for thanka very you worthy to the cause:Stars for Ryan4Leukaemia.hosting us today. We really enjoyed coming up last seasonAlso so it’s of great course to be the here chance again. to remember Ryan himself – a really sound young man taken from us far to early but still It seems to be a very busy time for rememberedthe club with some very real fondly. occasions:

It’s very fitting that the Warriors provide the opposition for today’s match as Ryan’s first game for Betws (despite being under age) was at Stradey Park against the Warriors, the 1st time the club’s met (on the 2nds field at Rice Road). It was at a time that the Warriors were just beginning to develop and was marked by their 1st match program. A fortnight later the Warriors came up to Betws for the 1st time, a young Nick James making his debut on the wing whilst promising Llanelli Youth player Arwel Davies, featured at No8 for Betws. Warriors coach Jamie Evans also managed a sneak cameo. In 2005 the Warriors played their 100th match here. Perhaps the most memorable meeting though was at Northern where the Warriors had a game on international weekend. The club later wrote to the Warriors thanking them for their business as they had taken a season’s worth of bar takings in a single day. The Warriors have long been a regular on the Betws fixture list and will be back again on Boxing Day – early kick off before the regional derbies.

The Warriors were recently shortlisted in two categories for Disability Sport Wales; Inspiring Stories and Club of the Year but missed out in both categories. They have however been given a Special Recognition Award for Inclusion in Sport by All Wales Sport and are all set to go into their 24th season starting with a mystery tour on September 7th and ending with the Mixed Ability World Tournament in Cork, Ireland next June.

Congratulations to all the winners at the club’s recent presentation evening; Dainosaur Haines, Tomos Hall, Jamie Evans, Dirty Dan John, James Duke and Yanis Whiteley. Congratulations to Nathan Murphy who plays his 50th match today. Hopefully we can build on this seasons successes and continue to improve and raise the profile of mixed ability rugby.

I would like to thank all the vets who have agreed to play today, it was very easy to assemble the team and I’m sure there will be a great craic afterwards.

Finally, good luck both teams, Ymlaen Y Rhyfelwyr,

Gwilym (Player/Chairman) Stat attack Playing record 2018-2019: Played 23, Won 11, Drawn 2, Lost 10. Playing record overall: Played 317, Won 191, Drawn 19, Lost 109. POSITIONAL RECORDS Position Most prolific player No 2nd most prolific No Prop Colin Tacon 184 Mark Fudge 96 Hooker Jason Jenkins 136 Rich Hapus 92 Lock John Horwood 282 Darren Pollitt 121 No 6 Nathan Lawson 66 Raymond Millett 35 No 7 Gwilym Lewis 188 Lee Rowlands 20 No 8 Simon Jenkins 109 David Newson 106 No 9 Gwilym Lewis 80 Dean Gilasbey 68 No 10 Jamie Evans 83 Jonathan Jones 77 Centre Alun Stephens 130 Ben Winstanley 73 Wing Tony Whittaker 93 Simon Day 86 Nathan Murphy - 50th Full back Dai Spriggs 80 Lee Rowlands 43 match today

TOP TEN APPERANCES 1: John Horwood 282 1: Gwilym Lewis 282 3: Colin Tacon 231 4: Richard Evans 213 5: Lee Rowlands 199 6: Simon Jenkins 157 6: Darren Pollitt 157 8: Alun Stephens 150 9: Jason Jenkins 147 10: Dean Gilasbey 142 Significant appearances Last time: Tomos Hall 55 Today: Lee Rowlands 200, Simon Day, Andrew Bambi 90, Ben Wintanley 80, Nathan Murphy 50, Tom Ed 25, Lloyd Crawley 15, Andrew Ladd, Luke Pearce, Jordan Cannon 5

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) 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 such club and currently in their 23rd season. 1995 Staff at Heol Goffa Day Centre who played for 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 started 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 represented Army U23s and Liam Tobias is amongst several ex players in the Welsh Premiership. Welsh international Ryan Jones has also played for the team.

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 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 won ARI championship in it’s 1st two seasons (14/15 & 15/16) The club were named the Team of the Year in 2017.

In summer 2017 the club made 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. Last season the club were heavily involved in the setting up of the Cardiff Chiefs who faced the Warriors as their 1st opponents. The club played Welsh and travelled to Bradford on tours.

In March 2018 the WRU launched it’s Disability Strategy, part of which was specifically building on the success of the Warriors with the club represented at the launch as a partner group. The Warriors are also featured in RFU Mixed Ability Guide. In Oct 2018 the club became the 1st mixed ability side to play 300 fixtures and the WRU recognised this by asking them to represent them in the Tartan Cup match against Scotland’s National Clan.

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. join our website www.llanelliwarriors.co.uk, join our facebook group and like our facebook page follow us on twitter @gwilwarriors Today Opponents: Clwb Rygbi y Betws RFC

Ground: Heol Y Felin, Colours: Black with Red, Next Fixture: Aug 10th Pontarddulais, Cpt: G Comley

Although it is accepted that Betws RFC was in existence some years before the 1890s, the first hard evidence that the club existed was through an Amman United fixture card dating from 1903 and so this was the date taken as the birth of the club.

There is also little known about the club until after the Second World War. The club was certainly up and playing in the late 1940s and officially reformed in 1953. As members of Llanelli & District they soon became successful and a decade later they had added 11 district titles. The 1959/60 season saw the club record a treble when they claimed the League Championship Challenge Shield, Open Cup and Lady Howard Cup and the continued success was evident in 1967/68 when they retained the Open and Lady Howard Cups supposedly from the season before. There was then a barren period until the 1992/93 season, when the club claimed the Doreen Rogers Cup and Section B Championship. During this period the club worked hard on and off the field with the aim of securing WRU status. This was achieved in 1997/98 and they signed off from Llanelli & District Rugby in style by securing Section A titles in 95/96, 96/97 and 97/98. As well as triple League Championship Challenge Shields the club also the Lady Howard Cup in both 95/96 and 97/98 and the Champions Cup in 95/96. The club demonstrated competency for the WRU National Leagues with immediate promotion from division 7 in 98/99 and in 2007/08 they won the Division 5 title. The 1sts currently play in WRU Division 3 West C. The 2nds continue in Llanelli & District, they won the Section B title in 2005/06 and in 2007/08 emulating the 1sts divisional success, they also secured the 1 Llanelli & District title that had eluded the 1sts - the Buckley Cup. WRU National Leagues: Division 7 1998/99 - Runners Up WRU Division Five South West 2007/08 - Champions Llanelli & District Titles: 1953/54 Open Cup 1954/55 Open Cup 1956/57 Lady Howard Cup (Cup winners v League Champions) 1957/58 Open Cup, Lady Howard Cup 1958/59 League Championship Challenge Shield (LCCS) 1959/60 LCCS, Open Cup, Lady Howard Cup 1962/63 LCCS, Lady Howard Cup 1964/65 Lady Howard Cup 1966/67 Lady Howard Cup, Open Cup 1967/68 Open Cup, Lady Howard Cup 1992/93 Section B Champions, Doreen Rogers Cup * 1995/96 LCCS (Section A), Lady Howard Cup, Champions Cup 1996/97 LCCS (Section A) 1997/98 LCCS (Section A), Lady Howard Cup Second XV: 2005/06 Section B Champions* 2007/08 Section B Champions, Buckleys Cup* Croeso

A warm welcome to Betws RFC today for some summer rugby and a bit of a special occasion.

A chance to raise some money for a local charity very close to Betws RFC: Ryan4 Leukaemia A chance to welcome back some former players for the classics A chance, to welcome once again, the Llanelli Warriors.

Ryan Davies was a former Betws player, following in his Father’s footsteps. He passed away after a long battle again Leukaemia. He will be remembered for his love of sport, both playing (cricket and rugby) and watching (Liverpool and the ). Those who knew him speak of a kind, fun guy who always had time for others. When he was diagnosed with Leukaemia, he battled it, not just on a personal level, but on a public level, raising money to help others in their battle. His legacy lives on. When as a club we discussed doing something for the community, R4L was the immediate suggestion. There is already an annual cricket match (played just recently) and so a rugby match seemed obvious. Just as obvious was to ask the players who knew Ryan if they wanted to be involved. The response was very quick and a strong squad was quickly put together. Hopefully today will be a great chance to again remember a fine young man and also to raise some money in his name.

It’s great to look through the names of the Past XV, former Captains include Paul Rees, Paul Roberts and Cellan Davies whilst Rhys Thomas and Aled Griffiths have coached the team. Cellan has also coached, but in an unofficial role. Some boys played for years here, others played more away but all are welcome back today. The names alone; Moony, Sooty, Twp, Rash, Cheg, Pachino, show that we have some characters here today – don’t be stangers boys, you’re welcome anytime.

The Warriors are old friends of Betws and have been coming here since 1999. It has been amazing to watch their journey over that time as their influence has grown. Various players have featured for both clubs. Alongside Gwilym; Wayne Comley, Rich Griff, Luke Pearce, Jamie Evans, Ben Win, Alun Stephens, Simon Jenkins, Dylan Higgon, Gareth Comley and Tony Whittaker head a host of players who could feature on either team today.

It should all add up to a great day today with some money raised for the future.

I’m looking forward to taking the field in such esteemed company today and on behalf of all the vets can I say – please go easy on us. Thanks to all those involved today as well as the players, Seth on the BBQ and especially Andy Fawkes-Williams, today’s referee.

Good luck to both teams.

Mark Rewston (Betws RFC) Betws Classics XV is a fantastic array of talented players from the club’s recent history – some of them even talented at rugby. Late arrivals to the squad include Mark Tench, Andrew “I’m walking quickly this year” Scannell, Steve ‘Beans’ Richards and (sneaking in for the Warriors), Owen Pancho. Dan Handjob returns to Betws before he’s even played a game for Panty whilst Jeff Pies insists he was going to play but has hurt his leg. The squad is headed by former prop Aled Griffiths who has one of the most embarrassing international careers ever, getting injured just after coming on as a substitute in a mid week tour game in America. He is odds on favourite alongside Mark ‘gout’ Thomas and Rhys Twp 1 for shortest cameo today. Wayne Comley & Rich Griff are the only members of the classics squad to have also played for the Warriors although Ben Win, Jamie Evans, Tony Whittiker, Gwilym Lewis, Luke Pearce, Gareth Ladd and Simon Jenkins have all been regular Betws players. No surprise that Cellan had a pwdi when he was told he couldn’t play as he was still a current player. A warm welcome to referee Andy Fawkes-Williams whose own career as a strong running centre was notable for the amount of 1st aid he got through. Last seen coaching Amman Youth we wish him luck as a ref. Llanelli Warriors Squad for the last match of 2018/19

Richard Evans will lead a fairly settled squad that have been training well through the summer and were last seen in action in Bryncethin festival (above).

Fatties: Sideshow Tom will move up to 2nd row today to help Darren Pollitt whilst Bambi remains injured. As ever front row options abound with big things expected of James Duke, now in his 3rd season. Gringo & Lawson are missing from the back row but otherwise it should be business as usual: Mark Fugde, Hapus, Duchess, Dai nosaur, Tacon Powder, Sideshow, Tomonator, Pretty Polly, Gwil Chief*, Jumping John, Willy Won’t he, Rhyd mawr y cawr, Whittaker*, Pearce*, Lloydipop, Simon Jenkins* and Dan G with hopefully Yanis Whiteley making selection difficult.

Wimps: Hopefully a full house with Craig/Jamie Harold Big nose* at half back, Kearney/Ben Win*/Fussy/Murphy centres, Daydream, Dcruz, and James Milgi on the wings, Dirty old Dan at 15

Gareth Ladd* to cover 1-15

Expect all those with dual identity (*) to be bribed by a tiring vets team at some stage. Coch i Cellan - 2016

100fed gem y Rhyfelwyr - 2005