RH

YFE

LWY

R L

LAN

ELL

I W

AR

RIO

RS

TYM

OR

2017

- 20

18 S

EASO

N

Rhaglen £2 Programme

6 Nations Series 20186 Nations Series 2018

Llanelli Warriors

V

Ferryside RFC

Personal Player sponsorship is still available

Ask committee for details

Recent Result: Llanelli Warriors 24 7 Swansea Gladiators 15/1/18The Oldest Mixed Ability Fixture in the World was played out again recently when the world’s oldest integrated side and

current Ability Rugby Champions travelled to Burry Port to play the Llanelli Warriors

Warriors win the big old derby.

Old rivals the Warriors and the Gladiators met to play out the 26th edition of this fixture which back in 1995 was the Warriors1st ever game. Traditionally the matches are tight and passionate and so it proved again, a quality encounter that belied the fact that both sides include players with and without disabilities.

The Warriors produced their best performance of the season to achieve this victory and needed to against a powerful Gladiators side. Games are won up front and so it proved. The Gladiators got their strong men carrying right from the start with Andrew Bennett and Victor Reakar making constant inroads. It was only bodies on the line from Andrew Davies, JordanJones and Thomas Ashour that kept things contained. After an even start the Gladiators exploited a forwards charge, and with the backs on the front foot, they made room for an early try under the posts for a 7 nil lead.

The Warriors defense continued to work hard and when they had their chance the Warriors were able to make good headway with Dai Haines and Darren Pollitt carrying well, eventually Rhys Evans crossed out wide. The Warriors missed a penalty so the Gladiators led 7-5 at the break.

The Gladiators looked to their powerful maul to get them going and in itself and as a platform for blind side snipes it worked well but the Warriors were never quite stretched to the point of breaking. Good pressure from Andrew Davies helped disrupt their line-out ball and effect their confidence to launch these attacks. In the backs Ieuan Stitch orcastrated well at 10and Gemine and Lewis caused problems with their hard running.

The Warriors though were starting to edge possession and they finally went ahead when Willy Browne ghosted through the forwards for an opportunist try. Another missed penalty meant the Warriors couldn’t pull away and with the likes of RichardLowe looking sharp and Stephen Joseph full of energy the Gladiators posed plenty of threat.

Finally a decisive flurry ended the game, Adam Fussell broke through on the back of some forward carries for a try neatly converted and finally Dylan Crollar topped a fine debut with a try in the corner.

In such a tight game there was no way back and despite their best efforts the Gladiators were edged out of this high quality contest whilst the Warriors will take bragging rights for this season.

Llanelli Warriors: Adam Davies, Thomas Ashour (Elliot Griffiths, Yannis Whitely), Adam Fussell (Lee Rowlands), Ben Winstanley (Jonathan Kearney), Simon Day (Dylan Crollar), Jamie Evans, Liam Tobias, Will Bowne (Rhys Evans), Richard Evans(Nathan Lawson), Mark Lewis (Gareth McKibbon, Dai Haines), Darren Pollitt (John Horwood), Andrew Davies, Jordan Jones (Gareth Ladd), Simon Jenkins

Tries: Browne, Crollar, Rh Evans, Fussell.

Conversions: Jenkins (2)

Man of the Match: Simon Jenkins

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

Day Date Month Opponents and notes

Sat 5 August Burry Port W 19 26

Sat 19 August South Wales 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

Sat 26 December Betws D 25 all

Sat 31 December Burry Port L 42 30

Sun 14 January Swansea Gladiators W 24-7

Sat 3 Feb Ferryside (Wales v Scotland)

Sat 10 Feb London Welsh (Tour) (Wales v england)

Sun 24 Feb Trinity Primary Ed (Wales v Ireland)

Sun 11 March Cefneithin (Wales Italy)

Sat 17 March Rhiwbina (Wales v France)

July Bumble Bee Barbarians (Bradford)

7s and touch tournaments

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

Ability Rugby International: Championship Winners 2015/16

Carmarthenshire Team of the Year 2017

Llanelli Warriors’ Results and Fixtures 2017/18

Ability Rugby International – See the Facebook page

Today we pay our 1st ever visit to Ferryside RFC. The club have been making waves since their reformation lastseason and we look forward to what will no doubt be a tough encounter on the field and a proper tidy Welsh atmosphere in the clubhouse afterwards when Wales take on Scotland. Our thanks to Ferryside RFC for inviting us along today

The 6 Nations is always a busy time of year for the Warriors but this season it seems especially so. As well as the usual 5 fixtures including a trip to Cardiff for Super Saturday, we have a tour to London Welsh and two discos. The website has been updated, please keep checking for all the latest details.

It starts with a massive 1st game for the Welsh team that on the one hand has been rocked by injury but on the other has been boosted by some good performances at regional level, led of course by the Scarlets. If Wales can deny exciting Scotland a first win at Cardiff in years then with Italy and France also home, they should be right in the mix for what looks like another tight championship.

Congratulations to all involved in the recent win over the Swansea Gladiators, perhaps our best performance of the season, it’s always nice to beat your biggest rivals. Much of the improvement seemed to be what we’d worked on in training which is especially pleasing and shows what a difference hard work can make.

A quick note that Jamie Evans joins the centurion Warriors today as he takes the field for the 100th time – congratulations. At the other end of the scale congratulations to Dylan Crola who had a fine debut against the Gladiators.

Off field the club was well represented at the funeral for former player Dai Ed, were the 1st speakers at Sport Wales #mysport national consultation and were guests of the WRU at the Disability Sport Wales Dinner recently. The club obviously continues to gain respect and recognition for the work it’s done and all involved were a credit to the club. A special mention for Rich Evans who spoke exceptionally well at the Sport Wales function in front of a room of full of local movers and shakers.

Shufflebottoms of Crosshands have joined the Warriors family, agreeing to be main sponsors of our new kit. Please support our sponsors when you can. There are still places available of the kit so if you know anyone who wants to sponsor the Warriors then please get in touch.

Membership is (over)due £30 for players, £20 for social. Membership t-shirts ready for collection as is cheap beer at Burry Port RFC. It is hard finding the money in January with tour looming but please pay as soon as possible.

Back to today, a fixture to play in and a clubhouse to watch Wales in – Happy 6 Nations everyone

Good luck to all taking the field today,

Ymlaen y Rhyfelwyr!

Gwilym Lewis (Chairman Llanelli Warriors RFC).

Croeso Mawr ichi gyd

Stat attackPlaying record 2017-2018: Played 12, Won 4, Drawn 1, Lost 7.Playing record overall: Played 284, Won 175, Drawn 16, Lost 94.

POSITIONAL RECORDSPosition Most prolific player No 2nd most prolific No Prop Colin Tacon 158 Chris Bonar 69Hooker Jason Jenkins 119 Rich Hapus 68Lock John Horwood 258 Darren Pollitt 92No 6 Nathan Lawson 52 Raymond Millett 35 No 7 Gwilym Lewis 172 Lee Rowlands 20No 8 David Newson 106 Simon Jenkins 93No 9 Dean Gilasbey 68 Gwilym Lewis 65No 10 Jonathan Jones 77 Jamie Evans 56Centre Alun Stephens 130 Ben Winstanley 54Wing Tony Whittaker 85 Meredith Pugh 62Full back Dai Spriggs 80 Lee Rowlands 37

TOP TEN APPERANCES

1: John Horwood 259 2: Gwilym Lewis 2523: Colin Tacon 2034: Lee Rowlands 1905: Richard Evans 1866: Alun Stephens 1507: Dean Gilasbey 1428: Simon Jenkins 1389: Jason Jenkins 13010: Darren Pollitt 126

Significant appearances Last time: Lee Rowlands 190, Mark Lewis 75, Gareth Ladd 60, Thomas Ashour 30, Today: John Horwood 260, Jamie Evans 100, Ben Win 60, Gareth McKibbon, Craig James 40, Willy Browne 35,Liam Tobias 30, Thomas Edwards 15, Jon Kearny 10.

Record win: 57-5 White Lion, 52-0 Llanelli Hospital.Highest total: 70 vs Kwik Save CrosshandsLongest unbeaten run: 18 matches, Consecutive wins: 11.Most points in game: 24, Jon Kerr vs CefneithinMost 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 CartertonTries 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, 12Most drop goals to date: David Spriggs, 2Most conversions to date: David Spriggs, 142Most positions played: Lee Rowlands: 10 (of 11)

Jamie Evans

100th match today

Becoming a Warrior: My Debut – Jamie EvansAn occasional series looking back at players’ debut. Today Jamie Evans becomes the 13th Warriors to make 100 appearances so we look back at his debut when the Warriors paid their 1st visit to Betws RFC in their 4th season.

Debut: Betws (away) 6/3/1999 Betws 20 Llanelli Warriors 22

Match program (left) andmatch report from theCarmarthen Journal (right)

Warriors XV: Dai Spriggs,Rob Bevan, Dean Gilasbey,Lee Rowlands, Colin Tacon,Gary James, Andrew Russ,Darel Watkins (AdrianPayne), Colin Davies, EdMcVicar, Nigel Merrick, SteveWalley, Ray Millet, GwilymLewis, Dai Newson (Cpt)

The game was playedon a very wet Rice Road field that Betws no longer have use of. It was the return match after the teams had played at Stradey and was the Warriors 16th fixture. Jamie at the time was barley in high school and came along with his uncle Gary James, complete with Harry Potter glasses.

Jamie remembers, Gary brought me along. “I was very nervous as I was so young and didn’t really know what was going on. I remember being given boots far too big for me and stuffed with news paper. I stood on the touch line and went on for a few minutes in the 2nd half, I played on thewing and was given the ball. I went on a mazy run and, I realise now, people were diving near me but deliberately missing. I got quite close to the try line and passed to someone else (Original prop Ed McVicar) and he went and scored”. Not surprisingly it was 9 seasons before he played again. “I was in the RAF and started playing the odd game when home. The club were based at the Cambrian by then, I remember going back there with players like Dai Spriggs, Dai Newson, Jonathan Jones and Dean Gilasbey. When I left the RAF I played more regularly and started to get involved off the field. I love playing for the Warriors, it’s been a great laugh and all the boys are mates. I’ve done loads of things I wouldn’t have done otherwise like playing at the Arms Park and touring to Samoa. It’s great seeing the confidence develop and then seeing the person”.

Jamie is now the club’s treasurer and has instigated the annual black tie dinner (next one October 20th) and also coaches the team. He was top point and try scorer in 2014/15 and is the 2nd most capped fly half. A crucial part of the club now, it shouldn’t be forgotten that Jamie couldn’t find touch in the Arms Park, is cursed when hiring buses and always has 1st verse in sing songs: “Jamie can’t play rugby cos his nose blocks out the sun”. He now also plays for Betws.

Back to the history: this was possibly the 1st match that John Horwood missed and a match program is available on Rugby Relics (£1). The game was memorable for Darel Watkins showing amazing mobility – between resetting a scrum he was able to move 10yards so we all had to wait for him to negotiate the puddles. Of the Betws team Dylan Rees, Cellan Davies (Betws) and Nic James (Pantyffynnon) have all played against the Warriors recently. Dylan Higgon later played for the Warriors at St. Helens. 5 of the Warriors that day have featured this season.

Hanes y Rhyfelwyr History of the WarriorsThe 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 theHalifax 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 the6 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 furtheropportunities. 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 pagefollow us on twitter @gwilwarriors

SPONSOR THE WARRIORSLast summer after the match against Samoan Champions the Warriors donated theirboots to their opponents. This gesture meant so much to the boys we played that Roy Davies of RDH Haulage asked that the club donated their jerseys and he wouldpurchase a new set. This means that the club are now looking for additional sponsors for their new kit. We are very pleased to announce that Shufflebottoms of Cross Hands have agreed to join RDH as main sponsors and we are now looking forfurther sponsorship.

Upper Back: £600, Lower Back (3 spaces): £500, Arm (5 spaces remaining): £250, Front/Back Leg: £250

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).

Sport is well known for various benefits: Healthy competition, respect, teamwork, physical fitness, strength and conditioning, self-awareness, character building, confidence, self-respect,strategy, concentration, analytic skills, enjoyment.

The physical nature of rugby means that there is a respect for all who take part and also means the confidence gained is greater. There are so many specialist roles that all players find their place in the team. The players become part of the “rugby family” and they go from (often) being isolated to having a whole club, network and sport of friends.

“I can see the change in the way he walks and the way he holds himself.” (Social Worker)

The Warriors are at the forefront of mixed ability rugby and have featured on various BBC programs, S4C and NZTV. They play across Wales and Britain whilst maintaining a high profileon social media. They have been asked to talk by Sport Wales, they have been nominated forvarious awards and work close with the WRU.

Please contact: Jamie Evans 07531725655 jamieevanspt@hotmail.co.uk or

Gwilym Lewis 07837994901 gwilym666@hotmail.com

Today’s Opponents: Ferryside RFC. Clwb Rygbi Glan y Fferi

After a break of 16 years Ferryside RFC reformed and played their first match on 22nd of August 2016. Since then the club have been successful in Llanelli and District and are now playingin the National Leagues for the 1st time in their history.

The club was previously active in Llanelli District, providing a steady stream of players to the District team with Steve Thomas and Andrew Jones going on to earn Welsh District caps.

As members of Llanelli & District the won the cup in 1949/50 and in 1994/95 (when the championship consisted of 6 divisions) they won both the League and the Lady Howard Cup (League Winners v Cup Winners). Their first season back though was a huge success taking the Doreen Rogers and Buckleys Cups for most points and tries they finished by winning the Scarlets trophy at Parc Y Scarlets.

This season they are in the National leagues for the 1st time in 3 West Central C alongside other clubs familiar to the Warriors; Cefneithin, Pantyffynnon, Furnace and Pontyates. Despite major injury issues they have managed several wins and have proved they can be competitive.

The village itself was originally a ferry crossing point with records going back to 1177 and used by famous chronicler Gerald of Wales in 1188. It developed into a fishing village and famous General Sir Thomas Picton lived there before he was killed at the battle of Waterloo.

The village has its own lifeboat station and in 2005 was the first village in the UK to switch from analogue to digital television.

All at Llanelli Warriors would like to thank Ferryside for agreeing to today’s fixture and wish them all the best for the rest of the season.

Pwb lwc I pawb yn Clwb Rygbi Glan y Fferi.

Facebook page & Group @gwilwarriors llanelliwarriors.co.uk

Llanelli Warriors RFC 2017/18 Squad

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