Warriors TRI Unions Cup report

Llanelli Warriors TRI Unions Cup Report

The Warriors travelled to Kilmarnock RFC as the Welsh representatives in the inaugural TRI Unions Cup but failed in their quest to bring it back home with them. They can rest assured though that they gave it their best shot.

The Clan 12 Llanelli Warriors 13

History was made at Kilmarnock RFC when, having been led onto the field by a piper, the Warriors kicked off against The Clan – Scotland’s first ever integrated side playing their first ever match.
Any thoughts that this would be an easy ride for the Warriors though were soon dispelled by a strong Scottish pack who took the game to the visitors from the off and showed plenty of appetite for the physical stuff.
Once they settled though the Warriors backs looked sharp and they spun the ball across the field. They got the first points when Graham Mosser made a typical surge from full back, on the front foot the ball quickly went left and tour Captain Ryan Morgan won the race to a well worked grubber through. They stretched their lead when Neil parker broke clear on the half way and just had enough legs to cross in the corner.
The Clan were improving by the minute though and started the second half strongly. Ivor Frater soon became the Clan’s first scorer when he crashed over out wide.
The score put the game in the balance and both sides had to work hard; Stephen Frew, Hugh Dunlop, Paul Johnstone getting stuck in for the Scots, Chris Morgan, Eric Horridge and Richard Evans going well for the Warriors.
It wasn’t enough for Llanelli though, the Clan managed to work sharp scrum half Connor Turnbull clear and he scampered over from distance. With the conversion good the Warriors found themselves behind with time at a premium.
The Clan’s defence meant they didn’t get any opportunity until the last minute of the match when they were awarded a penalty. Mosser;s pressure kick brushed the woodwork on its way over but the Warriors did just enough to claim this historic victory.

Llanelli Warriors 5 Bumble Bee Barbarians 19

The physical and emotional strain of their first game having taken it’s toll the Warriors knew they would have to really battle hard to compete with a large and fresh Bumbles squad.
They did well early on, despite going behind to and Andy Boote try, converted by Kevin Pringle they battled back and No 8 Gwilym Lewis went over after a nice switch with scrum half Jamie Evans. Having initially held their own though, one could sense the pressure building.
Bumbles Togan international Lisiate Tafa led the way in the backs and with Ahsan Sakandar and Michael Steadman rolling forward up front the strain proved too much.
In reality the Warriors did well to hold the Bumbles to just two more tries with Martin hodgson and James Moore crossing. On limited ball Carpenter and Davies went well for the Welsh side but they couldn’t add to their score.

The final match was another close affair, the Scots determined to get something and the English determined to secure the trophy. The scores were locked at 12 all until Ben Hall got a late score for the Bumbles to seal a bruising encounter and the TRI Unions Trophy midst emotional scenes.

The day proved a fantastic experience for all involved and the coverage it will give integrated/unified rugby and the concept of including players with and without learning disabilities, with two film crews in attendance will be huge.
The Warriors team were proud to have helped both other sides by passing on advise gained over 200 matches and the squad can hold their heads high for their behaviour and effort both on and off the field.
They fully embraced the touring concept, immersing themselves in the local culture and proving fine ambassadors throughout.

Warriors tour party: Lewis Jones (Offical) Ryan Morgan (Captain), Graham Mosser, Liam Carpenter, Karl Davies, Neil Parker, Gary James. Jamie Evans, Huw Jenkins, Richard Evans, Eric Horridge, Colin Talcon, Mark Lewis, Chris Hancock, John Horwood, Darren Pollitt, Chris Morgan, Lee Rowlands, Gwilym Lewis

THE CLAN'S VERSION OF EVENTS:
The sun shone on Kilmarnock Rugby Club on Saturday for Trust Rugby International’s first-ever unified rugby tournament. Three teams, the Clan from Kilmarnock, Bradford Bumble Bees and Llanelli Warriors, were cheered on by an enthusiastic crowd and played some entertaining rugby.

In their inaugural match since forming just a year ago, the Clan kicked off the tournament against the Warriors. The teams were welcomed on to the pitch not only by friends, family and fans in the stand, but also a bagpiper. It was the Welsh side who got off to the best start, showing their skill and experience in loose play, with full back Graham Mosser turning on the gas. But the Clan’s outside centre Aron Miller put in a tremendous tackle to stop him in his tracks.

The Warriors had their first chance to get points on the board, but Mosser missed the penalty kick. It wasn’t long before Warriors winger Ryan Morgan dived over for an unconverted try.

The Clan worked hard, putting in some good driving mauls and turnovers, but the Warriors were flying for the try-line again, this time outside centre Neil Parker showing tremendous pace to score from his own half. Mosser again couldn’t convert, making it 10-0 at half-time.

The Clan kept their composure at the resumption, and soon stand-off Ivor Frater scored a great try, bursting through the strong Warriors defence to touch down. Team-mate Pablo Castello Vinolo scored next, charging from his own half. Winger Robert Baird converted to nudge the Clan into the lead at 10-12.

With the crowd on the edge of their seats with just a few minutes to go, the Clan were just pipped at the post as Mosser kicked a penalty to give Warriors the win, 13-12. For a side that has only been together a year to run a team that formed eighteen years so close was a great achievement.

It was a quick turnaround for the Warriors, as they were back on the pitch to take on the Bumble Bees in the second clash of the competition. The Bradford side was the first to get on the board, with full back Andy Boote touching down after a great break by inside centre Stephen John.

Warriors worked their way into the Bees’ half but just as winger Rowlands was diving for the line, he was bundled into touch by the well-organised Bees defence. But soon after, No 8 Gwilym Lewis dived over to bring the scores level at 5-5.

The Bees displayed great team work, with the ball moving through many hands before it found Hodgeson, who flew over for a converted try. They moved up a gear after half-time when outside centre James Moore scored under the posts. The conversion took the final score to 5-19.

With the three main teams taking a breather, the Clan under-18s took to the field to play an exciting sevens game against Grange under-18s. The Clan ran in five tries to their opponents’ three, winning the entertaining encounter 31-19.

The sun beat a retreat for the final match of the tournament, which saw the Clan locked in a tussle with the Bumble Bees. The Scots team got off to a quick 12-0 lead, with two tries and a conversion. The Bees were pressing hard, but the Clan showed great skill not only at the line-out but also in the rucks to get some valuable turnovers.

However, Bees flanker Martino Corazza got his team on the score sheet with a quick pick-up from the scrum and a dive under the posts. It was easily converted to take the Bees within five points of the Clan.

Both teams were still enthusiastic after a long afternoon of high octane rugby, but it was the Bradford side that was racking up the points, nabbing yet another try just after half-time to bring the scores level.

The Clan banded together to roll over the opponents’ try-line but the Bees were just too strong and managed to hold them up twice. Despite more good work at the line-out and in defence, the Bees had the final say, grabbing a converted try at the death to win 12-19.

THE BUMBLES VERSION OF EVENTS:
Saturday June 22nd and the Mighty bumbles were in Scottish Kilmarnock to face opposition old and new.

A beer ban had been put in place the night before by Manager Gooders but with only the goateed one adhering to the rules, the teams had began to get to know each other and rekindle old friendships/disputes over a few shandies.

First up were the two celtic teams. Marching out to bagpipes and through a Bumbles guard of honour, there was anticipation, trepidation and rivalry. Then the game kicked off andll thoughts of friendship were eradicated as each of the three teams had one eye on the Trophy.

With the Clan and the Warriors being Celtic cousins there was a real readiness to send the Saxons (and Celtic spy) back to Yorkshire dragging their chariots behind them and both wanted to send a message in this opening game. With the Bumbles watching eagerly, both started well with an early score by the welsh as inside centre Neil parker almost collapsed during a 40m sprint to the line before finally running out of steam in the try zone. Try scored but damage done.

In a see saw game full of big hits, turnovers and great play by the likes of Stephen Frew and Paul Johnstone for the clan and Richard Evans, Eric Horridge and Ryan Morgan for the Warriors. Perhaps the biggest player though was Huw “the Flash” Jenkins who was using some serious skill playing two blonde Yorkshire girls on the sidelines.

The game was decided in the last minute by a penalty for the Welsh which sailed over for a 13-12 win.

The marker had been set and the Warriors had a win and much confidence going into their game with the Yorkshire outfit.

But this was no ordinary Bumbles team. It was a team with the fire of the welsh still burning them from one wet and dreary night in march. A team with a point to prove and a score to settle.

With the warriors brimming with confidence it was the mighty Bumbles who took the game to the warriors in the early stages. The forwards were in fine form and with pick and go, support play and ball protection worked at specifically since March, there was plenty of clean ball for the back and after feeding the ball down the line at pace and the Celtic bumble being stopped just short of the line, debutant Bumble Andy Boote was on hand for the offload and a simple 5metre finish.

With the extras not added, the Bumbles knew they had to score again and soon but it was the evergreen ( some would say Mouldy) Gwilym Lewis who touched down to tie the scores. Game on!

With Andy Boote going off with an ankle injury ( he is learning rugby is a mans game) Lisiate Tafa came on for the Bumbles to play at Scrum half and other changes were soon influencing the game. Robert Cannon was making try saving tackles, and the man mountain Michael Strathie was using all of his massive physique, combining with Lee Hainswiorth to add more than 40 Stone of man Power to the already impressive forwards. Half of that total thumped the Warriors try scorer to the ground in what was a textbook tackle. A memory for years to come.

After a series of charges by the forwards the ball was popped up to Mighty Martin Hodgson who finished from 20m for the lead. Kevin Pringle kicked the points to put the bumbles 12-5 in the Lead at half time.

More changes followed for both teams and with Jamie Evans struggling to gain a yard for the Warriors, Eric Horridge, Chris Morgan and karl Davies were having to take the lead. Liam Carpenter in particular going close after many phases of great play

The Bumbles defence held firm and, James Moore was on hand to race over the line after a series of line breaks and offloads by the slick handed backline. Ryan Kirby added the extras for a great win against a valiant and determined Welsh team.

The game ties the series 2-2 with the Welsh, and sets things up nicely going into next years game at the Hive.

The Clan had been taking note of the win and were next up for the magnificent Bumbles. Whether it was tiredness or overconfidence, or more likely just superb play by the Clan, the Bumbles found themselves 12-0 down after only 10 minutes.

They were shell shocked and looked in real danger of suffering a real beating. But this team has trained hard together, worked together and fought together for quite some time now and testament to their work was the spirit shown to fight back to score, with Martin Hodgson pummelling his way through for a score. Converted by Lee Hainsworth.

A stirring half time team talk the coaches and a different team started the second half. Most of the players were the same but the intensity was ramped up to a level they’d not reached before. Gooders senior was making superb tackles, Dan Cookson was bouncing people onto the turf and Lisiate tafa, oved to Scrum half was seeing plenty of ball, eventually charging over to make the score 12-12. Kick unsuccessful.

5 minutes remained and with injuries mounting, Mark "50 shades" Grey, Ahsan Sakander, Jagtar Bahra, Michael "Tigger" Steadman, Rupert Spode and others were leading the way, getting hands on the ball and arms around the legs of the opposition.

The Clan continued to impress in what was only their second game, and were close to drawing with a more established team until utility back Ben Hall Raced clear to touch down in the last five minutes.

With the clan pushing for the points they needed, Martino “the Italian love machine” Corazza and George Morris were turning ball over, Darryl “the Goat” Wilson, alex Smith and Gooders Junior were making the hits and Simon Myers was running around tirelessly.

With time ticking away, nerves were jangling but from a scrum, the Bumbles cleared the ball into touch for an Historic, hard fought win against a Clan team who should be immensely proud of the way they played in only their second game ever.

Every bumbles player should be congratulated for bringing the Tri Unions trophy (Ahsans head) back to Yorkshire and can now look forward to defending against the Scots and Welsh in the next tournament!

Thanks to Kilmarnock RFC for wonderful hospitality and a very successful tournament.

To the Warriors and Clan, we look forward to raising the profile of inclusive rugby with you and renewing friendships/rivalries very soon.