Although played in good spirit the annual clash between Betws and the Llanelli Warriors was a very competitive affair this season. The scores were nip and tuck with the result only secured at the death.

The end of season run out saw Betws hand 1st team debuts to several players while the Warriors featured a new look back line to compliment a very settled pack.

Whilst the early exchanges were hardly cautious, both teams happy to have a go from deep, neither side made any headway as the game settled down. Early nervousness and indiscipline helped maintain the stalemate although Andrew Davies dominated the line out for the Warriors whilst Ian Davies kept Betws on the front foot.

The Warriors seemed over keen to drive lineouts which Betws generally dealt with well with the Griffiths brothers Paul and Richard doing the unglamorous work. Nathan Lawson was busy for the Warriors but the stalemate continued until late in the first half. Both sides were looking dangerous when the ball was moved, Steffan James often the catalyst for Betws and eventually sharp centre Josh Thomas found an opening and crossed.

The Warriors backs were also starting to enjoy themselves, the half back partnership of youth scrum half Craig James and grizzled veteran dean Gilasbey was starting to click allowing centers Chris Andrews and Nathan Murphy to test the Betws defences. It was Gilasbey that evened things up when he capitalised on good work from the pack and scuttled over.

So all square at the break the second half was also very close. Jamie Evans all but scored for Betws and Gareth Ladd had some strong runs on the wing, whilst Ben Kitson worked hard for the visitors and Dai Carpenter impressed with his durability in what was often a very physical contest.

Betws finally got some daylight between the sides with two scores, Steff James getting one and a block buster effort from Alun Stephens but the Warriors came back through former Betws back rower Simon Jenkins who muscled his way through several opponents to score and also kicked a penalty. James Jeffery scorched down the wing to restore the Betws lead late in the game but with no conversion it was still all to play for. Both teams lived off their nerves for the last few minutes but eventually the Warriors forced a scrum in the Betws 22 and Dylan Harris rounded off a sweeping move (and fine personal display) for the Warriors. That left just the crucial conversion to be kicked and up stepped Simon Day who showed no hint of nerves to kick the points and win the game.

Both sides will have been pleased with their effort and will hope to meet in the Warriors 7s next Saturday in Burry port.

Warriors: Dylan Harris, Ben Kitson, Chris Andrews, Nathan Murphy, Simon Day, Dean Gilasbey, Craig James, Darren Pollitt, Steve Rees, Dai Carpenter, Andrew Davies (Cpt), John Horwood, Nathan Lawson, Simon Jenkins, Gwilym Lewis.

Tries: Harris, Jenkins, Gilasbey. Conversions: Davies, Rees, Day. Penalty: Jenkins.

Betws: James Jeffery, Gareth Ladd, Josh Thomas, Dion Mitchell-Lewis, Tony Whittaker, Mark Rewston, Alun Stephens, Cellan Davies, Richard Griffiths, Paul Griffiths, Ian Davies, Kieran Morgan, Steffan James, Luke Pearce, Ashley Jones.

Tries: James, Thomas, Stephens, Jeffery. Conversion: Paul Griffiths

Man Of The Match: Simon Jenkins