The Warriors signed off from 2016 on a high note by retaining the Origin Cup in an entertaining game at the memorial Park. It rounded off a great Xmas period for the club with the Reds having beaten the Blues in their Annual inter club match just a few days earlier.

One might have expected a free flowing game with plenty of good will but whilst thee was very little conservative play, there was plenty of attrition. For all the exciting attack play there were plenty of big hits going in with Dylan Evans (Burry Port), Ryan Morgan and Darren Pollitt (Warriors) all making notable tackles.

Early stages were pretty even, the Ruddals looked sharp for Burry Port whilst Tom Edwards was a constant threat for the Warriors. With the Warriors back row; Lewis, Jones and Ladd working hard some room was finally worked for Warriors fly half Craig James to open the scoring.

It was end to end stuff for a bit, the Blacks hit back with a close worked try for Andrew Richards before a fine flowing movement, with the crucial break made by man of the match Tom Ashour who put James through for his 2nd. Kerr smartly converted this but back came Burry Port as Richards also grabbed a second. The home team pressed hard to take the lead but a committed Warriors defense frustrated them several times. Eventually Gravell struck an impressive drop goal to bring them to within a point.

The second half was similarly close fought with Gary James and Paul Silva getting stuck in for Burry Port whilst Ivan Albrightson, John Horwood and Nathan Murphy stuck out for the Warriors. Both sides scored through cross field kicks, Darren Pullman for Burry Port 1st and then Morgan for the Warriors. Powerful prop Liam Tobias got the Warriors a little daylight and then into the closing quarter Craig James completed a hatrick.

Just as the Warriors looked to relax, flying wing Simon Day crossed out wide and then with time running out Dafydd Morgan finally got over for a score to put the game back in the balance.
Burry Port gathered the kick off but a knock on gave the Warriors the scrum and from it Gwilym Lewis gratefully hoofed the ball into touch to ensure the Warriors held the silverware.

Warriors: Ivan Albrightson, Jon Kerr, Tom Edwards*, Nathan Murphy, Ryan Morgan, Craig James, Gwilym Lewis, Liam Tobias, Richard Evans (Cpt), Tom Ashour, John Horwood, Darren Pollitt, Jordan Jones, Ronan Lewis, Gareth Ladd.

Traitor in chief - Simon Day.
Linesman - Jason Jenkins, Referee - Colin
* Debut

A cracking match, again great fun to play in, especially as more and more of the team are familiar with each other. Good to see young Morgan finally get over after being held up several times, even if he did need a passing by with the dog TMO decision. Lots of good performances from the Warriors point of view but it says a lot about how well Sideshow Tom played that he was named man of the match even with Craig Shed scoring a hatrick.

Not sure if Richard used his status as stand in Captain when he pulled later on in the evening!!