The Force is too strong for Warriors

The Llanelli Warriors went down to Cardiff Police Falcons at Llandaff on Saturday in a great advert for mixed ability rugby.

Cardiff Police Falcons 56 Llanelli Warriors 32

The Llanelli Warriors travelled to Llandaf RFC in Cardiff to play the Falcons side as part of an initiative to encourage an integrated side in the capital.

The game was certainly a fine advert for mixed ability rugby. Helped by a fine surface and dry conditions, both sides were able to play with width and move the ball across the field showing plenty of skill and endeavour.
The Police dominated early exchanges, breaking through for some early long range tries. Elliot Davies did some fantastic covering but his inexperience showed at times and lack of cover allowed the Falcons to strike.
Gavin Evans got the pick with a long solo run whilst Morgan Jones bagged two tries and added some extras.
The Warriors took a while to gel but quick thinking Nathan Lawson was combative as ever and forced his way over for the Warriors for two scores to keep the Warriors involved.
The second half started very quickly with the Warriors scoring immediately through Adam Fussell. Well led by Simon Davies it wasn’t long before the Police were on the front foot again and it wasn’t all backs either with hooker Box nabbing two tries. Tyler, Hutchings and Brandon also scored for the Police so the Warriors remained adrift despite a brace for the ever dangerous Nathan Murphy.
Newly elected Captain Richard Evans ensured that the Warriors kept battling with Rhys Evans, Darren Pollitt and Andrew Davies all doing well. The Warriors and especially Simon Day, finished strongly, the wing showed fantastic skill to collect a badly bouncing ball at full tilt and then a strong run took him past the cover and over for a try in the final move of the game.
Whilst the Warriors were obviously disappointed with the result it was pleasing to be involved in a hard match where they showed the again demonstrated that a learning disability needn’t be a barrier to playing rugby.
Captain Richard Evans said, “We did our best, hopefully we have shown people in Cardiff what mixed ability rugby is about, it was a hard match but that what we enjoy. It was a good day on and off the field and there were plenty of people watching, hopefully the next match will see people signing up as we’d love to see a team form in Cardiff.”
The 2nd game in the series will again be at Llandaff on Sunday 17th September when the Warriors will take on a WRU Select.

Llanelli Warriors: Elliot Davies, Ryan Morgan (Tom Ashour), Nathan Murphy, Adam Fussell, Simon Day, Jamie Evans, Gwilym Lewis, Will Browne (Colin Tacon), Richard Evans (Cpt) (Huw Jenkins), Mark Lewis (Gordon Blue), John Horwood, (Rhydian Williams), Andrew Davies (Darren Pollitt), Rhys Evans, Dai Haines, Nathan Lawson (Jordan Jones)

Ref Calvin Small

So an early trip to Cardiff and yet new ground and opposition: that's Saracens, Gwlad, Canton, Llanishen, Old Penarthians, Cardiff Arms Park, Cardiff Heath Hospital and now Llandaff/Cardiff Falcons.
As ever it was harder to assemble a team for an away game but eventually a decent squad was put together, though it did bear the usual hallmark of Warriors desperation: No 9: G Lewis

A lovely day for it, for once there were no issues going up and we even managed to watch a bit of Clwb Rygbi v Llandaff. Changing was cramped without use of the main rooms beforehand but there was plenty of time for a good warm up before the game started and whilst the Police mascots set up their stall.

The game was pretty quick and with a couple of speedsters missing and Elliot very much learning his trade at full back, line breaks tended to mean tries. The forwards habit of carrying the ball too high also came to haunt them as they lost a lot of ball in contact. Luckily superb ref Mr. Small realised that the Police were villains and gave a couple their matching orders.
The game was a good game of rugby with plenty of grunt but not taken too seriously. Nice to see Sideshow and Daydream catching the ball and Polly's throwing in was a revelation under the coaching of Lee. Everyone played their part and it was good to see Flash and Jumpin' both having runs.

Nice tries from the Nathans and Fussy who with Bambi were the standout players. John Horwood extended the club appearance record to 250 matches.

Afterwards there were lush pie and chips (if you could get past the security), free t-shirts for all and presentations to men of the match Nathan Lawless (chosen by Warriors, bottle of Shampagne) and Bambi, (chosen by Police, new hat).

A couple of pints and a quick bus home - job done!

Looking forward to the next one against WRU Select, it is all in place for a mixed ability side to form in Cardiff, if you know anyone who would be interested please let them know this is happening...

On field phtos from Gav's misses see above
On field photos from Dan Minto: http://www.danmintophotography.com/portfolio/G0000Lfl7ndZ0xcg
Off Field pictures here: https://secure.pitchero.com/account/photos/album/762940/