Magor Manage Warriors

The Warriors faced their 100th opponents but found Magor tougher than average.

This fixture saw another landmark for the Warriors, Magor RFC was the 100th club they have played, and fittingly they had a good turnout of nearly 30 players. It wasn't enough though and Magor powered through for victory.

The Magor team have a nice blend of old head and youngsters and they played canny rugby to secure the win. Physically the bigger side across the team, they also had some nice hands with several offloads coming when the Warriors could reasonably have thought they had stopped the movement. The Warriors tackled all game though, and certainly played a full part in an enthralling game.

The early stages saw both sides trying to get their systems going. The Warriors probably edged this period but had nothing to show for their bright start. Magor scored a controversial try when the ball was hacked over the line and a scrambling Warriors defence was deemed not to have grounded the ball. There was no dispute about the 2nd and 3rd tries though. Again the Warriors were applying the pressure when Magor made a sharp outside break and beat a sleeping cover to score at the far end.

A third and fourth try came through strong running and good support play to leave the Warriors well adrift. They desperately needed to score and kept themselves in it when a series of forward drives allowed Tomos Hall to score from close range, 22-7 the half time score.

The Warriors were able to bring in fresh legs for the 2nd half and were generally more in the game. Players that did well included wings Jordan Cannon, Dylan Crolla and Thomas Ashour, Darren Pollitt made up for some mistakes with a couple of big tackles and Will Browne had a solid game a prop. The Warriors best player was novice Iaun Nicholson who belied his inexperience with an energetic performance with a number of impressive runs. With Dai Haines giving them some physicality the Warriors started to show what they had to offer. Centers Fussell and Kearney managed to power over for scores and scrum half Craig James made a lovely clean break to go under the posts.

Unfortunately for the Warriors Magor also kept scoring. Johnathan Griffiths got the pick of the scores as they continued to manipulate their physicality. The score line perhaps flattered the visitors a little but there was no argument about the result.

So another land mark for the Warriors and mixed ability rugby but no W to go with it.

Dan John (Gareth Ladd), Jordan Cannon (Dylan Crolla), Ben Winstanley (Johnathon Kearney), Ethan Walters (Adam Fussell), Thomas Ashour (Simon Day), Jamie Evans, Craig James, Youseff El Tawab (Colin Tacon, Will Browne), Richard Evans (James Duke), Gareth Emery (Dai Haines), John Horwood (Iuan Nicholson), Darren Pollitt, Nathan Lawson (Jordan Jones, Dan Grinter), Tomos Hall, Gwilym Lewis

Man of the Match Iuan. As well as scorers mentioned Darren and Iuan scored conversions.
Jordan Gringo and Adam Fussy made their 50th appearances. Jamie Evans equalled Johnathan 'Juice' Jones' record for matches at fly half.

A good solid game of rugby this one. Nice dry weather, a good firm pitch and even a decent crowd. Jamie proved his kicking consistency by missing touch again and there were some mixed performances but it was a good game against a quality team.

Chware teg to Magor who had 6 players pull out on the eve of the game and then their bus failed it's fitness test and so a bare XV had to come down by car. Ryan Bath, who necer misses a chance to play against the the Warriors came over to help them out and once their undertaker ("Digger") had got back from Bristol they were good to go! Not like the Warriors who had too many players! Great turn out of 27 fit players and well supported by the likes of Bambi and Lee Rowlands.

That only left us needing a ref. Derrick was on Dad duty after Kallum had a bang that morning and with Colin celebrating his 60th we were down to bare bones - or Gary Shed as he's otherwise known. Gary was ready almost straight after he had finished printing programs.

Thank goodness the game was on with major media conglomerate @Deadballline down at the park to watch us. Thanks for supporting Jo. It's great to be recognised as part of the local rugby community. For those who haven't seen it there is a classic "Hapus" interview on Instagram.

Thanks to the football for us of the changing rooms. Congratulations to Burry Port women on a fine win over previously unbeaten Bonymaen and as ever thanks to Burry Port RFC for the continued and continuous support.

All pics from Angharad, President Ieuan and Jo Deadballs