Pre-season friendly

Blaenau 76 Llanelli Warriors 14

The Warriors kicked off their 20th season with a trial match in Blaenau but apart from it being their earliest start it was a painful experience as they went down to their heaviest ever defeat.

The home team took the opportunity to go through their repertoire of moves and their superior organisation gave them a significant advantage. They started strongly, running well from the kick off and despite a committed Warriors defence the tries came at regular interval.

The Warriors – a multi-ability team including players with learning difficulties - were guilty of over-committing to rucks and being disorganised in defence, but will take solace that it always takes them some actual game time to rectify such problems and in the attitude of the team generally.

Despite the scoreline there were positives with Jefferies at full back making Blaenau work for every point and the commitment of forwards Darren Pollitt and captain for the day Richard Evans.

In attack the line-out worked well and Paul Davies was the pick of the runners up front. The backline was workmanlike and scored a quality try through wing Gareth Ladd – Pollitt added the extras - and another through busy scrum-half Jamie Evans, impressively improved by Tony Whittaker.

They Warriors stuck to the task manfully throughout with a positive team spirit prevalent.

For Blaenau they were obviously pleased with such an impressive start to the season with training time evidently paying dividends in the match. They seem to have enough strong runners on which they can base a game plan and they look forward next to the visit of Swansea RFC.

For the Warriors it was the start of what promises to be a busy 20th season which will see them play several exhibition matches, host an Irish side and make first visits to the Rhondda and Pembrokeshire.

The club have now relocated to Burry Port RFC and invite anyone wishing to be involved to come along to training sessions on Sunday between 3.30pm and 5.30pm.