Carmarthen Warriors brought their sevens season to a grand conclusion on Bank Holiday Sunday when they won the Aberaeron Sevens for a remarkable sixth time in eight years, writes Huw S Thomas.

The Warriors, who continue to travel up and down England and Wales in successful search of sevens honours under the canny management of captain Arwel Davies, beat newcomers Penallta 21-17 to claim the Bill James Memorial Cup and the generous four-figure prize.

Penallta had caused the two biggest shocks of the day when they pipped the Warriors 15-14 at the pool stage and in the first of the semi-finals turned over tournament favourites Ponty Butchers 10-7.

The Butchers had recently won the Swindon and Corby Sevens but the extra speed of the boys from Ystrad Mynach got them home after tries by wing Ryan Davies and fly-half Josh Scrivens.

In the other semi-final, the Warriors, shaken by the defeat at the hands of Penallta had to work hard to overcome Bargoed 21-12 and had much to thank Fishguard's James Griffiths and Narberth's Tomi Jones for crucial try saving tackles.

Tries from Newcastle Emlyn's Shaun Leonard, Narberth flyer Johnny Morgan and the impressive Griffiths trumped Bargoed efforts from Lee Pearson and Luke Ellaway.

In the final the Warriors faced Penallta for the second time of day and the Division One East side looked as if they might repeat their earlier win when they led the Warriors 12-7 at the break.

Tries from Arwel Robson and Scrivens had bettered a converted Leonard touchdown.

But a yellow card for a dangerous tackle reduced Penallta to six men and the defending champions under the astute guidance of evergreen Whitland scrum-half Andrew Jenkins and Tomi Jones struck immediately with another converted try from Leonard to go ahead 14-12.

Morgan then strode way to cross from 60 metres for a third converted try to put the Warriors clear and a late effort from Mike Adams was too late to save a brave Penallta who at least had the consolation of seeing 19-year-old Ryan Davies get the Player of the Tournament award.

Newcastle Emlyn who lost by just 14-7 to the Warriors at the pool stage came through strongly in the Plate to outplay Nantgaredig 22-0 with tries from Dan Davies, Alun Howells, Mike Jones and Bleddyn Davies.

Local side Aberaeron showed flashes of promise at the pool stage and played their best rugby of the day to lose narrowly to powerful Bargoed 14-12 after tries from Joel Knott and Owen Williams

Semi-finals: Penallta 10 Ponty Butchers 7; Warriors 21 Bargoed 12

Final: Warriors 21 Penallta 17