Betws 24 Llanelli Warriors 34
There was a real occasion at Betws on Saturday where the Warriors were the visitors for the third annual Ryan4Leukaemia match when the Lewi Cup was contested.
In searing heat, it was a credit to both teams that the game was not only played, but was a quality contest with some good skills on show.
It seemed to take a while for the two sides to acclimatise to the conditions but from the off, the ball was swung across the park and emphasis from both teams was on attacking.
The Warriors pressed in the first quarter but took their time in getting a breakthrough. Resolute defence from Betws frustrated the visitors but eventually Iestyn Thomas drove over to score on his debut.
From there the scores went back and forth. In such an open game the back three players for both sides; Simon Day, Jordan Thomas, James Anthony, Nic Dcruz, Cain Rodwell and Anthony Higgins saw plenty of possession and were able to show off their paces. They all had their moments and Higgins was later named man of the match.
Anthony got the first Betws score but James Evans crossed for the Warriors soon after to maintain the lead.
Veterans Dylan Rees (Betws) and Gwilym Lewis (Warriors) pulled the strings for their respective sides in a quality contest at scrum half and both packs seemed to enjoy having the ball in their hands, plenty of galloping second rows on offer.
Richard Griffiths, Cellan Davies and Gareth Lewis all had their moments for Betws while Matthew Miller and Shaun Allen showed up well for the Warriors.
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It took until the final quarter for the Warriors to get more than a score ahead, Simon Day doing enough to get around his man and then Dan John rounding off a flowing move on the wing.
Gerald Thomas for a late score for Betws to briefly fuel hope, but with the last move of the game Warriors flanker Yanis Whitely found a gap and sped over from fully 60m to secure a Warriors win.
With former players attending the event and it also being a Lewi Cup match, it made for a real sense of occasion and over £300 was raised for Ryan4Leukaemia.
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