Mixed Ability Rugby

Tumble 27 Llanelli Warriors 44

Llanelli Warriors, mixed ability side which includes individuals with a learning disability, claimed an impressive win over Tumble despite the conditions.

John Horwood marked his landmark 200th appearance with a man-of-the-match performance.

Despite the heavy conditions, both teams were determined to move the ball and the tries flowed throughout.

The Warriors welcomed debutant Ben Kitson to the side and he played well on the wing while veteran Meredith Pugh completed his comeback with a fine game at prop.

Tumble used the opportunity to experiment as Richard Evans led a team showing a mixture of 1st, 2nds and Youth players, with many experimenting with positions.

Not surprisingly then, the Warriors looked more cohesive and James Jefferies got them off to the perfect start with a run from deep under the posts. Simon Jenkins added the extras.

Live-wire captain Andrew Davies tore loose to follow and the Warriors already had a healthy lead.

Tumble began to settle with half-back Steff Owens and James Stephens determined to move the ball, but it was the Warriors who claimed the next scores as Nathan Lawson scampered over and then prop Mark Lewis added another.

Sion Williams opened the Magpies account as he finished off a flowing move and Ifan Davies followed shortly after in the home team's best period. Richard Evans improved both scores to keep Tumble within sight.

The Warriors had the last word when Gwilym Lewis just made the line.

With both sides having dominated spells of the first half, the second period was a much more even affair.

The Warriors showed plenty of grunt up front with Dai Carpenter, Darren Pollitt and Davies rucking well while Tumble continued to look to go wide and were unlucky on several occasions as Steve Rees, Dafydd Humphries and Carl Hardy all did well.

Jamie Evans sliced through for a neat try while Liam Tobias' strong running initiated a great Warriors sweep that saw Tony Whittaker cross with his second involvement.

Despite some good defence from Horwood and Day, Tumble matched the Warriors in the second half.

Kieran Morgan, who had looked a potent threat all game flew over in the corner and the last word went to Tumble skipper Evans - the hosts' best player - who crashed over for the final score of an exciting match.

Horwood became the first Warrior to make 200 appearances for the club - an incredible feat for the 53-year-old with autism who had never played the game before the formation of the Warriors in 1995, by which time he was already in his 30s.

The Warriors will be playing at Cardiff Arms Park for a prestigious match before Wales face New Zealand at the weekend (KO at noon).