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Dai Thomas - Junior Rugby Coordinator

Last Sunday we hosted Waundellwyn Division under 12, under 13, under 14, under 16 level and achieved the following results.

UNDER 12s: Drew 19 all. This was their first taste of playing on a full pitch and they appeared to be quite at home. As the result suggests, it was an evenly matched game.

UNDER 13s: Won 36-31. This game was a very keen contest with the lead changing hands several times. However it was left to winger Chris Thomas to secure victory with a lovely weaving run to the corner to score the winner. However the victory was established by a good team effort.

UNDER 14s: Won 50-15. This was a thoroughly convincing win against a team which contained a number of under 15s players (by arrangement). I am informed that some of the tries scored were 'Crackers'.

UNDER 16s: Lost 34-0. This game was a closer game than it suggests. Our side, despite containing a number of under 15s players, battled it out gradually against a big well-drilled Waundellwyn pack. Our lads did themselves proud and I'm sure they will learn from their experience.

So to all the lads that played for the Drover teams last Sunday - well done.

Fixtures for 13 September 1998:
U14 & U11 v Tumble (Away)
U13 v Tycroes (Away)
U12 v Tumble (Home)

This Sunday, 11 October, sees all the Mini and Junior sides playing:
Home games: U8, U10 & U13 v Penygroes; U11 v Amman Utd; U14 v New Dock Stars
Away games: U9 & U12 Rugby Festival Kidwelly; U9 & U16 v Gorseinon

From the start of the Junior Drovers some six seasons ago it was the forward thinking and vision of the organisers to provide rugby for Junior players right up to youth level. It is an objective which has now been achieved through a lot of commitment and hard work by all concerned, so well done everybody. However complacency must not be allowed to prevail, and our aims must be for the future to keep the momentum going, to provide enjoyment and success to our players and club.

Enough said about that, let's get on to the Sunday results, our main assets, the players and teams. U8, U10, U11 and U13 played Penygroes at Church Bank. U8 and U10 lost narrowly. The U11s in fact played against two teams, Penygroes turning up with their team unexpectedly. Thanks to John Walters's organisational skills each team played a round robin system against each other which went down well with players and supporters. The U13s had a good win against a side which contained a number of older boys. The U14s played against New Dock Stars, which resulted in a good win for our team, 7 tries to 3 tries. I'm told that this was a particularly good game and rugby was the winner.

The U9 and U12s played in a 10-a-side Rugby Festival at Kidwelly. Neither side was able to qualify from their pool group. The U12s missed out by one point. Nevertheless a good effort from all.

The U15 and U16s played at Gorseinon, with U15s having their first outing of the season and coming away with a good victory. The U16s due to lack of players entertained Gorseinon in what is described as a game of "SUPER 12S". They were far too steady for Gorseinon and ran out winners by a large margin.

So everybody who played last Sunday, well done for your efforts.

This Sunday will see a large gathering of young players at Church Bank, eight teams in all. U8, U9, U10, U11 and U15s v Llangennech, U12 and U14s v Llandeilo. With this number of games, it will provide a big challenge to the club not only on the field but off the field. However we are fortunate with the facilities we have and I have no doubt we will manage the situation.

Both on the players' side and organisational side the day proved a success, which was also aided by the beautiful Autumn sunshine. What more could we ask for?

The U8, U9, U10, U11, U13 and U15s entertained Llangennech. U8s won by two tries to nil, thus recording their first win of the season. U9s lost their game by five tries to two tries, but appear to be improving with every game. Keep your spirit up lads. U10s won a well contested game, which resulted in some of our boys scoring their first tries for the club. Well done. U11s won by a convincing margin and were too good on the day in all compartments for the opposition. However, credit to the opposition, they battled to the very end. U13s lost 35-17 in a game which saw contesting styles from both sides, Llangennech having the fire power in the backs and on the other hand Llandovery having their forwards driving on. U15s won by a large margin and were too strong for the Llangennech side. I'm informed that Gary Hearne (Prop) scored a hat-trick of tries. Well done all the team.

U12 and U14s played against our local rivals Llandeilo. U12s won two tries to nil, a thoroughly entertaining game with end to end rugby being played. Emyr Evans in his new role as scrum half nipped in for a try, as did flying machine Gareth James. U14s won by 17-5. This game was a very keenly contested affair with both sides evenly matched, as has been the norm over the years with these two sides. In the end it was left to the Junior Drover forwards to pave the way for victory, so a good effort by all.

So thanks to all our players for providing a feast of good rugby and also thanks to the referees. Without your support, well the games won't be played. To the catering and bar staff, a big effort was required to feed 260 plus children and satisfy their thirst. Well done.

This Sunday we have no matches, owing to District Development days, which for some players is the start to gaining representative honours. Speaking of representative honours, congratulations to Martin John for his selection to Dyfed U16s squad, Gary Hearne Dyfed U15s squad and Dinefwr U15s squad. Rhys Davies U15s squad. Also a number from our U11s side are in the Dinefwr Schools U11s squad. Their names I will provide at a later date.

Finally a speedy recovery to Ben Bourne (U14), Dean Augustus (U14) who picked up injuries on Sunday and to Paul Orsen (U10 coach) who broke a finger while playing on Saturday.

However last Sunday one game did survive, that being the Under 11s game against Cwmgors at Church Bank. The conditions were near perfect despite the previous day's heavy Rugby and both sides played some entertaining Rugby.

I was fortunate to be able to watch the latter part of the second half and was impressed by the play of Elgan Hughes and Aled Davies, the two smallest of our players. Both tackled their hearts out and Aled rounded off his game by scoring a try which any winger would be proud of. But the most outstanding player for me was Tim Davies. He was a valuable asset on the day to his team owing to his high work rate and the countless tackles he made.

So well done you lads, keep the good work up. Your contribution and that of your team provides the base for another victory for your side.

This weekend sees the Junior Drovers in plenty of Rugby action. Saturday morning the U8, U9, U10, U11 and U13s will be entertaining Clwb Rygbi Caerdydd in our annual fixtures against them. On Sunday the U14s are playing in a 15-a-side tournament at Narberth, while the U16s are playing at Church Bank against Haverfordwest. Let's hope the weather will allow us to get fully back on track.

It can be said that the U13 and U15 played on a pitch which could be described as no more than a bog.

The U8 and U10 played Tycroes at Church Bank which resulted in a win for the U8s and a loss for the U10s. However I'm told that the U10s put in a very creditable second half performance.

It was left to the U14s to be the pick of the day's performances and they were able to achieve an excellent result by coming away from Llanelli with a win. It would appear that our pack laid the foundation for the victory with some fine forward play.

So well done lads to all teams for your efforts last weekend.

This Sunday will see the start of District "F" representative games at U12, U13, U14 and U16 and I'm pleased to announce that the Junior Drovers have players in each squad. So all the very best to you.

At U12 level our representatives were Aled Walters and Emyr Phillips. At U13 Dafydd Thomas was our sole representative. At U16 level Simon Pengelly, Martin Jones, Stephen Roberts, Chris Thomas and Luke Charteris all played their part in an impressive victory. Well done to you all, you were a credit to the club.

This Sunday sees a number of our mini and junior teams in action. The U8, U10, U11 and U12 are playing against Llandybie away. The U13 and U14 are away to Loughor. And finally the U15 are at home to Loughor. So the best of luck to you all.

The U12, U11, U10 and U8s were at Llandybie and achieved the following results. U8s drew 5-5, with Telor Dyer getting the try for us. This age group is developing with each game and under the guidance of Mr Dai Gealy, Dai Dyer and John Hughes I'm sure they will go from strength to strength. Thank you gentlemen for your efforts.

U10s lost 31-26, which suggests a close game and a much better performance, so keep battling on. U11s won their game by a large margin. This side is continuing to impress and play open running rugby. The U12s won their game 35-32 which, because of their opposition's lack of players, was reduced to 7 a side, played over a number of periods. However nevertheless all of our players had a game.

The U13s were at Loughor, as were the U14s. The U13s won by a convincing margin, with Johnathon Hall picking up four tries. The U14s continued their winning ways with a comprehensive victory over their opposition on a field which was no more than a bog, which for the opposition assisted in keeping the score down.

This Sunday sees the Junior Drovers playing Narberth at Church Bank at U13, U14 and U15 levels. So as this will be the last Junior Drovers news before the festive season, may I take this opportunity to thank everybody for their efforts with the Junior Drovers so far this season and wish you all a very merry Christmas and a prosperous new year.

Finally I am reliably informed that our first overseas player is on his way to Llandovery, that being James McNab, son of Director of Coaching Duncan McNab. So James we look forward to seeing you, and joining our U13s squad.

The U13s lost quite heavily six tries to nil. I am informed that it was a lacklustre display by our side, so lads the commitment and effort has to increase in the new year. The talent and ability you all have, so let's put it into practice. The U14s had their hardest test of the season against a good Narberth side - the result was a 7-7 draw. The U15s lost their game, although it was a good entertaining game. So well done everybody.

Last Sunday saw a number of our players represent District F against Pembrokeshire. At U12 level, Aled Walters and Emyr Phillips played in the victory for our district. At U13 level Dafydd Thomas played, as well as Gareth Carpenter at U14 level. At U16s level we had three representatives, Martin Jones, Steven Roberts and Simon Pengelly. Martin and Steven scored tries, which helped the district secure a hard-fought victory.

By the time you have read this we will have all had our Christmas dinner and will be starting to think about the second half of the season. Our thoughts should be focused on attending training and games regularly, encouraging your friends to join us and be proud of the facilities and honour to play for the Junior Drovers. You lads are the future of our club, which I have no doubt will be providing rugby at all ages for many years to come. Firstly to any adults out there who wish to lend a helping hand with the Juniors, please do not hesitate to come along and be part of our success.

In the mini section U8, U10 and U11 our guests were Carmarthen Quins. In the U8s our youngsters were victorious, even though we had to lend some players to the opposition. The U10s unfortunately lost quite heavily, but battled on to the end. The U11s game was limited to seven a side owing to some late withdrawals because of the sickening bug which has been going around of late. The result was a narrow defeat for our side.

The U13s entertained Tycroes at home. This game proved to be an evenly matched contest, which saw contrasting styles between the both sides. It was left to the forwards to secure the victory, with some direct running and inter passing which was of a very high standard despite the muddy conditions. Final result, 38-24 to the Junior Drovers.

The U16s took on the might of Tumble at Church Bank, Tumble being one of the strongest sides in our district. Despite fielding a number of U15s players in our side, the whole side put up a creditable performance before losing 35-5, a score which was not a true reflection of the game as whole.

So well done to all the teams, keep it up.

SEE THE LATEST NEWS PAGE FOR INFORMATION ON AN EASTER TOUR TO FRANCE FOR THE U15S.

The mini section is developing quite nicely, and they seem to be enjoying their Tuesday nights training in the college gym. However despite good numbers in training, some players are not turning up for games which is disappointing for their fellow teams, coaches and the opposition.

The junior section again has a good number training, with the exception of the U15s and U16s. However, there is a tendency for players not to turn up without letting anybody know. I would therefore appreciate it if you cannot play please telephone either your coach, Helen or Dai.

Enough doom and gloom, let's look on the bright side. Last Sunday the U8, U9, U10, U11 and U13s travelled to Llangennech. The U8s and U10s won their games by large scores. Unfortunately the U9, U11 and U13s lost. The U14s travelled to Llandeilo and on the day were well beaten. It was a question of a team wanting to win and a team hoping to win. Nevertheless the Club can be proud of all your efforts.

The U16s, which contained a number of U15s, played Bonymaen at Church Bank. The pitch was extremely heavy, and it was a well fought game, which the Junior Drovers won in the last minute with a Neil Manning penalty. So well done everybody. I was pleased with the commitment shown in difficult conditions. Finally, a speedy recovery to Rhys Davies, who injured his arm in the match.

Well done everybody.