News

Laugharne RFC as `Larnie Evergreens` entered this competition for the first time and were pooled with `Wattstown Warriors, `Pembroke Barbarians` and `Carmarthen Druids` in a well organised event at Pembroke RFC and ended up worthy winners under the watchful eye of captain Robert Thomas. The entrance fee was £3-00 per head which was donated to a special cause, namely the `Ty Hafen` charity. 

 

  Normal IRB laws apply in such competitions but with certain amendments, for example, all scrums are passive, no driving mauls, all players to be no younger than 35 years old and various coloured shorts for those brave men being 50yrs + (yellow) and 60 yrs+(red). Two pools of 4 sides competed and the two sides with the most number of tries at the end of the competition to play off in a final.

 

 The evergreens played Carmarthen Druids in the first match and despite coming up against the finalists from last year`s competition beat them handsomely by 9 tries to 1 try with centre Barry John and flying wing Jamie Henthorn bagging a hat trick of tries apiece. Further tries were scored by scrum half Simon DuMayne, flyhalf Shaun Lynch and utility forward/back Robin Hussellbee.

 

  In their 2nd match they faced stiffer opposition against Wattstown Warriors and despite wing Henthorn laying down a marker with a scintillating opening try, they succumbed by 3 tries to 1 try with Wattstown `bossing` the game and denying the quicker Evergreen backs.

 

 However in the 3rd match they made amends for their woeful 2nd round performance by beating local side `Pembroke Barbarians` by 7 tries to 1 try with scrum half Lynch scoring a brace of tries and tries for flyhalf Andrew Williams, centres Barry John and Carl Stephenson, prop Andrew Phillips and that man Henthorn again.

 

 Having amassed more tries than any other team the `Evergreens` found themselves comfortably in the final this time up against the `Valley Barbarians` who were looking to win their 3rd final in a row. However, this time there was more resolve and determination from the `Evergreens` as they played with skill and pace. Flyhalf Andrew Williams gave a masterly display with a show and go to score the first try. This was followed up by a typical flanker/poachers try as Robin Hussellbee increased the lead with the 2nd try. With excellent support from the knowledgeable spectators and local players, the final try was fittingly scored by skipper Robert Thomas as the `Barbarians` had no answer to the pace and guile of the `Evergreens`!

 

For their efforts the `Evergreens` ran out worthy and popular winners and were presented with the `claret jug` as their trophy.

 

Alun Jenkins  Laugharne R.F.C.