With the 15-a-side season getting longer every year, tournaments have been few and far between for the Carmarthen Warriors 7s team so far this summer.

Whilst the men have been taking a break after Bournemouth and their success at the Vet’s Flanders event, the Flamingoes Ladies launched their season with a visit to the inaugural South West 7s in Bristol.

Unfortunately this new tournament was poorly supported with only two teams entered.

Despite this, the Flamingoes put up three entertaining performances against a good Gloucester Uni side, going down 2-1 in a best of three play-off series.

However, this proved to be a great warm up for the popular New Quay Surf 7s the following week.

Playing in a four-team pool, the Flamingoes first disposed of Worcester. They then fell to another well-organised student side in the Lufbrabaabaas - but a resounding 45-3 win against Leicester Ladies saw them progress to the semi finals.

The Welsh side made a slow start against Miss Leopards and were always chasing the game. Despite a resurgence in the second half, with a try by Kidwelly’s Keely Evans, they lost 24-5.

Flamingoes captain Natalie Walsh was upbeat after the tournament and immediately put in an entry for the following week’s Frome 7s, keen to keep the momentum going.

The pool draw was unkind to the girls however, drawn with tournament favorites Cardiff Met.

Playing against a number of their club and regional colleagues, the Flamingoes lost the first game against The Met.  A win over Scotty’s Tigers however saw them progress to the semi final of the Plate competition.

A comfortable victory against Worthing gave the Flamingoes their first chance of silverware for 2015 - as only Irish side St Mary’s stood between them and the Plate.

In a one sided affair, the superior speed and skill of the Welsh side saw them seal the Frome Plate.

Both Walsh and team manager Sara Davies said they were pleased with their teams progress this season and since their formation two years ago.

"Hopefully, we’re making a name for ourselves in Ladies 7s rugby,"said Walsh.

"Our obvious link with the Warriors has helped, but we are quickly becoming recognised as a team to be respected in our own right."

Over the three tournaments the core of the Flamingoes squad has come from the successful Whitland Ladies side, supplemented by some of the best players from other South Wales clubs.

Next up for the Flamingoes, will be the 10th Beach Rugby Wales event, where the girls will look to defend their title and take the trophy for the third year in succession.

Meanwhile , this coming Saturday their male counterparts, the Warriors, head to the Creative Rugby 7s in Llanidloes, with a very strong side.

Flamingoes Squad (all tournaments): Natalie Walsh, Sara Davies, Alice James, Angharad Williams, Becca Norris , Heather Rees, Rhian McCulloch, Gemma Robinson (all Whitland), Ellie Norkett (Skewen) Keely Evans, Karen Mayze (Kidwelly), Jenny Hawkins ( Llandaff North).