THE Carmarthen Warriors Ladies continued their seaside dominance by winning the 2017 Beach Rugby Wales tournament in Swansea last Saturday.
In 2013, the Warriors debuted and won in their first ever national beach event – and since then, have reached the final every year except in 2016 when they ended up as Plate winners.
Again this year, Ladies captain Natalie Walsh assembled a very strong squad for the competition, keen to reclaim the main trophy again.
With dark clouds gathering over Mumbles the girls took to the sand against Pencoed Phoenix.
As the sun broke through so did Bethan Davies, Brittony Price and Heather Rees, taking the Warriors Ladies to a 4-0 victory.
They saw off the Barry Bombettes in their next pool game, with a 10-0 hammering.
With team numbers reduced due to the weather and the constraints of the Swansea Bay tide, the Warriors progressed comfortably 5-1 through a semi-final against Valley Vixens – setting up a final with another pre-tournament favourite, the Ponty Butchers.
In the final the class of the Warriors on the sand came through as Bethan Davies crossed between the posts to register an early two-point try. Despite some resolute defence by the Butchers, it was the ever present Brittony Price who put the game beyond doubt and the Warriors ran out 3-0 winners.
At the presentations, main Sponsor Clare Stevens of SMR, helped lift the massive wooden trophy with skipper Natalie Walsh.
“It’s great to be back where it all started for us, with a strong team, said Walsh.
“2017 has been a fantastic year for all Warriors teams and we’re very happy to end our campaign by winning here.
“We’re also pleased to have only let in one try all day.”
The Warriors name will be added to the roll of honour along with that of another West Wales side – Haverfordwest Ladies, who defeated Pencoed in the Plate final to pick up their first Beach Rugby silverware.
Only two tournaments remain for the Warriors this year as the men head to Bristol next weekend, and then Aberaeron at the end of August.
As ever the latter will be an end of season celebration where all sponsors, supporters and players past and present, will be very welcome.
Warriors Ladies: Brit Morgan (Seven Sisters); Brittony Price (Penybanc Panthers); Katie Thicker; Natalie Walsh; Heather Rees Whitland); Bethan Davies (Caernarfon); Angharad Williams (Tumble); Keely Evans (Burry Port); Kath Salter (Cardiff Met); Ffion Jones (Penybanc Panthers).
Haverfordwest Ladies: Nina Colville, Lisa Neumann, Jo Price, Awen Prysor, Lyn Egelstaff, Clodagh Llewhellin, Ceri Coleman-Phillips.
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