Junior Drovers Reports for 2009/10

The Junior Drovers’ forthcoming fixtures are published at the start of each season – see the ‘Junior Drovers’ link in the ‘On The Field’ menu tab on this website, which will be updated with new fixtures in September.

It’s not always possible for the busy parents and helpers of each team to provide reports, or even scores, for individual matches during the season, but where this proves possible we publish them on the Junior Drovers page.

Reports have now been written to cover the 2009/10 season as a whole, for each Junior Drover team, and are shown below.

Well done to all players, and to all coaches and supporters, who have continued to prove what a great community Club we are!

Junior Drovers under 8s section

2009/2010 - Season of Highs and lows

14 games – 6 wins and 8 lost

Coaches – Huw Thomas, Carwyn Mount ,Aled Davies, Carwyn Phillips

A difficult start to the season, with no wins from the first 6 games. There were some epic battles, with Brecon and Lampeter to name but a few. The coaches were under pressure and their contracts were at risk of being terminated. In November the boys pulled it around and we managed our first win at home, against Pontyberem, with some dubious refereeing decisions. There were celebrations all round and the club put on a free bar. This kick-started our season and the boys went from strength to strength, winning the next 5 games without loss.

We attended the Brecon Rugby Festival and did very well, narrowly missing out on a semi final place in a winner takes all game in which we lost to Builth Wells.

We have a core of 10 good rugby players going up to play under 9s next season with the younger element staying under the watchful eye of Carwyn Phillips, (hopefully). The new season will bring contact and tackling, therefore the boys have been given strict weights sessions to complete and a diet of protein shakes for the summer! We, as coaches, thank the boys for the efforts and the enthusiasm they showed this season and we all look forward to September and the challenges it brings.

Junior Drovers under 9s section

The under 9s have had a very successful year.

Outside of the tournaments we played 14 games, winning 10, drawing 3 and only losing 1.

In the Brecon tournament we were put in the group of death. We played some good hard rugby in the group stages. We beat Builth, drew with Britton Ferry but unfortunately lost to the 2 finalists - Llanishen and Pontypridd.

We lost in extra time in the final of the Lampeter tournament and went down 5-4 in the Kidwelly tournament final to Brecon. We had previously beaten Kidwelly, Tonmawr, Carmarthen Quins and Britton Ferry.

This has been our first year of full contact and our coaches say that we have adapted to this really well. We are just glad that we don't have to play against big Dyl every week.

We would like to thank our parents for taking us to training and all of the games, particularly when they have been out the night before.

We would also like to thank our fantastic coaches for giving up a lot of their spare time. We know we drive you mad at times but we have all really enjoyed this year. We hope you continue to coach us next year.

Thankyou very much.

Junior Drovers under 10s section

We, the Under 10s, have had yet another successful season this year. Considering the poor weather conditions, we managed to play 13 games, winning 7 and losing 6.

We feel we have developed as a squad and our skills and tactics are improving with every game we play.

We entered the Brecon tournament again this year. As usual, a tough competition. We lost the first 2 games but we gained strength and inspiration as the tournament went on, and won the last 2 games, narrowly missing playing in the semi-finals by just ONE try.

We won the Lampeter tournament for the second year running and enjoyed our day at Kidwelly tournament.

We would like to thank Stuart and John for their time and patience in coaching us and a big thank you of course to our Mums and Dads for taking us to training sessions and to every game and for supporting us wholeheartedly. This really means a lot to us. A big thank you from the under 10s.

Junior Drovers under 11s section

The season started off in a royal fashion with us all meeting the Prince of Wales.

This year our season was badly affected by the weather and by the unfortunate lack of players.

Those players who did play always gave a 100% and can be very proud of the way they played

With a squad of 10 players we played 8 matches. We won 3 & lost 5.

We would like to thank our Mums and Dads for taking us to training and to the matches on a Sunday morning. Without our Mums’ and Dads’ help we could not play. Thanks to our families and friends for shouting support from the touchline during the game.

Thank you Jean and John for the food after the game, it is the best food we have.

Thank you to the men for cleaning the changing rooms and cutting the pitches.

Thank you to Nikki and Shelly for all your hard work organising things.

Junior Drovers under 12s section

We won 4 games and lost 4. Due to bad weather we missed out on a lot of matches.

At the start of year we only had 10 players so some teams had loads of subs, so we would get tired but we got through it, and now we are 12.

I don’t think we would have got through this season without the support of our coaches, even though some of us might have been a little deaf by the end of the season.

We would like to thanks Chris and Tefion for giving up their time for coaching us all, and our parents for taking us and being very vocal supporters.

Diolch yn fawr, From All of the under 12’s

Junior Drovers under 14s section

This season has been one of the most disjointed seasons for a long time due to frost, snow and rain.

We only played 10 games, winning 6, 1 draw and 3 losses.

Unfortunately we didn’t have a very successful run in the cup competition this year, losing to Furnace in the quarter final.

We also went on tour to North Wales. We played 2 games, Ruthin and Denbigh. We drew with Ruthin and lost to Denbigh. An enjoyable time was had by all!

The only tournament we went to this year was the Kidwelly sevens tournament. We won all our pool games and unfortunately lost to Kidwelly in the semi-final.

Dafydd Hughes, Harry Millidge and Caerwyn Davies represented the East Carmarthenshire District again this season

As players we would like to take this opportunity to thank both coaches Caws and John for their help and commitment throughout the season, and we would also like to thank all the parents who have followed us around and supported us in all the games. Hope to see you all again next season.

Diolch yn Fawr!!