The Carmarthen Warriors continued their 2017 season with a visit to the increasingly popular Frome 7s on Saturday.

This tournament has grown in stature and popularity over the years and has become the natural successor to the classic West Country 7s.

Both the Warriors and their female counterparts were unluckly not to return with the main trophies in 2016, so both Arwel Davies and Natalie Walsh were confident of another competitive performance.

Both captains and coaches could be forgiven for their confidence however as both sides made easy work of the pool satges, playing some of the best rugby seen by the Warriors teams in many years.

The Warriors progressed from the pool stages without conceeding a point, whilst the Ladies followed suit by only conceding one try.

Particular mention must go to two ‘exiles ‘ joining the Warriors this weekend – Alex Pickersgill of Blackheath but formerly of Whitland RFC and Kam Nakove, who travelled down fron London and Kent to join the squad, making an important impact.

Similary, Amosa Nove has been an key signing from outside the Carmarthenshire area and was arguably the palyer of the tournament.

As both sides progressed to the semi finals the inevitable clashes with long time rivals Ponty Butchers awaited.

The Ladies were first to meet the Butchers and were sadly overcome by the newly formed side.

Having previuosly played with real flair and ability, with and without the ball, the Warriors Ladies seemed overawed by the occasion and allowed the Butchers to dominate the game.

A late rally wasn’t enough and the main final place v Swansea slipped away from the Carmarthenshire girls – with a plate final v Cheltenham Tigers was the consolation.

Over on the Men’s pitches, The Warriors had slipped to a 21-0 deficit at half time v Hurricanes.

An incredible seven minutes followed however as the rampant Carmarthenshire side ran in 43 points to clinch a place in the final.

With both sides brimming with confidence both the Ladies and Men took their respective finals by the scruff of the neck and ran out victors - The Warriors rightly depriving Ponty Butchers of a third Frome title by 35-14.

As ever, local sponsors Coracle Coaches provided the transport home, where both rugby coaches were ebulliant following a dominant display at another quality tournamemt.

Arwel Davies felt that Frome 2017 was undoubtely one of the best displays he’d seen in 17 years of Warriors rugby.

Ladies Coach and Whitland stalwart David Ebbsworth was quick to agree: “It was great to see us competing with teams like Swansea, who play together all season, our girls played with fantastic flair and ability. The main final was ours had it not been for a few errors.”

As ever rugby took a temporary back seat at times as both sides continued to raise money for their 2017 chosen charity, the Cronfa Goffa Eifion Gwynne Memorial Fund, with bucket collections and wristband sales.

Both will resume on July 1st at another prestige tournament, Sevens in the City, played at Saracens Allianz Park.