THE Carmarthen Warriors got their 2017 season off to a flying start in Hartbury this month.

Buoyed by their Bowl victory at the prestigous Kinsale 7s over the May Day Bank Holiday, the men's side headed to Hartpury in Gloucestershire this weekend for the Bamboo 7s.

Joined by the re-named Ladies side it was the first run out for both this year on British soil.

With the 15s season as good as over, both Arwel Davies and Natalie Walsh were able to select strong squads with a sprinkiling of new talent to try out.

Despite a one drawn game for the Ladies, both sides coasted comfortably through the pool games and into the knockout rounds.

The semi’s brought together some familiar adversaries in the shape of the Godfathers for the Men and the Dragons for the Ladies.

Both produced some of the best rugby seen at the tournament with the Men disposing of their old friends the Godfathers by three tries to one.

Warriors veteran Andrew Jenkins stood out, constantly organising and creating to set up tries and bolster the defence.

The Ladies, improving with every game and driven by the power of Natalie Walsh and Welsh international Adi Taviner, overcame the Dragons, who were 2016 champions, 14-19.

Both finals again produced some scintillating rugby in perfect 7s conditions.

Unfortunately the resilience of the Ladies ran out against the home side of Hartpury, and despite some fierce defence, the students took the title by 24-14.

The Warriors men were impressive against a fit Navy side.

Newcomer Adam Sabri was a constant threat, contributing immesnsely to the final score of 21-17 to the Warriors.

Overall, the management looked labelled the tournament as an ideal curtain raiser to what should be a promising season.

Both sides appear to have recruited a new an exciting pool of talent which should see more silverwear heading back to west Wales over the summer.

It nowremains for the Over 35s to follow suit when they head to the Flanders Open rugby tournament at the beginning of June.

This tournament will be poignant as the squad remember former player Eifion Gwynne, who tragically lost his life in October 2016.

As well as being a team mate to many of the Warriors at Llandovery RFC, Eifion as played at Flanders in 2016 and 2017 - and the 2017 Warriors chosen charity will raise funds for his memorial trust

Warriors Men: Deian Augustus, Andrew Jenkins (Whitland); Adam Sabri (Colwyn Bay); Thomas Shay, Scott Gibson ( Llandovery); Shaun Pearce (Kidwelly); Daniel Davies, Luke Kendall (Newcastle Emlyn); Mike Jones (Swansea); Ollie Butterworth (UWIC); Chris Roberts, Thomas Shane (unnattached); Jay Harris (Beddau); Amosa Nova (Monmouth).

Warriors Ladies: Natalie Walsh, Heather Rees, Gemma Robinson (Whitland); Adi Taviner (Swansea); Lowri Truslove, Amberley Ruck (Cardiff Met); Brittony Price (Penybanc); Ffion Elen Evans (Llandaf North).