KEEN to put the disappointment of Bournemouth last week behind them, the Carmarthen Warriors travelled to the Rugby Rocks Festival at Richmond Athletic ground at the weekend.

With a number of key players unavailable or injured, the Warriors management opted to target the Open competition instead of the ultra competitive Elite section.

Despite this, the squad still contained two of the 2013 Principality Premiership ‘Dream Team’, two Webb- Ellis Youth cup winners and a Swalec bowl finalist, along with a few ‘core’ players.

As ever the Warriors were too strong for their pool opponents.

Despite not playing well, they eased past Filton Old Boys, Harlequins and the Belief Marauders to set up a quarter-final against the Samurai Bulldogs.

Facing the development side of one of the UK’s leading sevens teams, the Warriors raised their game. Some barnstorming runs by Ammanford’s Wayne Price resulted in two tries for Fishguard’s James Griffiths.

A kick ahead from halfway saw Llandovery’s Lee Rees outpace the opposition to score under the posts.

Warriors captain Arwel Davies even weighed in with a rare score, capitalising on a mix-up on the Bulldogs line to take the final score to 38-14.

Twelve months ago the Warriors found themselves in the same position – in a semifinal tie on pitch three against the Sharks. Players and management made their way to the same location hoping history wasn’t about to repeat itself, as it was the Navy Sharks who awaited this time.

An early try from Rees and the Warriors dominated the first half.

Further tries by Chris Roberts and Jay Thomas were answered by the Navy and the gap was reduced to just five points at half-time.

Barely venturing into their opponents half during the second period, the Warriors soon gifted the Sharks an easy try in the corner, which was duly converted.

At the final whistle the West Wales side were 19-21 down.

Players and management were disappointed. “We’ve only ourselves to blame,” said player-coach Wayne Price, “Les Bleus at Manchester are the only team who’ve deserved to beat us so far.”