Carmarthen Warriors continued their remarkable record at the Aberaeron sevens when they claimed their seventh title in nine years in front of a bumper holiday crowd at picturesque Parc Drefach, writes Huw S Thomas.

Playing with a cohesion and precision that few could match, they overwhelmed the Ponty Butchers in the final 43-0, running in seven tries without answer.

It was a moment of mixed emotion for Arwel Davies who formed the Warriors back in 2000 to see the new generation of players take over from veterans such as he, Andrew Jenkins, Wayne Price and Gareth James.

The quartet played their last ever sevens game for the Warriors second string – the Carmarthen Legends - but lost in the final of the Plate.

The 36-year-old whose contribution to the Warriors cause has been the key to their ongoing success for some 15 years was a proud man.

“It was time for the younger generation to take up the baton and they did it with the most conclusive and clear cut of all our wins here.” said the Towy Valley farmer.

“Let them all go on to greater things and keep the Warriors flag flying proudly here and abroad”

The standard of play at the sevens this year was very high to the delight of the hard working Aberaeron committee.

The Warriors, Ponty Butchers, Bargoed, Penallta and newcomers Llandovery all made big impressions at the pool stage.

Ponty Butchers made the final after a nail biting 21-19 win over the Llandovery Drovers thanks to a very late try by Rhodri Williams and last kick of the game conversion from out wide by Kristian James.

The young Drovers – average age 19-20 – had looked to have sealed a place in the final after tries from Rhydian Morris, James Davies and Ryan Morgans.

The ill-disciplined Butchers survived two yellow cards but were given a lifeline which they gratefully took.

The Warriors had beaten Bargoed 17-10 in the other semi final but then stepped up a couple of gears in front of a four-figure crowd.

Wing James Griffiths got them off to a flying start and from there on it was one-way traffic.

In sweeping attacks, orchestrated by scrum half Tomi James they ran in another six tries through skipper Jason Howells (2), Tom Powell, Richard Carter, Tom Rees and the outstanding Jones who also added four conversions.

Aberaeron did best of the smaller clubs by getting to the Plate semi-final before falling to the Legends 22-14.

Ollie Sawyer and Rhodri Jenkins got the tries and there were good contributions throughout the day from skipper Aaron Lewis, Dyfrig Davies, Rhidian Harries, Keiron Etheridge and Tim Lewis.

Penallta won the Plate when they beat the Legends 29-7 with their fastest player Ryan Davies the star of the show with a brace of tries.