By Zippy
June 8 2004

A great occasion on Sunday when these two giants of world rugby took to the field for the final time. For details of the match and days events read on

Before the game events centred around enjoying a few drinks in the sun and the Various Warriors fans milling about, there was a protest outside the stadium with a about a hundred fans. The most disgusting was the fact the WRU were selling Warriors shirts at there official outlets for a knock down £30, an absolute disgrace.

There was plenty of activity at the Millennium Stadium before the main event kicked-off at 3.00pm with three matches taking place between Llantwit Fardre and Barking, the two clubs at which Jenkins and Leonard started their careers. There will be games at Under 8 and Under 9 age levels and then a 30 minutes each way match between the two senior sides.

As soon as you entered the stadium the atmosphere turned to fun and a carnival style atmosphere in the ground and an impressive turnout of some 25,000. The roof had been closed as well so it was far from cold!

Both teams took to the field, Jinks and Leonard ran out on there own to huge receptions from the crowd. Leonards team all wore number 1 and Jinks team wore 10.

Match report

The march itself saw the sides share 24 tries, after just two minutes the scoring began with a try for Neil Boobyer, but the ‘Ginger Monster’s first kick at goal faded to the right.

The early stages of the game were being played in Leonard’s side half, and it didn’t take long for the second try of the game when ‘Number 10’ Brett Sinkinson crossed.

Compare Rupert moon came on the pitch to ask Jenks if he was feeling the pressure…Jenks’ kick went straight through.

Leonard’s team hit straight back just three minutes later. Neil Back galloped into space, he passed to Northampton Saints’ John Leslie for their first try of the match

Chris Wyatt and Emyr Lewis seemed to be enjoying the occasion, both making a series of searing breaks.

After 11 minutes Leonard’s team scored a well worked try, with James Grindal collecting the final pass and touching down. Burke added the extras to put his team into the lead for the first time. 

David Bishop, reputedly 'the greatest scrum half to get just one cap' came on for Rob Howley after 12 minutes.

And just moments later the ‘English side’ extended the lead with a try in the corner from fly-half.

By now the match was starting to get competitive, with the Millennium Stadium crowd booing the conversion attempt by Burke, it had the desired effect as the kick faded wide.

The tries kept on coming, and after nineteen minutes Jenks converted a try from Robbie Mustoe to bring the scores level at 19 all.

And Jenks’ team went into the lead just five minutes later as the Garin Jenkins scored their fourth try of the match.

Former Wales duo of Scott Quinnell and Rob Howley brought the crowd to their feet as they combined for their side’s fifth five pointer moments later.

Jenks kicked the conversion, and when Mooney ordered him to take a break, he jogged from the field. “I’m knackered,” was the short message from the great man.

Leonard’s side soon hit back to cut Jenks’ team’s lead to just seven points at 33-26, and moments later the scores were level when ‘number 1’ passed to ‘number 1’, who fed ‘number 1’ who scored under the posts. ‘Number 1’ levelled up the scores with the conversion.

The try fest continued as Jenks side worked their way downfield, and Paul Moriaty touched down to take the score to 38-33.

Neil Back, who gained infamy for his ‘hand of back’ moment in the 2002 Heineken Cup final at this venue, scored the final try of the first half to put Leonard’s team up by two points at the break at 40-38.

Fans were treated to a drum solo from the Stereophonics’ Stuart Cable at half time, followed by a place kicking competition with Cable, Jenks, Leonard and Wales under 21 fly half Mathew Jones.

Jenks kicked with his left peg, but still proved he had the winning touch with a 100 per cent showing to earn money for a local charity. 

The second half score-fest was started when Leonard’s team extended their lead just two minutes into the period, and just two minutes. and soon after former Ponty scrum half Paul John kept the Welsh side in touch with a score in the corner.

But the tries kept coming and Paul Burke found a hole in the ‘Wales’ defence to burst trough and score, moments later John replied to again keep his team within a score as both sides reached the 50 points mark. But it didn’t take long for Leonard’s team to score again and herald another verse of Rule Britannia through the Millennium Stadium tannoy.

Richard Parks got in on the try-scoring act to give his side as many points as there were minutes played, three minutes before the hour mark. 

Jenks’ side regained the lead five minutes later when a lively ‘Number 10’ darted over.

But the loudest cheer of the match came with Wales Legend Quinell won a 40-metre foot race to the line. Jenks’ ninth conversion of the match put 12 points between the sides with the score at 73-61.

But surprise surprise, there was a try almost immediately after for Leonard’s side.  No one knows who scored, and nobody cared, the party atmosphere inside Cardiff’s showpiece stadium as strong as ever.

The scores were levelled with ten minutes to play when former Wales wing and current Scarlets backs coach Nigel Davies scored a fine try in the corner. Burke converted to put Leonard’s side in the lead, 75-73.

Justin Thomas gave Jenks’ team the lead again with just five minutes left on the clock, however Leonard’s side levelled the scores at 80-80, and the England legend took the kick himself...it missed by a country mile, and the match was over – an honourable draw. 

The Teams


NEIL JENKINS XV: Kenny Logan; Justin Thomas, Allan Bateman, Scott Gibbs, Richard Mustoe; Neil Jenkins, Rob Howley; John Davies, Garin Jenkins, Ben Evans, Steve Williams, Chris Wyatt, Emyr Lewis, Brett Sinkinson, Scott Quinnell.

JASON LEONARD XV: Matt Perry; Nick Beal, Nick Greenstock, John Leslie, Jon Sleightholme; Paul Burke, James Grindall; Jason Leonard, Dorian West, Darren Garforth, Alex Codling, Billy Davison, Kingsley Jones, Neil Back, Andre Vos.

The teams were not as above but roughly right, Logan played for leonards team with Justin Thomas reverting to full back and he was most impressive.

 

After the game at Cardiff train station I was catching my delayed train to Bridgend when I looked at the opposite platform to see thousands of Ponty fans trying to get a train home, the platform was rammed and then a two carriage half full train pulled up, it was most amusing.

Everyone kept in the spirit of the day and started chanted "Ole Ole Ole Ole Warriors Warriors", great end to the day was ensured by £8 all you eat Indian Buffet.

Thank you Neil, Thank you Jason.