Duracell Jones “Braces” Against Storm and Dinas

“Storm Brian and as predicted on twitter, storm Dinas failed to breach the Wanderers flood defences” commented manager John Lyons “Credit to both sides who displayed some good skills in appalling conditions”  

WANDERERS 20
DINAS POWYS 6

On a day when the game was clearly destined to be played in one half of the pitch the early discussions were about how many points the gale was worth. Dinas had first use of the storm and not surprisingly an early penalty put them ahead 0-3. The home side scrum showed some early dominance and when the Wanderers stole a strike against the head the backs took over. David Jones made a break in midfield and when he was hauled down close to the line quick recycling sent the ball out wide to Will Adams Jones who squeezed over in the corner. Luke Fish nearly reached the posts with his conversion into the wind, but the home side were ahead 5-3. The game then settled into a period of intense pressure on the Wanderers. Dinas showed a willingness to move the ball despite the horrid conditions and with the home side defence stretched the Villagers threw everything at the home side. With the gale in their faces the Wanderers were unable to clear their lines to any safe distance, but some solid tackling kept the visitors at bay. The referee was forced to arbitrate in a couple of discussions about how strong the wind was as both packs felt the power of the curry that the front rows had eaten on Friday night, but there were no further scores. When the Wanderers were penalised for offside Dinas had another penalty chance but Brian blew the ball off course and wide of the posts. The Wanderers were faced with a 22 drop out and if provided the second try of the game. Aaron Fowler took a quick drop to himself and he set James Loxton away. Loxton eased through the defence and broke clear. When stopped just outside the visitors 22 the Wanderers once again recycled well and a neat miss pass from Fish put Duracell Jones in for his second try 10-3. The game re-established itself in the Wanderers half and once again the home side were forced into dogged defence but no matter how hard Dinas tried they could not break the home side line. A second penalty did reduce the arrears to 10-6 but as the rain increased in its intensity the home side were able to contain the attacks and the sides went into the break at 10-6.

With the wind now on their backs and a 4 point lead the Wanderers were certainly in the ascendancy and from the kick off the visitors came under pressure. An illegal tackle on James Murphy in front of the posts reduced Dinas to 14 for 10 minutes and allowed Fish to extend the lead to 13-6. It was easy for Fish to keep Dinas pinned back in their 22 but as in the first half the side facing the elements stuck to their task and defended well. The Wanderers had chances but the conditions and some less than accurate execution kept Dinas within a score. Realising that there was no mileage in kicking the ball the Villagers backs showed, once again, a willingness to run and on several occasions, they forced to Wanderers into some scrambled defence. Fortunately, when their attacks broke down it was an easy play to kick deep and the visitors were placed back in their 22. As the crowd huddled in the deep recesses of the stand and terrace to avoid the weather the game became a little disjointed but credit to both sides they kept trying. The deadlock was finally broken when a scrum deep in the Dinas 22 allowed Myles Churcher a chance. He took a quick tap and with the defence back peddling he crashed over under the posts. Fish added the easy conversion and the Wanderers were safe at 20-6. The final few minutes saw the home side go in search of the try bonus point but the Dinas defence battled to the end and kept them at bay. Final score 20-6.

Wanderers Scorers:

Tries: Will Adams Jones (2), Myles Churcher

Cons: Luke Fish

Pens: Luke Fish

Massiv Man of the match: Michael Owen