Wanderers bonus point win keeps them in the mix

First half try burst clips Cockerels

“To be hyper critical we slipped off the pace second half, but players needed valuable game time with a tough 4 months ahead” commented Martyn Fowler “In the first half we were clinical and scored some superb team tries” he added.

On a bitterly cold afternoon at the Memorial Ground it was the visitors who started brightly. From the first possession they made ground through a sleepy Wanderers defence and after several recycles they were awarded a penalty, but the shot at goal went just wide. The Cockerels continued to dominate the ball in the early exchanges, but they lacked any real cutting edge despite their efforts and the home side defence were able to manage their attacks comfortably. The Wanderers started to warm to their task, Rob Weston carried well and after a penalty award they put pressure on the visitor’s line for the first time. Despite their lowly league position Heol Y Cyw were not simply going to roll over and they contained the Wanderers for the first 20 minutes of the game but eventually the incisive home side backs found their edge. Attacking from deep Luke Fish spotted space on the right wing. He broke clear and fed Cameron Gibbon who raced away from 40 metres to score. Fish’s conversion hit the post, but the home side were on the board at 5-0. With nerves settled the Wanderers warmed to their task and started to string the phases together. With forwards and backs involved the second try was a real team effort. From a set piece several rucks were set up in midfield and when Fish flashed back blind Will Adams Jones cut the defence to put Gibbon in for his second try. Fish converted 12-0. The pressure was now firmly on the visitors and the Cockerels were struggling to break free. A lineout in the visitor’s territory was overthrown and Aaron Fowler gathered the ball to set up an attack. The forwards drove at the heart of the defence and Rob Weston powered over from close range to register the third try. Fish converted 19-0. With their tails up the bonus point try followed soon afterwards. From a scrum in Wanderers territory an advantage to the home side seemed to stop the Cockerels. Fish took advantage and once again broke clear. Once in space he fed Phil Pariyo who loves the chance to stretch his legs and he raced away to score 24-0. The visitor’s troubles were compounded when they were reduced to 14 men for 10 minutes and the pressure continued. Haval Ibrahim went close after a little trundle in the opposition 22 and when Pariyo had done well to keep a move alive the ball was recycled wide again to put Weston in for his second try 29-0. Despite the losing cause Heol Y Cyw continued to fight and before the half was over they had a real spell of pressure themselves. Their efforts were rewarded when they crossed for a converted try just before the break to send the side in at 29-7.

The second half was very different to the first despite the home side having a considerable advantage. The Cockerels continued to battle hard and they made the Wanderers work for every yard. The home side sixth try came early on after a clearance kick had been fielded by Pariyo. He set Loxton away and a neat one two with Louch put Loxton in in the corner. Fish converted 36-7. Both sides sent for cavalry and many would have excused the visitors if they had folded but they stuck gamely to their task. When the chances arose they tried their best to find a way through the home side defence but that final killer pass or break eluded them. The home side became guilty of poor execution in the opposition 22 and despite several scrums and lineouts near the Heol Y Cyw line, a resolute defence and lack of composure meant that there was no addition to the score. The Cockerels were rewarded for their 80 minute effort when they scored their second try of the afternoon 36-12 and that proved to be the last scoring action of the game but it meant the Wanderers kept up the pressure on the league leaders. Final score 36-12.

 

Wanderers Scorers

Tries: Cameron Gibbon (2), Rob Weston (2), Phil Pariyo, James Loxton

Con: Luke Fish (3)

Massiv man of the match: Morgan Louch

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