Wanderers gain second bonus point win

Dinas Powys 14
Wanderers 27

“A day when the strong westerly wind gusting over the common should have had more effect on the result than it did” commented manager John Lyons. “Both sides were guilty of poor game management in the conditions”
“The difference was probably that we took our chances when they came along and our defence when down to 13 was excellent. Some of the backs really stood up to be counted at that time” commented Chris Dowell Bennett.
The home side had first use of the wind but in the early exchanges both sides failed to get any rhythm to their play. The strong Dinas scrum, with ex Cardiff and Wanderers prop James Greenfield dominant, held a clear advantage but the home side struggled to make inroads into the Wanderers defence. With the wind in their faces the visitors struggled to gain field position and when a penalty offence was awarded against the Wanderers another ex-Wanderer Callum Bricknell opened the scoring with a penalty 3-0. The visitors struck back looking to move the ball wide when ball was available and after being awarded several penalties including an advance of 10 metres for back chat Luke Fish levelled the score with a penalty from in front of the posts 3-3. The lack of continuity continued under tough conditions and both sides found some of the official’s interpretations somewhat confusing. A strong series of phases from the Wanderers saw them make good inroads and when the ball was lost, the clearance from Bricknell went dead from his own half. The visitors were able to counter well from some infield kicking by the home side and after more phase play they were able to keep the pressure in the Dinas half. Eventually some continuity broke out and from a scrum the Wanderers struck. Favouring the wide channels on 1st phase James Loxton made a telling break and he put Phil Pariyo away for the first try of the game 3-8. The game ebbed and flowed still lacking any real quality and scoring chances were hard to furnish. Bricknell reduced the arrears with a long range second penalty 6-8 but then with the Wanderers finishing the half strongly Bricknell saw yellow after a no arms tackle and some more backchat. The visitors went on the attack and with the referee appearing to play advantage they piled on the pressure. With play halted in the opposition 22 the referee deemed it as advantage over and Dinas cleared their lines to send the teams into half time at 6-8.

The Wanderers began the second half brightly and before long more use of the wide channels led to a second try. First, good work by the forwards carrying well into the heart of the defence created space and the chance to release the backs saw Will Adams Jones cross for the second try. Fish converted 6-15. The home side responded well and there followed their best period of the game. Forcing the Wanderers into conceding a series of penalties they piled on the pressure and when a penalty was awarded at a scrum a quick tap and dart saw the scrum half cross for a try 11-15. The Dinas tails were up now and the visitors were struggling to gain control of the ball. More penalties followed and Josh Male saw yellow after a tip tackle making their task even more difficult. Bricknell reduced the arrears to a point with a penalty 14-15 and it was all to play for. The pressure continued as the defence became stretched but despite the man advantage the home side could not make it tell. The Wanderers were briefly reduced to 13 when Joe Russell left the field with a leg injury but the defence battled hard to keep the Dinas side at bay. With the scrums now passive the Wanderers were left with 14 men when Male returned and they remained under pressure. Fortunately, the continued questioning of the official was making it harder for the home side and they themselves were reduced to 14 for the rest of the game when playmaker Bricknell received his second yellow (red) for dissent. The Wanderers settled and once again gained some control. Using the wind, they were able to establish position up the field and a period of pressure of their own ensued. The forwards carried well and when the ball was flashed back blind Max Wootton, on as a sub, crashed over in the corner 14-20. From the kick off the game was made safe. Once again first phase position out wide saw Loxton break downfield. He had support from Adams Jones and Cameron Gibbon was on hand to force his way over despite the attention of several defenders. Fish converted 14-27. The home side tried valiantly to run out of defence, but the Wanderers had regained their confidence and they were able to see the game out to record their second bonus point win of the season. Final Score 14-27.

Wanderers scorers
Tries: Phil Pariyo, Max Wootton, Cameron Gibbon, Will Adams Jones
Cons: Luke Fish (2)
Pens: Luke Fish

Massiv man of the match; Will Adams Jones

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