Wanderers ease through in Plate
Wanderers 57
Llantwit Fadre 7
“We certainly learnt something about our strength in depth today. Some players who haven’t had much game time this season showed up really well” commented Martyn Fowler.
On a bright afternoon at the Memorial Ground Llantwit Fadre began well. An early penalty gave them field position but solid Wanderers defence kept them at bay. A penalty to the home side which was then marched on 10 yards by the referee set up the Wanderers first attack as they elected for a lineout 5 metres out. The set piece was lost but when the visitors tried to clear James Loxton charged down the kick. The ball was gathered by the home side and Charlie Johnson put Will Ford over for the opening score 5-0. The pressure was now firmly on the Llantwit defence and as the home side controlled possession a penalty saw the visitors reduced to 14 men for 10 minutes. Keeping the pressure on the Wanderers looked to extend their lead. Johnson made a telling break in midfield but as he slipped the ball to Rob Evans the ball was spilled with the line beckoning. Once again Llantwit cleared their lines but the Wanderers were able to maintain their pressure. Will Adams Jones broke through the defence from deep and took play into the opposition 22. The ball was recycled well out wide and when recycled again it returned to “Duracell’s wing and he was on hand to finish the move he’d started. Evans converted 12-0. With their tails up the Wanderers looked to expand their play. From the kick off the backs once again attacked out wide and after taking play deep again more recycled ruck ball resulted in a massive overlap and Gavin Nash sauntered in for the third try 17-0. Despite the scoreboard looking a little one sided the visitors were certainly not going down without a fight and the Wanderers midfield were kept on their toes defensively. Unfortunately, it was not to be Llantwit’s day and when an attack broke down the ball went loose. A hack ahead by Evans saw a foot race to the line and Ford was the quickest to the loose ball to score the 4th try. Evans converted 24-0. From the kick off Llantwit regained possession and they mounted a series of attacks getting play deep into Wanderers territory. A series of penalties kept the pressure on the home side but despite all their efforts the visitors could not make that telling pass or break that would get them back in the game. The Wanderers line remained intact and the side went into the break at 24-0.
The half began with the Wanderers once again dominating the field position. With clearance kicks not making touch the Wanderers back 3, with Johnny Wood prominent, were able to run back at the defence at will. The home side started to empty their bench with some fresh legs entering the fray and they were soon further ahead. Play entered the Llantwit 22 and Loxton ran back and forth shrugging off defenders. It seemed inevitable he would be stopped but he continued to wriggle and with a little help from Tom Penry (with a “Y”) Ellis he forced his way over for the fifth try. Evans converted 31-0. A couple of injuries made the Llantwit cause even more difficult and with another attack from deep by Wood and Duracell the 6th try arrived after several phases and Mike Owen, on as a sub, crashed over. Evans converted again 38-0. Even though the result was now not in doubt the Llantwit side continued to battle and show great spirit. Lee Highgate had a chance to get on the scoreboard, but his hands let him down (old age?) and the Adams Jones was denied by the keen eyes of the linesman who spotted a foot in touch as he crashed over, (might make for an interesting evening in the Adams Jones household as the linesman is his father!) Unfortunately, there was no let up in the pressure. When the visitors lost a lineout in their 22 quick ball gave Rob Weston a chance to crash over and take the score beyond 40 points with another converted try 45-0. Every time Llantwit relieved the pressure the ball came straight back and they were constantly on the defensive. The Wanderers should have scored again after Weston set up another attack but Johnson spilled one over the line earning him a “dick of the day” award. It was not long before the home side added to their score Wood added the 8th try after more work by forwards and backs and Harrison Ashby rounded off the Wanderers scoring for the day with the 9th try after more great work from Adams Jones. As the game entered its final plays Llantwit Fadre showed immense spirit for a young side and they eventually got their account on the board with the last play of the game. The conversion was good and the final whistle blew, the result 57-7
Wanderers Scorers:
Tries: Will Ford (2), Will Adams Jones, Harrison Ashby, Gavin Nash, James Loxton, Rob Weston, Johnny Wood, Mike Owen
Cons: Rob Evans (6)
Massiv Man of the match: Rob Weston
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