7 try Ystrad teach Wanderers more lessons

Ystrad Rhondda 45

Wanderers 17

“There is a steep learning curve for this young group and there will be more days like today before we hit our potential.” Commented Manager Mark Gould after the defeat at the hands of an impressive Ystrad side.

“Ystrad are away ahead of us in the development for the new season but there is still 9 weeks until we play Tata Steel. Plenty of time to get players fit and raring to go” added back coach Darren Gibbon.

Head Coach Martyn Fowler commented “Players were pressed into playing out of position, an incomplete bench but we kept going to the end. To see two back row forwards galloping half the length of the field after 83 minutes to set up Alfie’s score showed there is so much more to come from this group.”

Under cloudy but bright skies the Wanderers began brightly with Steve Drummond chasing and collecting the first kick off. Early signs were good as the visitor’s scrum was clearly on top, but Ystrad slowly started to warm to the task. A penalty gave them good field possession and after several phases and some good ball retention, a theme all afternoon, they crossed for the first try of the game 5-0. The Wanderers hit straight back. A driving scrum gained a penalty and after a kick deep into the Ystrad 22 a driving lineout saw Nathan Evans squeeze over. Gruff Tough converted 5-7. The game ebbed and flowed but slowly the pressure started to pile onto the visitors. Another move of several phases saw the Wanderers run out of defenders and the home side crossed for a second try 10-7. The Ystrad side were then rocked back by a red card to their hooker for leading with an elbow. As often the case when reduced to 14 a side’s resolve stiffens and despite the man advantage the Wanderers, other than at scrum time, looked unable to break the home side down. A penalty from Tough levelled the score 10-10 but the home side started to control proceedings. A penalty kicked deep allowed Ystrad good field position and once again good patience and recycling saw them cross for their third try 17-10. The half entered its final minutes and the Wanderers were handed a chance with a lineout deep in the opposition half but the ball went astray and Ystrad cleared. The sides went into the break with the home side ahead 17-10.

The Wanderers made an early change with Jack James replacing Gareth Reid and then Alfie Llewellyn was forced off for a few minutes while a head injury was attended to. Ystrad took advantage and after more phase play they scythed through in midfield to score their bonus point try 24-10. The Wanderers showed occasional glimpses of what’s to come with Rhys Beynon showing up well, but the game was firmly under the home sides control. A stolen lineout resulted in play being taken deep by the home side and then after a concerted forward drive they were over for their fifth try 31-10. A sixth try soon followed, after another forward drive at a lineout 38-10 before the Wanderers had any decent field position. The visitor’s accuracy in execution started to wane and on the occasion when a chance arose the Ystrad defence was resolute and solid and repelled all that the visitors could muster. Once again turnover ball resulted in the home side taking play deep and they rounded off their scoring for the afternoon with another fine try to make it 45-10. The Wanderers did get a late consolation try when Emyr Jones set off from halfway and he fed Llewellyn who rounded off a fine display with a try in the corner. Tough converted final score 45-17 and a well deserved victory for the home side as they march on in the cup.

Wanderers scorers:

Tries: Nathan Evans, Alfie Llewellyn

Cons: Gruff Tough (2)

Pens: Gruff Tough

Management MOM: Alfie Llewellyn

Supporters MOM: Alfie Llewellyn

Pics on Flickr https://flic.kr/ps/c7gzd