Wanderers overcome Resilient Llanishen
Wanderers 50
Llanishen 8
The Wanderers overcame a resilient Llanishen side to progress in the Mallett Cup and set up a date with Cowbridge in the next round.
On a calm night at the memorial ground it was the visitors who were first out of the blocks. Their pack drove strongly into the heart of the Wanderers defence and after more close quarter drives they crashed over in the corner to open the scoring 0-5. The score stung the home side into action. Regaining the kick off, the Wanderers wide threat was evident from early on. Both sides showed a willingness to play from deep and there was plenty of work for both defences. The Wanderers soon levelled the score. A neat run around from Tony Lamerton put Jamie Murray over in the corner for the home sides first try of the night 5-5. At this point Llanishen were giving as good as they got and the Wanderers found it hard to break the defence down and it was a fortunate break that got them a second try. A lineout drive deep in visitors territory saw the ball pop out and before the defenders could react Mike Owen snapped up the loose ball and crashed over. Amir Saleh converted 12-5. The Wanderers scrum was starting to dominate but with modified rules this was to be less of an advantage as it normally would have been. A spell down to 14 men with a yellow card for Scott Griffiths soon followed for the home side but Llanishen could only reduce the arrears with a penalty 12-8 and it was late in the half when Rhys Beynon crossed to give the home side some space on the scoreboard. Saleh converted again and the sides went into the break at 19-8.
The Wanderers started the second half brightly. Starting to show their Championship credentials they put the visitors under more and more pressure. Murray added his second try 24-8 and the game became a little scrappy as both sides sought more continuity in their play. Owen Hatherill forced his way over after some close quarter driving from the pack with Saleh adding the conversion 31-8. Steve Drummond soon added another try and the valiant Llanishen resistance was finally quelled. Once again Saleh converted 38-8. The Wanderers coaches started to empty their bench and the fresh legs only compounded the struggle for Llanishen. Despite that they never collapsed and they were fighting and competing to the end. Gruff Tough and Emyr Jones added tries and Tough put over a conversion to make it 50-8 at the final whistle
Wanderers Scorers:
Tries: Jamie Murray (2) , Mike Owen, Rhys Beynon, Owen Hatherill, Steve Drummond, Gruff Tough, Emyr Jones
Cons: Amir Saleh (4) Gruff Tough
Wanderers MOM: Amir Saleh
Pics on Flickr https://flic.kr/ps/c7gzd