Wanderers limp out of cup
Wanderers 0
Trebanos 14
“At this level you have to take your chances. Trebanos certainly did that. We created plenty of opportunity but let ourselves down when the line beckoned” commented Manager Mark Gould.
“I’m beginning to sound like a broken record (for those who can remember vinyl) we talk about learning lessons but continue to make the same mistakes” added Martyn Fowler.
“If I spent the week dragging my fingernails down the blackboard (for those old enough to remember blackboards! ) I’d be having more fun “commented an anonymous teacher who happens also to be a backs coach.
On a bright day when the most active Wanderers squad member was Lucy the Physio, the home side began with a good breeze on their backs. A spilled ball by the visitors presented the Wanderers with an early chance but a wild pass in the Trebanos 22 brought an end to the move. The visitors were content to go through the phases, on their first decent possession, but the Wanderers wall held firm and no breakthrough seemed likely. A lovely break downfield by Trebanos nearly created a first score but the Wanderers scramble defence covered well to prevent a try. The first 20 minutes passed with both sides showing some decent rugby to entertain the crowd but it was to be a day for the defences as no score was possible. The home side did create opportunities but on every occasion that a line break split the defenc,e wild passing prevented the moves being converted into scores. The deadlock continued and two players, one from each side, saw yellow when a dispute on the governments handling of the mini budget broke out but still the deadlock remained. The Wanderers lost ex captain Cameron Gibbon with a facial cut and their backs continued to try to get into the Guinness book of records with the longest passes to reach fresh air. Eventually the scoreboard operator was woken up when a neat counter attack from deep put Trebanos in good field position. From a well-executed lineout move they went a couple of phases and crossed for the first score of the game 0-7. The home side were then forced into a second change when scrum half Ioan Williams left the field with a dislocated shoulder to be replaced by Steffan Davies. The final minutes if the half fell back into the routine of defence on top and the sides went into the break with Trebanos having played into the wind leading 0-7.
The Wanderers side were forced into a third change at half time with tight head Owen Hatherill being replaced by Freddie Barnes who was promptly yellow carded for a high tackle. The game ebbed and flowed with both sides continuing to play some decent rugby without finding the killer pass or break. The visitors extended their lead with a second try after a decent attack involving good handling gave them field position and when the ball squirted out of a ruck they were the first to respond, scoop up the ball and canter through the open space to score 0-14. With plenty of time on the clock the Wanderers faithful looked for a revival only to see more players hobbling off. There was a rally of sorts and some pressure was applied to the Trebanos line with little real sense that a try was forthcoming. The visitors had moments themselves when attacks looked to present scores but as was the case all afternoon defence was the key and no matter how good the rugby played scores were definitely not on the menu today. The visitors managed to hold out and run down the clock despite the late pressure for a well deserved win and progression to the next round of the cup. Final score 0-14.
Management MOTM: Evan Lloyd
Massiv MOTM: Will Tretherway
Pics : https://flic.kr/ps/c7gzd