Keys unlocked as Wanderers edge home
Wanderers 32
Cross Keys 26
“All in all a good day out” commented Tony Murphy chairman of the rugby committee “It’s a result that has been coming for some time”
“The squad has put in a lot of graft over the last few weeks and its finally paying off” added coach Andrew Roberts
“There was nothing wrong with that pass” anonymous quote
On a surprisingly dry afternoon after the poor forecast of rain both sides served up a quality encounter for the supporters of both sides with the home side gaining a valuable confidence win. The Wanderers mounted some early pressure giving freedom to both forwards and backs to carry the ball, After good carries from Rob Weston and young prop Scott Britton the home side took the play deep into the 22 and after good recycling Alfie Price crashed over for the first score of the game. Tommy Taylor converted 7-0. Keys were slow to get into their stride but after some good jackaling gave them a penalty they took play into the home side 22. A play of several phases of close quarter driving allowed the visitors to stretch the Wanderers defence and they crossed out wide for their first score. A good touchline conversion levelled it up at 7-7. Back came the home side another carry by Britton saw the ball bobble loose and Steff Davies grabbed an opportunity to break clear. He was hauled down just short. A resulting scrum to the Wanderers gave them a second chance and Price was on hand to crash over for his second try, despite the attention of several defenders. The conversion went just wide 12-7. The game ebbed and flowed with both sides striving for an advantage. The visitors realising that their strength on the day was to be the power of their pack started to utilise the kick to the corner as the main threat. From a penalty one such kick gave them the chance and after a drive they crashed over to level it up again 12-12 and the conversion put them ahead 12-14. The Wanderers were forced into a change with Price leaving the field to be replaced by Archie Lloyd meaning Steff Davies moved to the wing from scrum half. Soon afterwards Keys extended their lead. Another well executed catch ad drive saw them cross for their third try. This time the conversion went just wide 12-19. The half ended with the Wanderers back on the attack. Again good carrying this time from Jac Williams set up field position but the ball was spilled and the resulting scrum saw the visitors clear their lines to end the half at 12-19.
The Wanderers were straight out of the traps at the start of the half. A good kick chase by Jack Beynon set up field position and when awarded a penalty a quick tap by Gruff Tough allowed Morgan Williams to crash over, catching the defence off guard. Taylor added the conversion and the two sides were back level at 19-19. Once again the game went from end to end with little to separate the sides. The Wanderers edged their nose in front with a Taylor penalty and then they were forced into another change with Davies leaving the field and another reshuffle with Alfie Llewellyn moving from the back row to the wing as cover. Discipline from the home side was key as the visitors always had the threat of the driving maul. Llewellyn set up an attack from his new position and when Max Wootton was taken off the ball Taylor added his second penalty 25-19. The game entered its final quarter with everything still to play for. The Wanderers came under pressure with the Visitors once again employing their driving lineout as their key weapon. The home side threw everything into the defence of their line but the power was bound to take its toll eventually. After another drive failed to make the line the visitors took up some close quarter driving and finally crashed over under the posts. The conversion put them ahead 25-26 with time running out. For once this season the Wanderers were not to be denied. Another Llewellyn break down the right wing took play deep and he found Taylor in support. Taylor raced away and had young Archie Lloyd on his shoulder and he crossed for the Wanderers fourth try. Taylor converted 32-26. The home side then prevented the Massiv from biting their nails to nothing by playing the last few minutes in the Keys half managing to steal a final lineout to end the game with a much needed and deserved win 32-26.
Wanderers Scorers
Tries: Alfie B Price (2), Morgan Williams, Archie Lloyd
Cons: Tommy Taylor (3)
Pens: Tommy Taylor (2)
Management MOTM: Tommy Taylor
Massiv MOTM: Will Jameson
PIcs: https://flic.kr/ps/c7gzd