Neath power through Wanderers

Wanderers 17

Neath 45

“We continue to show that we can compete with the top sides in the division when we apply ourselves” commented coach Andrew Roberts “we must find a away to put in 80 minute performances”

“At this level lapses cost you dearly and they did again today” added chairman Brian Patterson “The second half was much better”.

Despite the heavy overnight rain the ground staff presented the players with a great surface. The early exchanges saw Neath on the attack but the home side competed well. The power of the visitor’s pack was evident from the off and after a series of forward drives the defence opened up and Fergus Kneath raced away to score the first converted try 0-7. The home side responded well. An attack from deep set up by Morgan Williams set Tom Weekley away and the Wanderers took play deep into the visitors 22. Electing to take on the power of the Neath pack the Wanderers went for the drive and Max Surry crashed over for the score 5-7. Clearly stung by the nature of the home side score Neath turned up the heat. Using the clear advantage that their pack possessed they were soon extending their lead with a catch and drive from a lineout scoring their second try 5-12. The Wanderers had a chance to reduce the arrears but a penalty shot from Tommy Taylor went just wide. More or less immediately the visitors extended the lead. The home side, trying to move the ball into midfield spilled a pass and Neath hacked the ball downfield. The chase was on and despite the Wanderers efforts the visitors were first to the ball to score. The conversion was good 5-19. Clearly now on top the pressure was piled on the Wanderers by the visitors and another forward based catch and drive resulted in the bonus point try for Neath on the half hour mark 5-26. Despite continuing to play as much as they could the home side could not find a way back and before the half was complete Neath put the game to bed with another try sending the sides into the break at 5-31.

The second half took off where the first half had ended with Neath on the attack. A move of several phases saw them cross out wide and with a superb touchline conversion they were ahead 5-38. Both sides started to ring the changes and that allowed the Wanderers a little more ball. Dan Stancombe carried well in attack and as the ruck formed Gruff Tough spotted a chance and he broke away. Chased into the Neath 22 he found support from Taylor who gathered the pass and raced away to score 10-38. Soon afterwards it was Stancombe again who was to the fore. Carrying into contact he set up play in midfield. Once again the defenders were caught out at the side of the ruck and this time it was prop Surry who picked up, raced away and dived under the posts for the Wanderers third try. Taylor converted 17-38. The benches were emptied but Neath steadied the ship to snuff out any sense of a late Wanderers revival. Surry left the field with a head injury reducing the last few minutes to a game with passive scrums and the visitors had the last say as they reverted to the driving game to create another opportunity. The ball was recycled well and the final note of the game was a Neath try and touchline conversion sending Neath back into the promotion places with 4 games of the season to go. Final score 17-45.

Wanderers’ scorers

Tries: Max Surry (2) , Tommy Taylor

Cons: Tommy Taylor

Management Man of the match: Max Surry
Massiv Man of the Match: Alfie Llewellyn

Match Pics:https://flic.kr/ps/c7gzd