Bargoed punish Wanderers
WANDERERS 18
BARGOED 53
“Bargoed capitalised on our mistakes and made us pay every time” commented head coach Paul Matthews. “Against good sides your mistakes result in pressure. We will need to work hard next week ahead of a massive game against Bedwas next Saturday”.
“Once again we competed for large parts of the game and showed promise. We must take each defeat as a learning process and keep the faith. At this time we lack experience but that will come” added Tony Murphy rugby chairman.
On a bright afternoon the home side began well going through the phases, showing good ball retention they pressurised Bargoed into giving away an early penalty which Jamin Hodgkins converted 3-0. The visitors levelled it up straight away when the Wanderers failed to collect the kick off and they forced a penalty themselves 3-3. Back came the home side and once again good ball retention allowed them to apply more pressure which once again gave them a penalty. Hodgkins landed his second shot 6-3. Failing to catch the kick off for the second time (a recurring theme!) the visitors regained possession and went back on the attack. The home side weathered this one but Bargoed started to warm to their task. Capitalising on a Wanderers mistake on their own 22 they turned ball over and after a few phases they sauntered under the posts for their first try of the game. The conversion followed 6-10. Some aerial tennis followed as both sides strove for an opening then the home side struck back. After some kicking a poor defensive clearance from the visitors found Rob Weston in space. He set Hodgkins away who put a chip through for Chadd Davies. As Davies was bundled into touch, he threw the ball inside which was knocked back by a defender. Fortunately for the Wanderers it was knocked back into the grateful hands of Finn Davies up in support and he crashed over for the score. Hodgkins added the conversion from the touchline 13-10. Another failed kick off receipt (am I repeating myself!) put the pressure straight back on the home side and when a tackle was missed in midfield Bargoed once again made the Wanderers pay. The ball was recycled well and a second try followed 13-17. The Wanderers saw yellow when a trip by Ethan Battle sent him to the bin for 10 minutes and a side as good as Bargoed needs no second invitation and they added a 3rd try and conversion making it 13-24. The game ebbed and flowed for the last few minutes of the half and the sides went into the break with no further scores.
Bargoed kicked off and we caught the ball!!. Unfortunately for the home side the steady stream of mistakes continued and the visitors were ruthless in making the Wanderers pay. First a poor kick and chase allowed a good counter and solid recycling and ball retention gave Bargoed the opening for their 4th try 13-29. A 5th try soon followed as an attack from deep saw both forwards and back involved in a move that went most of the field putting the game to bed early in the half 13-36. Subs started to appear for both sides and for a spell of calm descended on the game. The Wanderers, showing a good spirit then reduced the arrears. A penalty gave them good field position and a well executed drive from the lineout saw Ethan Battle crash over for the try 18-36. The score rallied the home side and they had a good spell of pressure. Despite the field position and a few good scrums they could not break down a resolute Bargoed defence and that vital breakthrough didn’t materialise. Eventually the revival petered out and the visitors regained their strangle hold on the game. The difference between the sides was clear as the Bargoed side, when chances arose made the most of them and made sure that points followed. Keeping their feet firmly on the home side throats they added 3 more tries to complete the emphatic win leaving the home side rueing the mistakes but realising that if they can be more efficient in their execution results will follow. Final score 18-53.
Wanderers Scorers
Tries: Finn Davies, Ethan Battle
Con: Jamin Hodgkins
Pen: Jamin Hodgkins (2)
Massiv MOM: Finn Davies
Management MOM: Finn Davies
Pics: https://flic.kr/ps/c7gzd