Wanderers resolve provides New Year with a win

WANDERERS 19

PENALLTA 17

“To concede 12 points in 5 minutes at the start then restrict Penallta to only 5 points in the rest of the game showed great resolve and a sign of the improvement in this young side” commented Chairman Brian Patterson.

“No real standouts today, a real collective team effort against a physical Penallta side” added coach Paul Matthews.

“I’m glad I didn’t get on the pictures, it may have been embarrassing!” Lee Highgate.

On a bright chilly afternoon on a heavy pitch the visitors were straight out of the blocks. Kicking off then retrieving the ball they went straight on the attack. A penalty gave them good field position and after the Wanderers had repelled the first wave of attacks the Pitmen manufactured an opening and crashed over under the posts 0-7.  From the kick off the home side compounded their start conceding a soft penalty and the visitors were straight back on the attack. Taking play deep into the Wanderers 22 they pressured again and after several phases they moved the ball wide for an easy canter in for their second try making it 0-12 and leaving the home side up against it. The attacks continued with the Penallta side showing good handling skills despite the heavy conditions and it was only some desperate home side scrambling that kept the scoreboard still. The Pitmen had a chance to extend the lead with a shot at goal after another penalty but the shot went just wide. From the resulting 22 the Wanderers were handed their first attack after the return kick went out on the full. Gaining a penalty, they declined the shot at goal and at last gained a foothold in the Penallta 22. A second penalty, again declining the shot at goal, presented them with a 5-metre lineout and despite the defence they gained some momentum on the drive and captain Josh Male popped up at the back of the maul to power over to open the home side account. The conversion went just wide but the Wanderers were up and running 5-12. Back came the visitors and once again the defence was called into action to keep the Pitmen from increasing the lead.  The home side then hit back, against the run of play, with a superb try. From a defensive kick Morgan Williams set up the play. The ball was moved wide with George Cottrell, Aron Arthur and Ned Bennett all involved. When the play was halted in the visitors 22 Jamin Hodgkins hit the play at pace and he crashed over to score the Wanderers second try. This he converted himself to level it up at 12-12. The half went into its final 10 minutes and the visitors went back on the attack. Another penalty shot went wide before the home side finished the half well with an attack that saw the Penallta hooker see yellow. Once again they declined the three points on offer but the subsequent poor lineout and good defence from the Pitmen ended the half with the sides level at 12-12.

The second half began brightly for both sides the Wanderers had and early chance, but Penallta hit back and with their superior lineout they furnished another opportunity. Off the top ball set up a midfield attack and then they crashed through on a cut back. Good support and handling then sent them clear to re-establish their lead. The conversion went wide but they were ahead 12-17. The home side sent for fresh legs in order to alter the course of the game there followed a period of pressure in the visitor’s half. Gruff Tough started to prove a threat from 9 and when Penallta infringed once gain the Wanderers kicked deep to set up the play. Driving at the line in close quarters the home side forced the Pitmen’s defence to dig deep and they seemed to hold out but the “Old Timer” Rob Weston threw out a paw and just managed to get the ball on the line. Hodgkins converted and the home side edged ahead 19-17.  A period of aerial tennis followed as both sides searched for the telling score but with heavy conditions taking their toll the game slightly stagnated. The Pitmen were then reduced to 14 for the remainder of the game when the referee spotted a stamp on a Wanderers player making their task even more difficult. As often happens the sending off galvanised their players and they went back on the assault. The tension rose in the game with time running out and the Wanderers faithful were forced to start chewing their fingernails as they hung on. On several occasions it seemed that Penallta would steal it at the death but the resolve of the home side, with Tough to the fore at the death making two try saving tackles, was the strongest and the Wanderers hung on to claim the points in a most absorbing game. A credit to both sides in the heavy conditions final score 19-17.

Wanderers Scorers

Tries: Jamin Hodgkins, Josh Male, Rob Weston

Con: Jamin Hodgkins (2)

Massiv MOM: Aron Arthur
Management MOM: Jamin Hodgkins

Pics:  https://flic.kr/ps/c7gzd