Bargoed bruised but not beaten

 

BARGOED 31

WANDERERS 24

“A great effort from the whole squad. Unusual to come away from a defeat in such high spirits but we really gave a good account of ourselves today” commented manager Mark Gould.

“The top teams will punish you if you concede yellow cards and we played 20 minutes with 14 men. Despite that we are really proud of the performance” added head coach Paul Matthews

On a bitterly cold afternoon in Bargoed the Wanderers really pushed the title chasing home side coming away with two losing bonus points in the narrow defeat. The game sprang into life from the outset. The Visitors counter attacked from a clearance kick, retaining possession well. A half break by Ceri Morris set Aron Arthur clear and he found Gruff Tough in support. Tough raced away and crossed for the opening score. Morris converted 0-7. Unfortunately, that was to be Tough’s last part in the game as he came up lame after scoring. The score stung Bargoed into action. Regaining the ball from the kick off they assaulted the Wanderers line. Going through the phases time and time again they drove at the visitors only to find the defence in fine form. Attack after attack was repelled and the home side could not break through. Eventually a side as good as Bargoed would not be denied and they levelled it up after driving a lineout then peeling off the back to crash over, the conversion was added 7-7. Both sides continued to play as much rugby as they could and the Wanderers struck next. A play on halfway saw George Cottrell kick deep. The home side were forced into conceding a 5-metre scrum and from it the visitors scored. Josh Male was fed on the blind side and he had the strength to force his way over for the Wanderers second try 7-12. The game certainly kept the crowd warmed up as it ebbed and flowed from end to end. The visitors were having the better of the game looking dangerous in attack with ball in hand and then when in defence holding their lines firmly to keep the powerful Bargoed side at bay. Another good attack put the home side under pressure and when they tried to run out from deep the visitors tackled well gaining a penalty on the Bargoed 22. Unfortunately, the kick went just wide keeping it at 7-12. The game continued to entertain with neither side giving any ground as both searched for scores. A superb 50-22 from Morris put the Wanderers on the front foot again and from a scrum after the lineout they struck. A neat strike move off the scrum saw Morgan Williams put Male in under the posts to extend the visitors lead 7-19. The half entered its final minutes with once again Bargoed picking up their pace. Once again though the Wanderers held firm until just before the break. An attack from the visitors broke down and Bargoed countered from deep. The Wanderers were forced into conceding several penalties in a desperate attempt to keep the scoreboard still until half time but they could not hold out. A series of close quarter drives time and time again went close and something had to give. James Murphy saw yellow for the visitors and right on the break Bargoed crossed for their second try making it 14-19 at the half time whistle.

The Wanderers came out of the changing room early and they were straight on the attack as the half began. The ball went loose from the home side kick off and Ned Bennett raced away down the wing. Supported by prop Sam Turner at a gallop he fed Steff Davies up in support and Davies crossed for the Wanderers bonus point try 14-24.  Bargoed sent for some fresh legs and the game shifted with the Wanderers still at 14 men. The home side made them pay and when the Wanderers received another yellow for Harry Arundel the job became even more difficult. Under more and more concerted pressure it was only a matter of time and Bargoed eventually manufactured an opening to reduce the arrears to 21-24. The Wanderers did have chances in attack, but they trended to be less frequent as the home side started to gain control of the game. The bonus point try for the home aide came soon afterwards putting them in front for the first time at 26-24 but as the game entered its final quarter there was still a chance for the visitors. Bargoed stretched their lead to 31-24 with their fifth try leaving a glimmer of hope for the Wanderers. A break by Finn Davies nearly resulted in the score but his pass to Bennett was intercepted with the line beckoning and one final attack but Cottrell was snuffed out by the solid Bargoed defence. The game ended with the home side back on the attack and they prevented any more Wanderers chances to take the spoils at 31-24.

Wanderers Scorers

Tries: Gruff Tough, Josh Male (2), Steff Davies

Con: Ceri Morris
Massiv MOM:  Josh Male
Management MOM: Sam Turner

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