Mount Pleasant not so pleasant for Wanderers

BEDDAU 14

WANDERERS 7

“It’s a shame we couldn’t replicate our performance against Bargoed this week. We are lacking consistency and it’s costing us” commented manager Mark Gould.

“A frustrating afternoon. Plenty of endeavour but nothing to show for a real 80-minute effort.” Added Head coach Paul Matthews.

On a cold afternoon in Beddau the defences of both sides ruled the roost as scoring chances were few and far between. The dye was set early as the game for most of the 80 minutes was played between the 22s despite both sides showing a willingness to attack with ball in hand when the chances arose. The home side had first chance to wake the scoreboard operator up, but a penalty shot went wide. The stalemate continued with little to warm the crowd as, despite good ball retention from both sides, attacks petered out with dropped balls or poor kicks. Both defensive lines were on top as neither side really competed at rucks and everyone was wondering how the deadlock would be broken. The Wanderers lineout continued to misfire (copy and pasted from previous 10 reports!) when in a position of strength and several times promising positions were lost. Captain Josh Male seemed to be the one player on the field who consistently got over the gain line but scoring chances rarely resulted. Eventually something had to give. The visitors attacked from deep and despite the appearance of a few high tackles Beddau were awarded a penalty. They kicked to the corner and with a concerted drive they were awarded a penalty try 7-0. The visitors were stung into action and they had a period, as the half came to a close of pressure in the home side half. Once again it was Male leading the change and when he drove from a scrum good retention and quick recycling saw the ball moved wide to Chadd Davies who barged his way over in the corner. Ceri Morris converted from out wide to level it up 7-7. Normal service was resumed from the rest of the half and the sides went into the break with all to play for 7-7.

With the slope and a slight breeze on their backs the Wanderers faithful looked for the side to forge ahead second half, but the solid Beddau defence was up to the task despite the visitors going through the phases on several occasions. As in the first 40 the game was played predominately between the 22s with neither side able to mount any prolonged period of pressure. Both sides started to call for fresh legs to look to change the course of game, but little changed. Sometimes the bounce of a rugby ball can be cruel (or great!)  and it was to be such an instance which eventually proved the difference in the sides. The Wanderers had a chance when Aron Arthur charged a kick down in the opposition 22. Sadly for him the ball bounced into the hands of a grateful defender stopping him from a certain score. Soon afterwards a lovely cross kick when Beddau were on the attack, saw the ball clear the Wanderers defence and bounce kindly into onrushing hands of (possibly the same player’s hands!!). He raced away to score the second and what turned out to be the final score of the game. The visitors tried to respond looking for the equalising try but the home side shored up the defensive line and prevented any real scoring chances. In the last minutes of the game the Wanderers tried the “hail Mary” play sending on an old fellow Lee Highgate. Lee realising that it was cold without his tracksuit on tried to get sent off but the referee forced him to stay on the field for the last few minutes as the game petered out into a win for Beddau. Final score 14-7.

Wanderers Scorers

Tries: Chadd Davies
Con: Ceri Morris

Massiv MOM:  James Murphy
Management MOM: Josh Male

Pics: https://flic.kr/ps/c7gzd