Wanderers swim to Victory on the road

TREORCHY 8

WANDERERS 17

“Certainly a day for the die-hards” commented Chairman and linesman Brian Patterson “the players officials and supporters of both sides should be congratulated for their staying power in such conditions”.

“We had to dig deep in atrocious conditions, but it shows what a spirit we are developing that everyone put their bodies on the line, didn’t take a backward step and came through for the win.” added Head Coach Paul Matthews.

“Not sure what all the fuss was about. The weather was perfect” commented Manager Mark Gould from his Private Ski Lodge in the Alps!

On a day that the monsoon rains hit Treorchy just as the game got underway, both sides showed a remarkable willingness to play as much rugby as they could despite the bar of soap being used as a ball.  The early exchanges went to the home side and after a couple of penalties for offside they opened their account with a penalty 3-0. The Wanderers showed that they wanted to move the ball wide whenever the chance arose but with handling very difficult scrums resulted on most occasions. The visitors first foray into the home side 22 gave them a chance and when a penalty was taken quickly, catching the defence on their heels Steff Davies fed Aron Arthur who crashed over for the opening try. Gruff Tough converted 3-7. Conditions deteriorated as the rain got harder and harder. The Wanderers had a chance to extend the lead when Harry Arundel made a break only for the bar of soap to slip from Arthur’s hands with the line beckoning. The Wanderers certainly had their tails up and the high tempo game despite the weather saw them extend the lead soon afterwards. Again, Arthur carried deep and this time he supplied a scoring pass to Davies who crashed over under the posts. Tough converted again 3-14. The rain continued, forcing all but those who had to be out, under cover and despite the efforts of both sets of backs the game (and my camera) started to succumb to the wet. Some entertainment was provided by duelling committee members on the side but scoring opportunities became as rare as dry clothes. The Visitors did extend the lead with a Tough penalty 3-17, after a high tackle but the scoreboard operator was able to take most of the rest of the game off from their exposed position as it became impossible to put any continuity in the game. Just before the break Treorchy had a chance to reduce the arrears with a penalty but the shot went just wide and the referee decided all 30 players could do with drying off so half time was called as all headed for cover. Half time 3-17.

The players could have been excused for staying in the changing rooms and settling the result with a team “Rock Paper Scissors” as the dreadful conditions continued but the brave souls came out for the second half. The effort and endeavour from both sides continued with little result as the game moved from scrum to scrum to lineout to scrum again. Testament to the state of the ground at the beginning of the game that the small swimming pools that started to develop didn’t materialise until the game was nearly over. It appeared at one point that the referee was considering the conditions but clearly the rain got into his watch. The man of the match announcer gave out the sponsors MOM decision (probably trying to influence the referee into calling time but rumours that the official was a one-time Olympic back stroker may have been true!). The game continued for another 20 minutes under the law 46.3 subsection A that states there must be one more score before anyone can get to the showers and bar.  Treorchy rallied at the close and after one player decided the only way to get into the showers was to get a red card, they pressured the Wanderers line and scored a deserved consolation try to make the final score 8-17. A well-deserved on the road win for the Wanderers.

Wanderers Scorers

Tries: Aron Arthur, Steff Davies

Con: Gruff Tough (2)

Pen: Gruff Tough

Massiv MOM:  Ashley Bissett
Management MOM: Ashley Bissett

Match Pics: https://flic.kr/ps/c7gzd

 

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