Injury time drop Goal thwarts Wanderers efforts
Wanderers 23
Beddau 24
“Getting to sound a little repetitive but another game we could have and should have won” commented Head coach Paul Matthews after the injury time drop goal condemned the Wanderers to another close league defeat.
The sun broke out on a heavy pitch at the Memorial ground as both sides served up a fine game of rugby not decided until the last kick of the game. A common theme exists this season with the enterprise of the Wanderers constantly fighting the power and control of the opposition and that was to be no different today as Beddau dominated the set piece, but the Wanderers dominated anything 20 metres from a scrum, ruck or maul. The early exchanges set the tone for the day with the home side moving the ball wide at every opportunity and the visitors on the back of their powerful scrum dominating the set piece. An attack of several phases led to the first score when Beddau were penalised on their 22 and Ceri Morris stepped up to convert the penalty 3-0. Soon afterwards the home side went further ahead. The visitors moved the ball wide but their control let them down. The ball bobbled loose and Ned Bennet dummied a fly hack through (some may say he just missed it completely?) Gruff Tough on the other hand hacked the ball downfield. A lot of people thought the ball would go out of play but Tough kept the faith in pursuing the ball. When it stayed in play he hacked on again, gathered the ball and crashed over for a try 8-0. At this point it was all Wanderers and when a kick down field by the visitors was released by the Wanderers backs they went further ahead. Amir Jiwa Walji broke clear and he raced up field. As the cover defence appeared he fed Bennet in support who sped away to score the Wanderers second try. Morris added the extras 15-0. There were some harsh words behind the posts from some Beddau players directed at people from the country’s capital (not sure what Scott Britton thought of that!) and a clear direction not to pass the ball beyond touching distance of a ruck or maul and it certainly paid instant dividend. A penalty gave them good field position and a driving lineout resulted in a try (see previous match reports???) 15-7. Not long afterwards they were fully back in the match. Not from a driving lineout (gasp shock horror!!!) but this time from a pushover try score 15-14. The game became littered with penalties as the official went through the whole repertoire of laws but despite the heavy going the match was keeping the crowd entertained. The Wanderers edged ahead again just before the break then a quickly taken scrum penalty saw Steff Davies outwit the defence. He broke clear and with Finn Davies in support they were able to feed Morgan Williams who crashed over for the home side 3rd try. Half time 20-14.
The first action of the second half saw a pitch invasion by someone in a Wanderers kit! Fortunately the referee was up to the task and showed Gareth Reid a yellow card. Taking advantage of the extra man and the already dominant scrum, they secured a third try of their own from a pushover to get them in front for the first time 20-21. Both sides started to ring the changes as the game ebbed and flowed (or maybe trudged and stuck) in the mud. The home side nudged themselves in front with a Tough (as in Gruff) penalty to make it 23-21 as the game entered its final quarter. Beddau went back on the attack but a large spell of dogged defence on the Wanderers line kept them at bay. The visitors did have a penalty shot to take the lead but the attempt went wide. Time started to run out with everything still to play for. The home side seemed to be edging to victory but a conservative approach, rather than sticking to the expansive style that had brought dividend previously, resulted in them coughing up possession. A penalty then allowed Beddau one last chance. Credit to the visitors they moved the ball into midfield and a superbly taken drop goal as the clock went red secured them the victory. Final score 23-24.
Wanderers Scorers
Tries: Gruff Tough, Ned Bennett, Morgan Williams
Con: Ceri Morris
Pens: Ceri Morris, Gruff Tough
Massiv MOM: Huw Thomas
Management MOM: Amir Jiwa Walji
Pics: https://flic.kr/ps/c7gzd