Wanderers rue missed chances
RUMNEY 27
WANDERERS 21
“Another game of missed opportunities. Something we’ve be saying a lot this season” commented head coach Paul Matthews. “You cannot fault the commitment or effort though and these shortcomings can be addressed in the summer”.
On a pitch that like some of the Mulletts on show, needed a short back and sides Rumney gained the league double over the Wanderers in a closely fought encounter that could have gone either way. There is no secret to the visitors approach these days and from the off the Wanderers employed a high tempo strategy. Early exchanges bounced either way until a Rumney penalty got them on the board 3-0. The visitors hit back. Moving the ball wide and recycling well in the red zone the attack allowed Amir Jiwa Walji to cross for the opening try out wide 3-5. There was a blow for the Wanderers as Luke Pearce was forced off with a leg injury to be replaced by Jacob Newman. Both number 10s traded penalties to make it 6-8 as there was little to separate the teams. The half ebbed and flowed with plenty of endeavour and heart from both sides. The more streetwise home side edging the close quarter encounters with the visitors looking the more dangerous out wide. Gruff Tough edged the Wanderers further ahead as the 40-minute mark neared but the expansive visitors approach was to be their undoing as injury time loomed. Electing to run out of defence instead of clearing their lines the ball was turned over and Rumney took full advantage. Going through the phases they created space out wide to cross for their first try. The conversion edged them ahead as the whistle went. Half time 13-11.
The second half began with the Wanderers hitting straight back. A penalty gave them good field position and a driving maul saw Mike Vaughan crash over to put the visitors back in front Tough added the extras 13-18. The home side responded well and there was a double blow for the Wanderers as a penalty edged Rumney back into contention at 16-18 and Lee Highgate was forced off after damaging a fingernail extension. As subs started appearing the visitors gained a man advantage for 10 minutes when Tough, after a neat break blindside, set up an attack only to be thwarted illegally with a score beckoning. The yellow card advantage resulted in the crucial part of the game. The Wanderers mounted a series of attacks. Electing to keep it tight instead of moving it wide the Wanderers threw everything at the home side line. Penalty after penalty followed but the Wanderers could not find the definitive drive. The Rumney defenders dug deep and eventually turned the ball over and cleared the threat turning the tide of the game. The 10s did trade further penalties keeping the visitors with their noses in front but there had been a clear momentum change. Using powerful close quarter driving the Rumney pack took control and it was no surprise when they forced their way over to put them ahead 24-21. As injury time took hold the Wanderers did have one last chance. Taking play deep the moved the ball wide in the 22 but the ball was spilled and Rumney cleared the final danger. A last-minute penalty put the game to bed and Rumney ran out deserved winners 27-21.
Wanderers Scorers
Tries: Amir Jiwa Walji, Mike Vaughan
Con: Gruff Tough
Pens: Gruff Tough (3)
Massiv MOM: Mike Vaughan (sp.mention Finn Highgate)
Management MOM: Gruff Tough/ Aron Arthur
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