Wanderers warm to their task ahead
Ynysddu 32
Wanderers 50
“A Dominant set piece that set a good platform for the backs who executed with precision and strong running. Some errors with discipline that allowed them a small foothold in the game and that will need to be addressed moving forward. Brilliant to see the team not settling for an average performance and demanding high standards with this evident during the game.” Commented head coach Paul Matthews.
From his luxury yacht in Monaco Non-Dom status manager Mark Gould added “we are making steady progress to where we want to be. The boys know they need to keep on improving but their attitude is great”.
The Wanderers first ever visit to Ynysddu began with a constant stream of penalties for offside as the visitors’ defence fell foul of the referee and not surprisingly the home side were soon on the board with a penalty 3-0. Getting into the game the visitors soon struck back. Moving the ball wide on their first opportunity Ed Thomas made ground. He put through a grubber kick which the defence failed to gather. Gruff Tough racing up in support regained possession and he showed the opposition a clean pair of heels as he ran away to score. Evan Gregg converted 3-7. Ynysddu reduced the arrears with their second penalty for yet another offside 6-7 but the visitors extended the lead when, after good lineout ball, Captain Josh Male set up play in midfield. The ball went wide quickly and Jack Beynon shrugged off the would-be tacklers to cross for the second try 6-12. The Wanderers, with their tails up, realised that playing out wide would bring good dividends and the third try followed soon afterwards. Again, moving it to the right wing the backs combined well and this time it was wing Ned Bennett who crossed for a try converted by Evan Gregg 6-19. The Wanderers were certainly showing their potential as the set piece provided the fliers with a steady flow of possession but they ere pegged back when another offside penalty gave Ynysddu good field position. A well worked back ball drive saw them crash over for their first try 13-19. Back came the visitors with Anthony Cox and Osian Phillips prominent with ball in hand. Taking play deep they pressurised the line but were thwarted by a high tackle which saw Ynysddu reduced to 14 for 10 minutes. The Wanderers elected for a scrum from the penalty but as the scrum powered forward towards the line the scrum collapsed and the referee deemed the visitors to be at fault and the home side cleared their lines. Back came the waves of attack again and yet more gain line success out wide saw Bennett wriggle free from the defence and he crossed for the bonus point try. Gregg converted from the touchline 13-26. From the kick off it was Bennett again on the attack as he broke clear and set off downfield. Ed Thomas provided the support but the move was thwarted by an interception as the defence scrambled back. The Wanderers kept up the pressure with Shaun O’Rourke and Anthony Cox providing good lineout ball and stealing several throws on opposition ball. From one such steal the visitors were back on the attack. Both forwards and backs carried well and after a couple of close quarter drives Cox forced his way over for the fifth try which sent the sides into the break at 13-31.
The second half began with Osian Phillips charging downfield setting up play but as the play developed Rob Weston, with his half time pasty still in his hand, spilled the ball and the move broke down. As Ynysddu tried to go from deep Ashley Bissett was deemed to have tripped an attacker and he saw yellow for 10 minutes. The man advantage buoyed the opposition and they had their best spell of the game. Showing that given the chance they could move the ball well they created a chance and they crossed out wide for their second try 18-31. The score certainly galvanised Ynysddu and from a penalty and good field position they mounted a period of pressure. The Wanderers struggled to get the ball clear and they were forced into a lot of scrambled defence. Eventually they got back up-field but having weathered the storm they were set back by another interception and the home side were suddenly within a converted try 25-31. Any jitters the Wanderers faithful had were set aside when from the kick off Aron Arthur stepped up. From the clearance kick he set off on the counter. Sidestepping defenders for fun he sliced through the defence and raced away to score. Gregg converted 25-38. Any further doubt was put to bed from the next attack. Gruff Tough set up the play, Phillips carried well again and O’Rourke was on hand to canter over for the 7th try. 25-43. Both sides emptied their benches and the Wanderers scoring was finished for the day when a Gregg penalty hit the posts. Ynysddu recovered the ball. Deciding to run out of defence they passed the ball wide on their own line. Unfortunately, there weren’t any home side players out there and Ed Thomas was. He dabbed the ball down for the 8th try with Gregg adding the extras 25-50. As the game entered its final minutes Ynysddu rallied and they deservedly gained their bonus point fourth try to end the entertainment for the day making it 32-50 at the final whistle.
Wanderers scorers:
Tries: Gruff Tough, Jack Beynon, Ned Bennett (2), Anthony Cox, Aron Athur, Shaun O’Rourke, Ed Thomas,
Cons: Evan Gregg (5)
Massiv Man of the match: Osian Phillips
Management Man of the match: Osian Phillips
Match Pics: https://flic.kr/ps/c7gzd