Battling Brynmawr beaten by slick Wanderers
Wanderers 55
Brynmawr 11
“Two good results today. Set piece excellent and defence solid. We go again next week with a tough one away from home” commented head coach Paul Matthews.
“Apologies ossiffer! ” commented manager Mark Gould from the Police car on his way home last night. “Another step forward in our development as a side”
“The benefit of the Athletic once again showed, as the bench was very strong in the second half. Players like Gareth “ Sumo” Reid (see the pictures) are benefiting from regular games” added forwards coach Huw Dowden.
On a bright blustery afternoon at the Memorial ground for the second week on the trot it was the visitors who came out of the blocks quickest. Pressurising the home side, they gained two early penalties and with the second they got the scoreboard moving 0-3. The Wanderers settled into their task. A grubber from Ned Bennett gained the home side a 5-metre scrum and from that they struck. Carries from Bennett and Osian Phillips committed the defence and then Ceri Morris put the ball wide to Jack Beynon who sauntered over for the first try. Evan Gregg converted 7-3. A period of aerial tennis followed as both sides strived for an opening. The Pirates had a chance with a 5-metre lineout but the Wanderers defence was solid and a “held up” decision resulted in a goal line drop out. The home side looked to pick the pace of the game up but they were hampered by the loss of Sam Turner for 10 minutes when the referee spotted that he had the wrong colour laces in his boots. The home side then extended their lead. A kick through by the visitor’s backs was gathered on the run by Gregg. He stepped a few would be defenders and then as the space opened, he raced away to score a great solo try which he converted himself 14-3. Brynmawr rallied from the kick off and gaining another penalty to reduce the arrears to 14-6. Back came the home side. Once again with Gruff Tough eager to get the game on the move he took a quick penalty on halfway. Ceri Morris supported, then Phillips came charging up to take the ball and break clear. He outpaced the defence to run in from 30 metres. Gregg hit the crossbar from out wide 19-6. The pirates tried to get back in the game but the home side defence was capable of marshalling the attacks and once again from a good defensive set they struck. A tackle in midfield loosened the ball and the Wanderers were away. Phillips was involved again and the ball was moved wide to Bennett who crossed for the bonus point try. Gregg converted 26-6. The Pirates did have a chance with the last play of the half but a penalty shot went wide and the sides went into the break at 26-6,
The Wanderers started to ring the changes in the second half and it immediately brought dividend. Josh Male on in the centre made a half break and he passed (not a typo) to Ed Thomas who was on hand to complete the move for the fifth try. Gregg added the touchline conversion 33-6. Despite the deficit Brynmawr were not going to fold and they had a good spell on the attack. A driving maul from a penalty gained them a deserved try to reduce the arrears to 33-11 but any thoughts of a revival were short lived. After a series of close quarter drives from the pack the ball went blind. Male was brought down but Tough was on hand to gather the ball and force his way over for the 6th try. Gregg added the extras 40-11. With the bench starting to dominate the set piece the platform was set and as the game entered its final quarter. A clearance kick was gathered by the back three and this time it was Aron Arthur who eluded the defence to score out wide. 45-11. Brynmawr kept trying but the Wanderers defence was solid especially in the red zone and despite their efforts they could not add to their one try. A dispute about the merits of Pukka pies vs Clarks Pies resulted in two players, one from each side, seeing yellow for the final minutes and the Wanderers added to their tally. First a lineout deep in Brynmawr territory went wide and after an offload from Beynon, Gregg score his second try of the game 50-11. Withy the last play of the game a scrum Penalty in their own half was taken quickly by Morris who set his back away. With a tired defence in front of them they cut through and Ed Thomas rounded off the move for the 9th try and final score 55-11.
Wanderers scorers:
Tries: Gruff Tough, Jack Beynon, Evan Gregg (2), Ned Bennett, Aron Arthur, Ed Thomas (2), Osian Phillips
Cons: Evan Gregg (4)
Massiv Man of the match: Evan Gregg
Management Man of the match: Evan Gregg
Match Pics: https://flic.kr/ps/c7gzd