Slick Wanderers progress in Cup
Wanderers 67
Mountain Ash 24
“A Good performance. We took a while to figure out where to play the game and break a spirited Old firm down but you cannot fault 11 tries. Some defensive things to sharpen but all in all very happy” commented head coach Paul Matthews.
“Credit where credit is due. When you make many changes against a side who, we have historically had some really tough encounters against but still come away comfortable winners you have to admit the coaches might (with a small m) know what they are about” Anonymous ex -chairman who must remain nameless!
On a lovely bright afternoon at the Memorial ground, which for the very first time saw the Bar Massiv having to send out for extra stock, the Wanderers ran in 11 tries to progress to the last eight of the cup against a spirited Old Firm who never dropped their heads.
Early kick off pressure resulted in good field position and from the first scrum of the game a drive earned the first penalty. Ceri Morris kicked for the corner and after the considerable bulk of Jay Jones joined the drive from the wing, he crashed over for try number one 5-0. Mountain Ash responded well and had a period of pressure which gained them a penalty, they got the scoreboard moving 5-3. The early exchanges were very even as both sides looked for the weaknesses in opposing defences. A second penalty shot for the Old Firm went just wide, but they edged ahead soon afterwards. Good off the top lineout ball was moved wide and the home side midfield defence parted like Moses managed with the Red Sea and they crossed for their first converted try 5-10. Stung into action the home side went back on the attack. A momentary hiatus followed as Morris and one of the visitors had a debate about the bar Massiv prices, but a penalty once again gave the Wanderers field position. After several close quarter drives from the pack Steff Davies realised the backs and fullback Ed Thomas put the home side back in front. Morris converted 10-12. Realising that there was greater benefit from moving the ball wide the Wanderers started to pick the pace of the game up and they extended their lead from deep. A break down the right wing from the Wanderers back three was supported by centre Luc Cummins who was on hand to canter in for the third try. Morris converted 19-10. With a little breathing space on the scoreboard the Wanderers started to relax and they soon increased the lead. Once again, an attack from deep went wide and this time it was captain AJ Walji who was on hand to finish the move and cross for the 4th try. Morris once again converted 26-10. The pace of the game was starting to tell on the visitors but when the Wanderers assaulted the Old firm line with several forward drives, they dug deep and held out eventually gaining the goal line drop out after holding up the Wanderers attack. As the half entered its final quarter the home side struck again. As ruck ball was recycled by Davies his neat offload back inside to an onrushing Walji saw the winger break the defence and he raced away for his second try. Morris converted 33-10. The last play of the half saw Moses at work again and Mountain Ash crossed for a deserved second converted try sending the sides into the break with the Wanderers ahead 33-17.
The second half saw some fresh legs appear for the home side and after a period of very open play from both sides Thomas set up AJ for his hat-trick try making it 38-17. From the kick off the lead was extended with a superb team try. Breaking from deep and again moving it wide Gruff Tough, on as a sub, broke clear and he fed Ashley Bissett supporting who raced away to score 43-17. Despite the uphill struggle for the visitors they continued to battle and certainly didn’t fold against the onslaught. Another counter from Tough put the Wanderers once again on the attack and a penalty gave them another 5-metre lineout. Going through the phases they pressured the defence and when the defenders were caught short on the blindside Davies put Walji in for his 4th try of the game 48-17. The 9th try for the home side went to “old timer” Rob Weston after Josh Male (another old timer) broke down field. He was caught but Finn Davies was up in support and he fed Weston who managed to get his old legs over the line 53-17. Despite their efforts in defence the visitors were up against it and the 10th try followed after Anthony Cox broke clear. He ran 50 metres before feeding Shaun O’Rourke who crossed for a try. Tough converted 60-17. The Old firm continued to stick to their task and in the dying minutes of the game they were rewarded when a neat lineout move set up a position. Moving the ball wide themselves they crossed for their 3rd try and a superb touchline conversion added the extras 60-24. The scoring for the day was finished with the last play of the when Davies went close from a deep ruck in the opposition 22 and he slipped the ball to Cummins who scored his second try. Tough converted. Final score Wanderers through to the next round 67-24.
Wanderers scorers:
Tries: AJ Walji (4), Luc Cummins (2), Ed Thomas, Jay Jones, Rob Weston, Ashley Bissett, Shaun O’Rourke.
Cons: Ceri Morris (4), Gruff Tough (2)
Massiv Man of the match: AJ Walji
Management Man of the match: AJ Walji
Pics: https://flic.kr/ps/c7gzd