Wanderers beaten by resilient Beddau
Wanderers 24
Beddau 28
“A lack of quality possession second half and falling foul of some interesting refereeing decisions cost us dearly” commented head coach Paul Matthews. “The positive thing is that in each of the games we’ve lost we’ve been in it with a chance right at the death. It won’t take a lot to turn those defeats into wins.”
Before the game there was a well observed minutes silence in respect of John Richards, ex-Wanderers coach who passes away recently.
Under grey skies at the Memorial Ground Beddau deservedly took the spoils after a strong second half display finally running out winners 24-28.
The game began brightly with both sides getting their hands on the ball early showing a willingness to spread the ball wide if the opportunity arose. The home side had the first chance after taking play deep following a counterattack they were awarded a penalty 25 meters out. Electing to kick to the corner the Wanderers were rewarded when a drive from the pack saw hooker Iuean Morris crash over for the first score of the game 5-0. The openness continued with Beddau making good use of intelligent box kicks and the home side willing to run the ball back if any space was awarded. A penalty to the visitors saw a shot go wide and then the Wanderers went on the attack again. It seemed that with an advantage being played Ned Bennett had scored after a kick through from Ceri Morris, but the referee deemed there to be an infringement and the home side had to satisfy themselves with a penalty that Evan Gregg landed 8-0. Back came Beddau and they were soon on the scoreboard. A chip over the defence wasn’t dealt with by the home side and the ball was fly hacked through. The chase was on and only swift covering from Gruff Tough prevented a score. The resulting lineout saw Beddau execute a neat drive and they opened their account with a converted try 8-7. The score galvanised the visitors and soon afterwards they edged ahead with a penalty 8-10. The game ebbed and flowed giving the sizable crowd plenty to absorb themselves in as both sides continued to play decent rugby. Good defensive work by the Wanderers gained them a penalty on halfway and when Tough tried a quick tap he was impeded and the penalty was marched on 10 metres. Gregg stepped up and put the Wanderers back in front 11-10. Back and forth the game went and it was Beddau who got the scoreboard moving again. Ned Bennett was deemed to have played a player in the air even though it was him that was held back by one of the defenders. The penalty given to the visitors who took full advantage. Again, another well-orchestrated drive caught the Wanderers defence infringing and their second penalty put them back ahead 11-13. The half headed into its final minutes and there was time for one last attack from the home side. A cross kick from Morris was fly hacked downfield and the home side gained good field position. The backs went on the attack and a somewhat fortuitous penalty against the defence allowed Gregg to step up and land his third penalty of the afternoon and the sides went into the break at 14-13.
The Wanderers began the half well and a 4th Gregg penalty edged them ahead 17-13 but sadly for the home side faithful that was to be the last bit of cheer for the next 30 minutes. Beddau started to dominate possession and control proceedings. The home side defence became more and more desperate as they strove to wrestle back the momentum of the first half. A well worked drive then cross kick resulted in Beddau’s second try neatly converted from out wide and they were back in front 17-20. The visitors began to make good use of their pack and probing down the blindside they stretched the Wanderers. The home side dug deep and despite being under the cosh they stayed in the fight, not allowing the visitors chances to pull away. As the game entered its final quarter Beddau were in control and the killer blow came when a charged down kick on halfway bounced kindly into an attacker’s hands. Getting the ball wide quickly Beddau were away for their third try 17-25. The home side were now chasing the game with a two-score deficit to make up. The game was seemingly over when a penalty shot from the visitors fell just short. Several players stopped as the Beddau linesman put his flag up, but the ball hadn’t gone over and Tough reacted quickest. He set off downfield and was hauled down by the scrambling defence deep in Beddau territory. A penalty followed and as the Wanderers drove at the line the Beddau tacklers dug deep and they recovered the ball. Clearing the ball downfield they failed to make touch and it was Tough again who was on hand to spark something. He countered, stepping would be defenders and feeding the ball inside where AJ Walji was on hand to score. Gregg converted 24-25. With one more play possible against all the odds the Wanderers had a chance to snatch the game, but Beddau rallied, dug deep and stopped the final play deep in the home side half. A penalty was awarded and they gladly ended the game deserved winners 24-28.
Wanderers’ scorers:
Tries: AJ Walji, Ieuan Morris
Cons: Evan Gregg
Pens: Evan Gregg (4)
Massiv Man of the match: Ashley Bissett
Management Man of the match: Gruff Tough
Match Pics: https://flic.kr/ps/c7gzd