Talywain too determined for Wanderers
Talywain 24
Wanderers 22
A grey day and a black mood descended on the Wanderers as they were deservedly beaten by a determined Talywain side.
“Too many inaccuracies left us scrambling for possession and gave us no continuity” commented coach Lee Highgate
“The Li***** ** *** *********** **** ********* ******* ************** **************” commented Alyn Humphreys
“ ************ ****** ********* ************* *********** ** ****.”
The above comments have been redacted to protect player sensitivity.
A well observed minutes silence preceded the game as a mark of remembrance weekend
On a very grey day at Talywain a potential banana skin turned into a slippery ski slope as the home side took control. Only determined defence kept them at bay during the early exchanges. It was a surprise that it took Talywain over 15 minutes to take the lead. A quickly taken penalty on halfway saw them race away to score out wide 5-0. That lead was doubled soon afterwards when this time it was on the wide left that they struck scoring their second unconverted try to make it 10-0. Fortunately for the Wanderers they had one bright spark in the form of scrum half Gruff Tough. After the home side had let us win a lineout, a penalty in midfield gave Tough the chance. He jumped, stepped and evaded would be tacklers and forced his way over the line to reduce the arrears. Evan Gregg converted 10-7. Possession was like winning lottery tickets, hard to produce, so the visitors resorted to go from deep. A mark by Gregg in his 22 was moved left, catching the defence on the back foot. Josh Male and Jay Jones combined well and then Male found Alex Georgiou up in support and he raced way for the second try. Gregg converted and somehow the Wanderers were ahead 10-14. Normal service was resumed as the half entered its final minutes and with the visitors forced to live off scraps Talywain gained control again. Moving the ball well from an abundance of set piece ball but they found the Wanderers defence difficult to pierce. Eventually with the last play of the half a cross kick, after a series of close quarter drives, found a wing in plenty of space and he dived on the loose ball for the third try and the sides went into the break at 15-14.
The second half began brighter for the visitors with a little more structure and continuity. Gregg had a chance to extend the lead, but his shot hit the post. As the ball rebounded Finn Davies put pressure on the defence and a further penalty in front of the posts allowed Gregg to retake the lead 15-17. The game ebbed and flowed with frequent penalties to both sides as the referee continued to enjoy the sound of his new whistle. A penalty to the home side allowed them to retake the lead 18-17 as the visitors were continuing to live off meagre possession. A Ned Bennett break took play deep only for him to be penalised bizarrely in sight of the posts which allowed the home side to clear. The game entered its final quarter and a second penalty for Talywain gave them a 4-point buffer at 21-17 and it was up to the Wanderers to chase the game. Time started to run out and one promising attack was held up by a determined home side defence. After some close quarter drives of their own the Wanderers were awarded a penalty in front of the posts. Electing for a scrum they struck. Tough moved right and Ceri Morris forced his way over 21-22. Injury time loomed and with the frequency of penalties being awarded it was no surprise when Talywain were given a chance to seal the win. The penalty was converted 24-22. With seemingly more injury time than most realised the game went on. The Wanderers threw everything at Talywain and when yet another penalty was awarded they had a chance to steal the win. Sadly, the kick went wide and the home side hung on for a deserved win 24-22.
Wanderers Scorers
Tries: Gruff Tough, Ceri Morris, Alex Georgiou
Cons: Evan Gregg (2)
Pens: Evan Gregg
Massiv MOM: Gruff Tough
Management MOM: Gruff Tough
Match Pics: https://flic.kr/ps/c7gzd