2nd Half revival sees Athletic triumph
Wanderers Athletic 24
Penarth 12
“We were under the cosh early on against a well drilled Penarth side but as the game went on we started to dominate and the second half was excellent.” Commented manager Haval Ibrahim.
On a cold night at the Memorial ground the Wanderers ran out deserved winners in a thoroughly entertaining game for the decent crowd that braved the conditions.
The early running was made by the visitors and they went deservedly ahead 0-5 after a counter attack in broken play this was followed up by a second try after a penalty had given them good field position. Feigning a drive one of the Penarth back row broke clear and forced his way over. The conversion made it 0-12 with the Seasiders well on top. Slowly but surely the Wanderers started to get a foothold in the game as both sides entertained, running the ball at every opportunity. The game ebbed and flowed right up until the break when the home side finally got the scoreboard moving. Turning the visitors ball over on the Penarth 10 metre line they struck. Iestyn Scott put in a pinpoint accurate cross kick which bounced kindly for wing Vinny Morris. Gathering the ball the wing still had work to do but he held off the covering defence to cross in the corner. The touchline conversion fell just short and the sides went into half time at 5-12.
Some wise words must have been conveyed to the team by manager Haval at half time (or possibly the laced oranges??) as the second half began with a bang for the home side. A penalty gave them a lineout 20 metres out and a well constructed drive by the pack saw Luke Pearce carry the ball over for the second try. Scott converted 12-12. The increasing animated crowd saw the Wanderers begin to dominate proceedings as the game became camped in the Penarth half. Both forwards and backs carried well and the visitors had to dig deep to keep the score level. Despite the dominance the home side could not get ahead until late on in the game. A well worked move out right saw wing Kane Johnson in the clear and he raced away to score the third try 17-12. Penarth rallied as the clock started to run down turning to their Youth policy they brought on Sean O’Sullivan ex wing now prop but the Wanderers defence dug deep to keep them at bay. The game ended with the final score as loose ball in midfield was hacked on by Jack Morgan. Showing some decent footballing skill he outpaced the defence to the loose ball as it crossed the line, adding the fourth try. Scott converted to end the game. Final score 24-12.
Wanderers scorers
Tries: Vinny Morris, Luke Pearce, Kane Johnson, Jack Morgan
Cons: Iestyn Scott (2)
Man of the Match: Rhys Strawbridge
Match Pics: https://flic.kr/ps/c7gzd