Wanderers find Rocks hard to break
St Peters 17
Wanderers 22
“Sometimes you have to win Ugly and today was one of those days” Commented head coach Paul Matthews after the Wanderers held on to record a bonus point win on the road against St Peters.
From his hideout in the Czech Republic (trying to avoid extradition) Manager Mark Gould who is “ožralý jako slíva” commented, I will enjoy this evening as my personal security detail are all Rocks!”
On a bitterly cold grey afternoon at the Harlequin ground the home side began brightly. After a chip deep into Wanderers territory the defence was caught in possession and a penalty allowed St Peters to open the scoring 3-0. The early play was all provided by the “Rocks” and another neat attack forced the visitors into some desperate scramble defence. Back came the home side, once again threatening but this time a turnover allowed the Wanderers to counter as Finn Davies broke clear and they took play into the home side 22 for the first time. Not to be deterred the Rocks went back on the attack as the Wanderers struggled to get any foothold into the game. Declining a couple of penalty shots for kicks to the corner St Peters tried to extend the lead but the visitors defence dug deep and kept them at bay. Against the run of play the visitors then got a score on the board. The Rocks were on the attack again but as the ball went wide and interception by Evan Gregg left him in the clear he raced away the 80 meters to score in the corner. The conversion fell short 3-5. Not to be deterred the home side regained the momentum and continued to cause issues for the Wanderers defence. The visitors had a few opportunities and did enter the home side 22 during a couple of attacks but the Rocks held firm and prevented the Wanderers going ahead further. As the half entered its final 10 minutes St Peters deservedly regained the lead. Going through the phases with good handling by forwards and backs they stretched the defence when a gap opened they were through to get their first try of the afternoon, under the posts. The conversion added the extras 10-5. The Wanderers responded well and on the stroke of half time a neatly worked lineout saw Anthony Cox nearly make the line. He was brought down short but the ball was recycled blind to Ned Bennett who crossed in the corner for the second try thus sending the sides into the break with all to play for at 10-10.
The half time hot chocolate warmed the Wanderers and they came out of the blocks well. Cox once again was involved carrying well, breaking through the defence and after recycling again Gregg was on hand to score in the corner for the third unconverted try 10-15. The game ebbed and flowed as both teams sent on some warm legs. The biting cold and some interesting decisions from the official seemed to prevent momentum for both sides but there was clearly nothing to chose between the teams as they both strove for the decisive score. The Wanderers gave up a couple of chances after Steff Davies broke well but they were then reduced to 14 for 10 minutes when Ned Bennett saw yellow. Despite the man advantage the majority of the play was in the St Peters half and after a lineout deep in the home side 22 they struck. Moving the ball wide they broke the defence and Davies was up in support. He avoided the would-be defenders and raced away to score the bonus point try. Gregg converted 10-22. Those of us with pre-Christmas memories (not eroded by too much Xmas cheer) recounted the last time we were 22-10 up with 4 minutes to go and there was a sense of déjà vu in the air as the home side rallied and took the game to the visitors. They received a yellow card of their own but it did not deter them as they manufactured their second try to give them a chance of victory. The clock went into the red and back came the Rocks on the attack. From their own 22 they went through the phases but the Wanderers dug deep and a jackal on their own 10 meter line gave them the penalty and possession to end the game to the relief of the visiting Massiv who headed for the bar to warm up. Final score 17-22.
Wanderers Scorers
Tries: Evan Gregg (2), Ned Bennett, Steff Davies
Cons: Evan Gregg
Massiv MOM: Finn Davies
Management MOM: Evan Gregg
Pics: https://flic.kr/ps/c7gzd