Snake’s venom subdues Wanderers
Aberdare 31
Wanderers 25
“Too many errors and defensively poor” commented head Coach Paul Matthews.
“Disappointing that once again we wait until we are at least two scores adrift before we start playing! We showed that we can be clinical and sharp but its too inconsistent” added Forwards coach Huw Dowden.
On a cold grey afternoon the game started badly for the visitors. Spilling the kick off they gifted possession to the home side and the Snakes took full advantage going through the phases and crossing for the first try of the day 7-0. The Wanderers hit back almost straight away. Gaining good field position and setting up a lineout drive “45 year Old Timer” Lee Highgate crashed over to reduce the arrears to 7-5. The game settled with both sides moving the ball when the situation allowed it. The Wanderers were forced into a spell of scrambling defence as Aberdare mounted a sustained period of pressure but the visitors dug deep and kept the Snakes at bay. The Wanderers were then reduced to 14 men for 10 minutes when Ceri Morris saw yellow for a deliberate knock on and the home side took advantage of the extra man. Countering from a drop out they once again went through the phases and making use of the extra man they crossed again out wide for their second try 12-5. Once again the Wanderers responded. A break from deep by Finn Davies took play deep but Aberdare scrambled back to hold out the visitors. As the half entered its final quarter the visitors levelled it up. Turning the ball over in defence the ball went wide and AJ Walji and Ned Bennett combined to take the play into the home side 22. Keeping the ball alive the Wanderers handled well and AJ Walji was on hand for the second time in the move to crash over under the posts. Tom Morrissey added the conversion and it was all square at 12-12 and that’s how the sides went into the break.
The second half began brightly for the visitors and another deliberate knock on, this time by one of the Aberdare backs, gave the Wanderers a man advantage for 10 minutes. The Wanderers were not able to make to numerical difference tell and somewhat against the run of play Aberdare struck. From a scrum in midfield, they carried well and then released the backs out wide who raced away through a disappearing defence to score their third try 17-12. With their tails up the home side gained in confidence and soon afterwards they went further ahead. Moving the ball well they created the space out wide and once again went over in the corner for the bonus point try. A superb conversion out wide added the extras and the home side were in charge at 24-12. With plenty of time left in the game the Wanderers responded with some good phase play and when a penalty gave them good field position a second driving lineout resulted in a try for Cai Ifans 24-17. The Wanderers Massiv sensed an unlikely comeback but that was snuffed out when a well driven lineout of their own set up the home sides fifth try. The conversion made it a two score advantage again 31-17. As time started to run out the visitors rallied and a well worked team try set up Ed Thomas for a score but the conversion hit the posts leaving the Wanderers 9 points adrift 31-22. Remarkably there was one last chance. A Ceri Morris penalty reduced the arrears to 31-25 and with a play or two left there was hope. Unfortunately, the ball and possession was given away, this time by a forward pass, to end the game with a deserved victory for Aberdare. Final score 31-25.
Wanderers Scorers
Tries: Lee Highgate, AJ Walji, Cai Ifans, Ed Thomas
Cons: Tom Morrissey
Pens: Ceri Morris
Massiv MOM: Ed Thomas
Management MOM: AJ Walji
Match Pics: https://flic.kr/ps/c7gzd