Wanderers made to work hard for convincing Victory
Wanderers 45
Ynysddu 3
“Good contribution from the whole squad today” commented head coach Paul Matthews “There is some disappointment that we left points out there and could have been more accurate in their 22”.
“Lineout was much improved today and our lineout drive continues to be more effective. Certainly, heading in the right direction” added forwards coach Huw Dowden.
On a bright afternoon at the Memorial Ground the Wanderers with their first home game since November were made to work hard for every point by a resilient Ynysddu side who battled hard right until the end. The Wanderers began brightly going through the phases and retaining possession well they put the visitors defence under pressure. Making sure the pace of the game was high the home side stretched the Ynysddu scramble defence and after flashing back blind Ned Bennett crossed for the first try of the afternoon 5-0. The visitors responded well. Going through the phases themselves they forced the Wanderers offside and a penalty reduced the arrears to 5-3. Ynysddu kept up the positive play and declining another penalty shot they went for a scrum deep in the home side 22. The home side defence dug deep and kept the visitors at bay and after winning a penalty of their own they cleared their lines. The Wanderers went back on the attack. With the driving maul to the fore the home side started to exert some pressure. Stealing a lineout in the opposition half the Wanderers went through the phases again and Ed Thomas was on hand to break through and score the second try. Ceri Morris converted 12-3. The game ebbed and flowed with Ynysddu certainly proving to be a tough nut to crack. Another driving lineout took play deep just before half time and after a couple of forward carries and drives Finn Davies popped up and forced hi way through the attention of the defence to score under the posts. Morris converted 19-3 at the half time break.
The Wanderers continued on the attack at the start of the second half. A move of several phases took play deep but inaccuracy in the red zone and good defending allowed Ynysddu to clear their lines. Back came the home side and once again it was the driving lineout that resulted in a try, Cai Ifans this time being the player crossing in a pile of bodies 24-3. The home side then spent 10 minutes when Alex Georgiou was yellow carded. Generously the visitors balanced it up soon afterwards with a yellow card of their own for a trip. The Wanderers then furnished an excellent team try. Once again good phase play took play out wide and an excellent offload by wing Cameron Atkins gave Thomas a chance. He shrugged off the defence to cross fore his second try. Tom Morrissey converted 31-3. Despite the daylight on the scoreboard Ynysddu continued to create chances and make the Wanderers work hard for every bit of ground gained. Huw Dowden came on to add his considerable bulk/ experience (delete as appropriate) and he was involved twice in a move that saw him squeeze his way over for the 6th try. Morrissey converted 38-3. The game ended with a 7th try. Whilst Steff Davies, the Ynysddu captain and several other players, got into a heated discussion about male grooming products Asanji Mofor sneaked away unnoticed and raced away 40 meters (without pulling a hamstring!!!!!!!!!!!!!) to score under the posts. Morrissey converted final score 45-3.
Wanderers Scorers
Tries: Ed Thomas (2), Ned Bennett, Asanji Mofor, Huw Dowden, Cai Ifans, Finn Davies
Cons: Tom Morrissey (3), Ceri Morris (2)
Pens:
Massiv MOM: Cai Ifans
Management MOM: Finn Davies
Match Pics: https://flic.kr/ps/c7gzd