Wanderers dig deep on the Road
Brynmawr 17
Wanderers 22
“A tough game and we had to dig really deep to come away with the win” commented head coach Paul Matthews. “We still need to be more clinical when scoring opportunities arise”.
“Great effort from 1-20” added forwards coach Huw Dowden “Considering two debutants and several players out of position the character shown was really positive”.
On a grey but dry still day in the heads of the valleys a lively start saw both sides moving the ball wide when in possession. The first real chance came to the Wanderers after a driving lineout set the backs free in the Brynmawr 22 but dogged defence from the home side denied the attack and a “mark” from a cross field kick allowed the pressure to ease. The visitors continued in the ascendancy but the home side defence was solid and despite chances the Wanderers didn’t really look like opening the scoring. Brynmawr settled and they were the first on the board. A penalty in the visitors’ territory gave them the chance and the successful kick made it 3-0. The visitors responded by going straight back on the attack and a high tackle allowed Ceri Morris to level it up at 3-3. Brynmawr kicked off and from deep the Wanderers struck. Ed Thomas broke from his own 22 and he took play deep. Ashley Bissett was up in support to take a pass and he fed Steff Davies who outpaced the chasing defenders to cross besides the posts. Morris converted 3-10. Both sides then engaged in a spot of aerial tennis with little reward or productivity and when the visitors were caught offside at a ruck the arrears were reduced to 6-10 as the half entered its last quarter. Another attack from deep nearly brought dividend for the Wanderers but good scrambling defence denied Davies. The half went into injury time and a third penalty for the home side made it a one-point game going into the break, Half time 9-10.
The Wanderers came out of the break with more intent but once again lack of composure in the opposition half relieved the pressure. Brynmawr had a chance to take the lead with a 4th penalty but the shot slipped wide. The visitors then edged further ahead. Brynmawr elected to run from deep and as the ball went wide Asanji Mofor, playing on the wing instead of the backrow, intercepted a pass and he cantered in from 20 metres to score. Morris converted 9-17. The Wanderers then extended the lead soon afterwards. The ball from a home side scrum squirted loose and Davies put ed Thomas away. He fed Finn Davies who took play to the 22 and debutant Gruff John Morris, on as a sub at hooker, was in support. He shrugged off a couple of defenders and crashed over for the Wanderers third try 9-22. The Wanderers faithful immediately looked worried as we all know a score of 22-? with little time left only spells trouble for the Wanderers. A penalty gave Brynmawr good field position and after a big catch and drive by forwards and backs the maul went down. Morris saw yellow and the home side went back on the attack with another driving lineout. This time with backs involved in the drive again they were able to cross for their first try 14-22. Time started to run out and the Wanderers did have a couple of chances to put the game beyond reach but again dogged defence and poor game management allowed Brynmawr to stay in the match. Injury time arrived and a penalty for the home side was kicked to gain the losing bonus point at 17-22 but despite the clock being seriously red there was still time for one last twist. Allowing the home side to break from their 22 the visitors were forced back on their heels. Several penalties followed allowing Brynmawr to set up a game winning lineout. The drive from the lineout came on once again with several backs joining in. A number of close quarter drives took place and as the Wanderers faithful looked for divine intervention John Morris somehow got his hands on the ball. Penalty greatly received and the ball was cleared off the field to give the Wanderers a really dogged win. Final score 17-22.
Wanderers’ scorers:
Tries: Steff Davies, Asanji Mofor, Gruff John Morris
Cons: Ceri Morris (2)
Pens: Ceri Morris
Massiv Man of the match: Finn Davies
Management Man of the match: Ed Thomas
Match Pics: https://flic.kr/ps/c7gzd