Wanderers edge past dogged Quins in Mallett Cup

Wanderers 22
Cardiff Quins 14

“The conditions dictated so much of the play for both sides. Credit to the Quins they stuck to the task and made life very difficult for us” commented manager Mark Gould.

“Certainly not a classic however cup rugby is all about winning and we did that. Quins never gave in and they pushed us right to the final whistle” added head coach Paul Matthews.

After a late downpour the conditions were certainly not for running rugby and the game got a little bogged down between the 10 metre lines. Despite that an entertaining game saw the Wanderers squeeze through after some late scares as they were pushed all the way by a determined and dogged Quins side. Early tempo gave the home side the advantage whilst the ball wasn’t caked in mud and the pressure was firmly on the visitors. The Wanderers were reduced to 14 for 10 minutes after Mike Vaughan, who seemed to have brought a large number of his ‘only fans’ followers with him, saw yellow when a Quins prop took exception to his choice of hairspray.  With a man down the tempo remained and the home side took the lead after Asanji Mofor made ground out wide. The ball was spilled (the first of many times) but Rhys Iles showed some neat footballing skills to hack ahead, chase up and pounce on the ball for the first try of the evening 5-0. Under the tough conditions the Quins struggled to relieve the pressure and when a penalty gave the Wanderers good field position they doubled their score. A neat lineout drive saw Gruff-John Morris emerge from the mud and squeeze over for the second try. Tom Morrissey converted 12-0. At this time it was all pressure from the home side but conditions prevented both sides playing expansive rugby. The pace dropped as players found it difficult to free themselves in the conditions and the power of the home side scrum and lineout kept the visitors under the cosh. Just before the break another penalty gave the wanderers another drive in the mud and this time it was Anthony Cox who emerged with the ball and he crashed over making it 17-0 at the break.

The half time oranges were clearly laced with some interesting substances as the second half could not have been different. The Quins came out with real intent and they started to make space and cut the Wanderers defensive line. One could have been forgiven into thinking that the game was played in a howling gale as this half was camped in the same part of the pitch as the first but with the sides playing the other way around. A neat lineout move handed the visitors their first try, well converted from out wide 17-7 and the pressure was all of a sudden heaped onto the home side. Struggling to free their lines the Wanderers were forced into a series of defensive sets as the Quins set about getting back into the game. There was relief when a good carry by skipper Josh Male set up a try for Finn Davies making it 22-7  but as all the Wanderers faithful know when the home side hit 22 panic sets in. The Quins mounted several attacks and finally crossed for their second try, which was converted and they were within two scores at 22-14. The Massiv looked to their watches hoping that time would run out but as the referee found plenty of injury time nails were bitten to the core as the home side hung on and a collective sigh of relief was heard when Steff Davies kicked the ball off the field to end the game. A deserved win for the Wanderers in the conditions but credit to the Quins who fought right until the end. Final Score 22-14.

Wanderers Scorers

Tries: Rhys Iles, Gruff John Morris, Anthony Cox, Finn Davies.
Cons: Tom Morrissey

Massiv MOM: Anthony Cox
Management MOM: Anthony Cox

Match Pics: https://flic.kr/ps/c7gzd