Spoils shared at the Memorial Ground

Wanderers 29
Talywain 29

“The frustrating nature of our season continues” commented manager Mark Gould “at times we are our own worst enemy”.

On a pleasant afternoon at the Memorial ground Talywain and the Wanderers served up a nail-biting game in which honours were shared, probably leaving both sides feeling they should have taken the points.
The game began brightly for the home side a break down the left wing by Asanji Mofor was recycled wide right. Gruff John-Morris carried well and after further phases a neat chip over the top by Ceri Morris was gathered by Mofor and he crashed over for the opening try. The conversion went wide 5-0. The lead didn’t last long and once again it was a chip over the top, this time by the Talywain 10, that provided the score. This was converted and the visitors led 5-7. Some aerial tennis followed as both sides settled and then the home side struck for the second time. From a dominant scrum the ball was moved wide. Captain Josh Male bumped off a would be tackler and put Mofor in the clear. He took play deep and when hauled down near the line Steff Davies popped up in support and he crashed over for the second try. Ceri Morris converted from out wide 12-7. The Wanderers, buoyed by the lead built some pressure but the Talywain defence was solid and they resisted the home side attacks. Back on the offence Talywain moved the ball wide right and took play deep into the 22. After recycling well they seemed to have missed the opportunity but a sneak down the blindside of a ruck saw them register their second converted try 12-14. The half ebbed and flowed and then just before the break the visitors struck again. A penalty was quickly taken and some slick handling set them away for their third try putting the sides into the break at 12-21 and Talywain on top.

The club were indebted to members of Boycezone who entertained the crowd from the long stand during the break and the “Hwyl” galvanised the home side. Mofor was again on the charge supported by John-Morris and when the visitors infringed on their 22 they were reduced to 14 men for 10 minutes. The pressure was once again brought down on the Talywain defence but they dug deep and held on. Eventually some thing had to give and when Morris put AJ Walji in space he sliced through the defence to score in the corner 17-21. The Wanderers then had a chance to reduce the arrears even more with a penalty shot but Morris’s kick went wide still 17-21. Once again more aerial tennis followed and the Wanderers were forced into a change when Captain Josh Male left the field with an injury.  Both sides searched for openings and Talywain increased their lead when a penalty for offside gave them a shot at goal, duly converted 17-24. That left the Wanderers adrift but there was still plenty of drama to come. A great team try got the home side back in the game. Carries from both forwards and backs took the play into the 22 and Cameron Atkins on as Male’s sub crossed out wide right for the score. Morris converted and it was all tied up at 24-24. The game entered its final quarter with all to play for. Time was running out for the decisive score and the home side clearly thought they’d stolen it as the game entered injury time. A quickly taken penalty nearly put Atkins in for his second try but when the visitors offended at a ruck the Wanderers elected for a lineout. The drive came on, well defended by Talywain but Steff Davies saw an opportunity and he sneaked over down the blindside. The conversion went wide but the Wanderers were ahead 29-24. There was still time for a kick off and as often has happened this season the Wanderers failed to deal with the kick. Talywain went on the offensive and a penalty gave them one last lineout deep in Wanderers territory. The home side resisted the inevitable drive but when the ball was recycled into midfield the visitors squeezed over for their fourth try of the game, levelling it up at 29-29 with the conversion to come. Agonisingly for Talywain the kick slid past the post and the game was drawn at 29-29.

Wanderers scorers:

Tries: Asanji Mofor, Steff Davies (2), Cameron Atkins, AJ Walji

Cons: Ceri Morris (2)

Pens:

Massiv Man of the match: Rhys Iles
Management Man of the match: Steff Davies

Match Pics: https://flic.kr/ps/c7gzd