Wanderers dig deep to pip Pitmen at the death

Penallta 20

Wanderers 21

“Certainly played our get out of jail card on that one” commented manager Mark Gould.

“Credit to the boys for not giving up against a good and spirited Penallta side” added Old timer Lee Highgate.

Head coach Paul Matthews “Great fighting spirit to clinch a win in the dying moments of the game. Several players put in really big shifts”.

It was Championship third versus fourth on a blustery day and with a strong wind in their faces the Wanderers were out of the blocks smartly. Following a lineout drive from the Pitmen’s 10 metre line they set up play. AJ Walji took play into the home side 22 and when the ball was moved wide left Asanji Mofor crossed for the opening score. Ceri Morris converted from out on the touchline 0-7. Penallta settled into their game and a period of pressure followed. Going through the phases they took play deep and only determined defence held them out. Finding the wind difficult when clearing the ball, the visitors were soon under pressure again. Eventually something had to give and when the ball went into midfield the Pitmen sliced through the defence to score under the posts. The conversion added the extras 7-7.  The game ebbed and flowed with both sides struggling a little with the conditions. When a high tackle on halfway gave the home side a penalty the conditions were in their favour and a well taken long range shot edged them ahead 10-7. Back came the visitors and with more powerful carries from Mofor the Wanderers had decent field position. A high tackle, this time from the Penallta defence allowed Morris to slot an easy penalty levelling it up at 10-10. There was very little between the sides as both strived for the advantage. The game was halted for a minute after a lively discussion amongst a few forwards about whether putting the clocks forward would actually improve Coxy’s time keeping or just confuse him too much, resulted in no clear action by the referee and the game settled into the last quarter of the half. Two penalty shots from the home side followed but both failed to find the target leaving the score at 10-10 with little time left in the half. Huw Dowden left the field to be replaced by Owen Hatherill when the rumour of the arrival of a burger van became too much to cope with and the last play of the 40 saw Mofor carry strongly as did Anthony Cox and another high tackle offence allowed Morris to add a second penalty and to send the teams into the break with the Wanderers just ahead 10-13.

There was a lively start to the half by the visitors, but the Pitmen’s defence was up to the task and after holding off the attacks they went back on the offence themselves. With some slick handling into the wind they gained space out wide and raced away to score their second try which edged them ahead 15-13. The back-and-forth nature of the game continued as both sides continued to find the conditions challenging. When the home side conceded another penalty in their 22 Morris added his third penalty to edge the Wanderers ahead again at 15-16. Both sides started to look for fresh legs as the game entered its final quarter and the home side once again got their noses in front when more good handling and running rugby furnished them with their third try, giving them a four-point lead at 20-16. Back came the visitors digging deep to apply the pressure but Penallta held firm. When the Wanderers were awarded a penalty in front of the posts they decided on the scrum and a series of close quarter drives followed. Penallta showed real tenacity to hold off the assault but into the wind clearance was difficult. They did manage a break downfield but on regaining possession back came the visitors. Time was running out and when another penalty gave to Wanderers a final chance, once again they elected for the scrum. Driving for the line they were held up but on recycling the ball went wide and Ed Thomas was on hand to cross for the crucial score 20-21. There was still more injury time to play and Penallta went back on the attack one last time. Unfortunately, the ball was spilled in Wanderers territory and the last scrum of the day allowed the visitors to clear the ball into the crowd to record a win on the road. Final score 20-21.

Wanderers Scorers

Tries: Asanji Mofor, Ed Thomas
Cons: Ceri Morris
Pens: Ceri Morris (3)

Massiv MOM:  Alex Georgiou
Management MOM: Asanji Mofor

Match Pics: https://flic.kr/ps/c7gzd