7 try Wanderers see off battling Old firm
Wanderers 39
Mountain Ash 26
On a lovely bright afternoon at the Memorial Ground Mountain Ash had use of a strong breeze on their backs but it was the home side that began brighter. Going through the phases deep in Old firm territory Captain AJ Walji took the play into the red zone and when the ball was recycled wide left Asanji Mofor was on hand to cross for the opening score 5-0. That lead was doubled soon afterwards when, after a Walji break on halfway, Ed Thomas was on hand this time to take a scoring pass as he raced 40 metres to score the second try 10-0. Back came Mountain Ash showing that they were not going to roll over. Moving the ball wide themselves they broke through and when a little grubber kick was regathered, they crossed for their opening try 10-7. The Wanderers scrum started to dominate but the Old Firm were soon ahead as the game swung from end to end. Moving the ball wide again, this time to the right wing, the visitors created space and raced away to score their second try taking the lead 10-12. The home side responded well. Scrum half Steff Davies made a break down the blindside and he was ably supported by the pack. Unfortunately, despite decent ball retention the move broke down in the Mountain Ash 22 and they were able to clear the danger. There was little respite in the play from both sides and as the half entered its final quarter the Wanderers were ahead again. From good scrum ball Mofor carried well and Anthony Cox popped up to smash through the defence and crash over. Unfortunately, the home side kicking woes continued and a third missed conversion left the score at 15-12. The scoring didn’t let up and just before the half time whistle the Old Firm were ahead again. Showing good handling skills they broke through the defence and crossed for their third try, converted, to edge them ahead 15-19 at the break.
The second half saw no let up, in the end to end play. Both sides had chances but scrambling defence kept the scoreboard still. Eventually the half deadlock was broken slightly against the run of play. The visitors were on the attack but when a pass went astray the loose ball was gathered by sub Sam Hayman who showed a clean pair of heels to would be chasers as he raced away to score. Steff Davies, now on kicking duty, landed a conversion from the touchline and the home side were back in front 22-19. Those close followers of the Wanderers know that 22 is bad omen on the scoreboard and once again it proved to be the case and the visitors were soon back in front as they scored their bonus point try making it 22-26 with 15 minutes left. With the scrum still dominant there was still plenty of time to go and a simple move out wide right by the Wanderers backs saw Walji supply Hayman with a pass in space and he, once again, raced clear to score and put the home side back in the lead 27-26. It was still anyone’s game and the result was hard to call but this time, unlike the game at Mountain Ash earlier in the season, the Wanderers were not going to fold in the dying minutes. A solid lineout drive from the pack put the defence on the back foot and when Mofor carried well he slipped the ball to Walji on his shoulder and the captain crossed to score the sixth try. Davies converted and the home side were two score ahead 34-26. The game ended with a 7th try as the man who started the scoring, Mofor, crossed after the visitors were driven off their own scrum ball. Once again the conversion was missed but the Wanderers were relieved victors in a thoroughly entertaining game at 39-26.
Wanderers Scorers
Tries: Asanji Mofor (2), Ed Thomas, Anthony Cox, Sam Hayman (2), AJ Walji
Cons: Steff Davies (2)
Massiv MOM: AJ Walji
Management MOM: Zak Fifield
Pics: https://flic.kr/ps/c7gzd