7 try Wanderers enjoy the sun on their backs (and forwards)
Wanderers 55
Cambrian Welfare 13
On a lovely sunny evening at the Memorial Ground it was the visitors who came out of the blocks firing on all cylinders. An early line break got them field position and when the defence infringed a penalty got Cambrian on the scoreboard 0-3. The home side started to warm to their task with Ceri Morris orchestrating proceedings. The visitors had difficulty clearing their lines and from an initial lineout drive the forwards carried into the heart of the defence. Good quick ruck ball created space and Sam Hayman took the play deep. He was brought down close to the line but Shaun O’Rourke was in support and he crossed for the first try. Morris converted 7-3. The Wanderers scrum started to dominate and despite Cambrian’s willingness to run the ball at every opportunity the Wanderers defence was solid. A Morris penalty increased the advantage to 10-3 but then a penalty to the visitors gave them field position. A well organised lineout drive brought the pressure and when they peeled off blind they crossed for their first try 10-8. With 20 minutes gone there was little between the teams as the game certainly entertained the crowd. The home side then edged ahead again with a neat strike move from a scrum. The ball went into midfield and Hayman entered the line off his blindside wing. He broke the defence and out paced the cover to score in the corner. Unfortunately he was injured in the act of scoring and played no further part in the game. Morris converted from the touchline 17-8. The play was all in the Cambrian half but good defence kept the Wanderers out. Morris did add another penalty making it 20-8 but the half ended with the visitors on the attack. Handling well with forwards and backs involved they took play the length of the field and it was only real dogged scrambling defence in their own 22 prevented Cambrian from reducing the arrears. Half time 20-8.
Any thought of a second half revival by the visitors was dulled when a superb team try got the Wanderers scoreboard moving again. Attacking from deep AJ Walji made great strides down the wing and when confronted with the defence he found Cai Harries, running a great support line. He raced away clear of the tacklers to score under the posts. Morris converted 27-8. The game ebbed and flowed for a while with the visitors showing good spirit despite the scoreline. Whenever they had the chance they handled well and put the Wanderers under pressure. The home side defence continued to be solid and whenever turnover ball was available, no matter where in the field they were, they went on the attack. Both sides sent for fresh legs (or old Weston legs) and the pace of the game continued. Finn Davies had a 10 minute rest after a high tackle and with a few of the backs taking knocks the Wanderers Osian Phillips showed his centre skills to fill in. More Walji attacks from deep put pressure on the visitors but once again their defence held firm. Eventually something had to give and when the ball was moved into midfield debutant Josh Phillips sliced through the defence to score. Morris converted again 34-8. With the game now in the bag the Wanderers relaxed and started to show some of the early season form that had deserted the side during the cold weather. Finn Davies, back on the field crossed in the corner after a driving lineout and Morris added his 5th conversion 41-8. Cambrian still battled away and they were rewarded with a neat try out wide right making it 41-13 but the home side were not to be denied. A Zak Fifield turnover put the Wanderers on the attack and Gruff John Morris crossed for the 6th try. Morris again converted 48-13. The game ended when Cambrian, trying to move the ball again, got intercepted. Rob Weston had to put down his Zimmer frame to catch the ball and he looked more surprised than most in the ground when he raced (I use that word liberally) away to score. Morris rounded off a perfect night for his kicking with his 7th conversion. Final score 55-13.
Wanderers Scorers
Tries: Shaun O’Rourke, Sam Hayman, Cai Harries, Josh Phillips, Finn Davies, Gruff John Morris, Rob Weston
Cons: Ceri Morris (7)
Pens: Ceri Morris (2)
Massiv MOM: Ceri Morris
Management MOM: Ceri Morris