Magnificent 7 sees Wanderers win again

Wanderers 50
Rumney 29

“Pleasing to see the boys play with a smile on their faces” commented head coach Paul Matthews “the set piece gave us the platform to express ourselves with pace and accuracy.”

Manager Mark Gould added “Great way to round off the home games for the season. There is so much potential in this side I’m already excited about next season.”

A Lovely afternoon greeted the players for the Wanderers last home game of the season and it turned into a contest between the powerful Rumney pack and the slick home side backs. The home side were out of the blocks the smartest and early pressure came on to the visitors. Will Adams Jones, having been dug out of a retirement home to play, showed his trademark forward roll early to entertain the crowd and when Rumney transgressed just outside their 22 Ceri, can you tell I bought new boots last week, Morris landed the penalty 3-0. Cleary relishing the sunny weather the home side backs were soon on the attack again. Attacking from deep AJ Walji made ground and having taken play deep into Rumney territory Morris put in a cross kick. Josh Phillips rose above the defence to gather the ball and he crashed over in the corner for the first try of the day. Morris landed the conversion from the touchline 10-0. The visitors started to find their stride as they settled into their task. A penalty gave them field position and the subsequent lineout saw the inevitable drive. The Wanderers appeared to hold the ball but the visitors power saw them crash over for their first try. Another touchline conversion landed 10-7. Back came the Wanderers and after another AJ break from deep Osian Phillips was denied as he was hauled down just short of the line. The home side then extended their lead when a Rumney attack saw a little chip over the top gathered by Josh Phillips. He stepped the onrushing attackers turned on the afterburners and sliced through to run in from 40 metres. Morris again added the extras 17-7 (passing his 100 points for the season- think what might have been if he’d had those boots in November). The home side then had to endure 10 minutes down to 14 men when WAJ had to leave the field to take a call from his soon to be wife whom he’d told that he was going shopping and in no way was he playing rugby! Just before the 30 minute mark Rumney mounted a period of pressure. On the back of positive scrummaging and good carrying they piled pressure on the Wanderers line. The defence appeared to be holding but when the ball was moved wide the man advantage was decisive and they crossed for their second try. The extras were added and the visitors were back in the game at 17-14. The game ebbed and flowed with the Rumney scrum having the edge but the home side backs looking dangerous whenever the ball was available. A penalty gave the Wanderers field position and a drive nearly put Ashley Bissett over but the Rumney defence held firm. The home side then increased the lead again. From a scrum on the retreat Dylan Lawley picked up well and found the blindside open. He raced away and put scrum half Cai Harries in the clear. He crossed for the third try 22-14. The visitors went back on the attack but the Wanderers dug deep to send the sides into the break with the Massiv wondering would the dreaded 22 on the scoreboard be our undoing again!

The Wanderers made 1 change at the break with fan favourite/ Taff’s favourite? Finn Davies, making his 50th appearance for the club on in the back row. Rumney started brightly and they reduced the arrears with a penalty 22-17. There was very little quarter given as both sides looked for the advantage. A forward pass as the visitors tried to carry from defence gave the home side their next chance. From the scrum good carries took play deep and Morris was on hand to force his way over for the bonus point try which he converted himself 29-17. Rumney responded with a period of solid pressure. Both sides started to send for fresh legs and there was no let up in the power of the Rumney pack. A penalty gave them field position and a series of penalties mounted the pressure. The Wanderers held for a while but another well orchestrated lineout drive saw them force their way over for their third try to keep them in the hunt at 29-22. The Wanderers then really brought out their A game to seal the win. First a strong carry by Gruff John Morris resulted in Davies crashing over for a try converted by Morris 36-22 and then after a turnover in Wanderers territory they struck again. Gabe Williams set the move in motion. Morris broke clear and then WAJ (with his girlfriend’s permission) took play deep. The ball was recycled and Morris popped up for the second time in the move to score his second try. He added the extras 43-22. Despite the scoreline Rumney didn’t fold and they kept working hard challenging at every opportunity. Their challenge was made more difficult when the Wanderers added their 7th try. A neat move from a scrum took play deep and WAJ went close again. This time Zak Fifield was on hand to take the scoring pass as he crossed for the try in the corner. Morris added his 6th conversion 50-22. The scoring for the day was ended when Rumney claimed their bonus point try after another strong driving lineout saw them crash over but it was the Wanderers who deservedly ran out winners at the final whistle 50-29.
One more game to go and don’t forget it’s a 1pm KO at Beddau next week before the club dinner.

Wanderers Scorers

Tries: Josh Phillips (2), Ceri Morris(2), Cai Harries, Finn Davies, Zak Fifield
Cons: Ceri Morris (6)
Pens: Ceri Morris

Massiv MOM: Osian Phillips
Management MOM: AJ Walji

Match Pics: https://flic.kr/ps/c7gzd