Wanderers find rich seam at the home of the Pitmen
Penallta 5
Wanderers 72
“A game of two halves” commented a soaked head of content Emyr John “First half better suited to aquatic animals; second half just about dry enough to watch some rugby!”
“Pack was excellent considering the conditions. Laid the platform for some great controlled rugby” commented head coach Paul Matthews.
“Dominant at scrum and driving maul and the game management considering the conditions was excellent” added forwards coach Huw Dowden.
“If you look at the scoreline you see a very one-sided game but Penallta deserve massive credit for staying in the fight for 80 minutes on such an awful day” team manager Mark Gould.
With just about everyone (including the players) looking for some sort of shelter the sides took to the field in a torrential downpour. An early chance for the Wanderers resulted in a penalty 5 metres out which they elected to run but the home side defence was solid and drowned the threat. Back came the visitors showing good control in the rain and when awarded a second kickable penalty Gruffydd Ab Ieuan stepped up to open the scoring 0-3. On the back of a dominant scrum the Wanderers started to exert pressure and after captain Steff Davies went close Nathan Williams carried on the drive and Finn Davies was on hand to splash over for the first try of the game. Ab Ieuan converted 0-10. Penallta responded. Playing with the tide they were awarded a penalty, but a shot went just wide. With conditions not letting up the Wanderers went back on the attack. A good kick chase was followed up by good counter rucking and the turnover was converted when second row Nathan Williams powered over for the second try. Ab Ieuan added the extras 0-17. The momentum was all with the Wanderers and Davies was next on the scoresheet. On the back of a driving lineout Cai Ifans broke clear on the blindside and Davies took the pass to race away and score in the corner 0-22. With set piece domination on the side of the Wanderers the home side were always on the back foot, but their spirit was clear to see as they dug deep and refused to sink in the conditions. Things got worse when a lovely weighted grubber kick allowed Sam Hayman to aquaplane in for the fourth try. Unfortunately, such was his momentum (see match pics) he slid into the pitch side barrier and was forced from the field with a large egg attached to his head! Ab Ieuan converted superbly from the touchline 0-29. The home side still stuck to their task and they had a short period of pressure well defended by the visitors and having relieved the pressure the Wanderers went back on the attack. After a move of several phases there was a near repeat of the Hayman try. Another grubber to the corner was this time chased by Ed Thomas. He touched down and fortunately he is a little slighter than Hayman, so his slide avoided the barrier, 0-34. The half entered its final minutes with the visitors still dominant. Playing the conditions superbly and with great handling from both forwards and backs the home side could not get parity. The half ended when after forcing a 5 metre scrum Davies exploited a large blind side space and with good use of his inflated arm bands he slid over for the 6th try of the half and the sides took to the warmth of the changing rooms with the score at 0-39.
The rain eased a little for the second half, but the scoring continued. After a lineout in the Penallta 22 the Wanderers recycled the ball back and forth. Anthony Cox carried into contact and when the defence found him smeared in a fresh layer of Vaseline, they fell off the tackles. Cox, using his long legs skated over the surface and crossed for the try. Ab Ieuan converted 0-46. Despite the result not being in doubt the home side continued to show great spirit and determination and eventually they were rewarded with a neat score manufactured down the left wing 5-46. The score buoyed the home side and they had a period where they really got stuck into the Wanderers who had to dig deep in defence. Eventually their resolve petered out and the visitors went back on the attack. With both sides having called out to the RNLI for subs (players not underwater vehicles) it was one of those, Sam Reed who having carried well, offloaded to Zak Fifield who scored. Ab Ieuan converted 5-53. Having regained the momentum, as the crowd started to dry out, the scoring continued. Ed Thomas crossed for his second try again superbly converted from out wide by Ab Ieuan 5-60. Back came the Wanderers and this time the scrum provided the platform. A 5-metre drive looked to be going over but instead number 8 Ashley Bissett took the opportunity to pick up and power over for the 10th try 5-65. The last try of the game soon followed when Ned Bennett popped up in midfield and he sliced through the tiring defence to score under the posts. Ab Ieuan added the extras 5-72. Somewhat fittingly the game ended with Penallta on the attack showing that despite the scoreboard their spirit wasn’t to be drowned out by the rain, but the visitors defence held firm. Final score 5-72.
Wanderers Scorers
Tries: Finn Davies, Nathan Williams, Steff Davies (2), Sam Hayman, Ed Thomas (2), Ned Bennett, Zak Fifield, Anthony Cox, Ashley Bissett
Cons: Gruffydd Ab Ieuan (7)
Pens: Gruffydd Ab Ieuan
Management MOM: Gruffydd Ab Ieuan
Massiv MOM: Gruffydd Ab Ieuan
Match Pics: https://flic.kr/ps/c7gzd