“Snakes” Charmed at the Memorial Ground
Wanderers 38
Aberdare 7
“A good performance against a dogged Aberdare side.” Commented Huw Dowden forward’s coach.
“Workmanlike, solid performance although 2nd half we got a little carried away” added Manager Mark Gould.
On a gusty afternoon at the Memorial Ground there was an impeccably respected minutes silence before the game as the club paid tribute to ex-Chairman John Lyons who died in an accident on the Thursday before the game.
The opening exchanges were fairly even with both sides showing a willingness to put the ball through the hands. Ethan Hunt had an early chance to stretch his legs on his first start but both defences showed good organisation to keep the scoreboard quiet. An impressive scrum from the home side set up an attack for the Wanderers but despite going close the ball was turned over and Aberdare cleared. From the subsequent lineout the Wanderers struck. A drive by the forwards narrowed the defence and when the ball was released Ed Thomas appeared in the line to slice through and score. Gruff Ab Ieuan converted 7-0. The “Snakes” certainly had plenty of possession in the first quarter but they found the home side defence hard to break down and when they did little handling errors prevented any scores. The Wanderers then doubled their score. On the attack Ab Ieuan cross kicked to captain AJ Walji who gathered the ball and when confronted by the covering defence he passed inside to Steff Davies in support. Davies raced away to score and Ab Ieuan converted 14-0. A penalty to the visitors set up their first real try chance but dogged defence from the home side snuffed out the challenge and the ball was cleared back to halfway. Aberdare had another chance when, after the Wanderers had charged down a kick in the visitors 22, they regathered and set off downfield. Good support took the play deep but excellent scrambling defence from the home side managed to prevent a score. Back came the Wanderers and Walji was again to the fore as he took an attack deep. The ball was recycled well but after a few phases the play was halted. Fortunately the referee was playing an advantage and from a penalty in front of the posts Ab Ieuan added the first penalty 17-0. The half entered its final minutes and another penalty chance allowed Ab Ieuan to extend the lead further with his second penalty 20-0. Aberdare continued to compete well despite the scoreline but little errors continued to thwart their attacks. Just as the faithful were thinking that the official had lost his egg timer the half time whistle blew and the sides went into the break with the Wanderers comfortably ahead 20-0.
The wind continued to gust making some kicking out of hand difficult for both sides as the second half began. With the scoreboard comfortably set in the Wanderers favour the home side backs set about some ambitious plays involving long passes out wide. On 3 occasions the ball was nearly intercepted by the visitor’s defence and only knock-ons kept the home side with the healthy advantage. The game ebbed and flowed and the Snakes showed that on another day with a little luck things could be very different. They eventually got their account on the board when an attack of several phases resulted in a deserved converted try making it 20-7. The Wanderers settled into a more sensible approach for a while and the forwards, still dominating in the scrum went close after a drive. A third penalty for Ab Ieuan extended the lead to three scores 23-7, giving the home side support a feeling of more security and when another long looped pass from Ab Ieuan finally found its target, AJ Walji on the left wing, he sauntered in to score the third try. Ab Ieuan converted 30-7. With progression into the next round secured the game lost a little edge but Aberdare never rolled over. A wonderful line by Emyr Jones sliced through the defence and when quick recycled ball presented another chance a deliberate knock on in defence saw a yellow card reducing the visitors to 14. The final try of the day followed. Another attack taking play deep was supported by sub Rhys Iles and as he was hauled down on the line an neat off load to supporting Tyler Martin saw him cross for his first try for the club 35-7. The afternoons scoring was rounded off when another attack resulted in a penalty and Ab Ieuan kicked his 4th of the day to finish the game and send the Wanderers into the next round of the cup. Final score 38-7.
Wanderer’s scorers
Tries: Steff Davies, Ed Thomas, AJ Walji, Tyler Martin
Cons: Gruff Ab Ieuan (3)
Pens: Gruff Ab Ieuan (4)
Massiv MOM: Anthony Cox
Management MOM: Zak Fifield
Match Pics: https://flic.kr/ps/c7gzd