“Mules” tamed by Wanderers second half display

Kenfig Hill 18
Wanderers 46

“Stung by some criticism in the last week the pack fronted up today and when conditions were in our favour the backs showed what they can do by finishing the chances created” commented a happy head coach Paul Matthews.

“The boys dug deep against the elements and it was pleasing to see us manage the game when the elements were in our favour” added Manager Mark Gould.

On a blustery afternoon in Kenfig Hill the game saw all four seasons with rain, sunshine and an occasionally bitterly cold wind making play at time a real challenge. Kenfig kicked off with the wind on their backs and with a cup quarter final at stake the early stages were cagey. Into the wind the Wanderers used their driving maul from lineouts as a weapon to gain ground but when they released the backs the home side defence was solid preventing any scores. From a penalty that provided another driving opportunity the visitors broke the deadlock. Closed quarter driving from the pack took play deep and when a penalty was awarded in front of the posts Gruff Ab Ieuan landed the penalty 0-3. The Mules hit straight back. Going through the phases they induced an offside offence and the penalty levelled it up 3-3. Starting to warm to their task Kenfig showed that their backs could be dangerous with some slick handling but the Wanderers defence was up to the task. Declining a three-point chance the home side elected for a lineout 5 metres out but once again the visitors defence dug deep and relieved the pressure. The half ebbed and flowed with little quarter given as both sides strived for the breakthrough. With the pack picking and driving the Wanderers were able to maintain possession and put some pressure on the Mules but despite their efforts the red zone was marshalled well by the Kenfig defence and with the wind they were able to clear. The close order driving continued and at last a breach was made. Ashley Bissett carried after drives by other forwards and his neat offload to scrum half Steff Davies allowed Davies to squeeze through the tacklers and score the first try of the day 3-8. The home side responded. Taking play deep once again they forced the visitors to transgress and the penalty narrowed the deficit to 6-8. Back came the Wanderers and once again driving from the forwards set up a chance. Stealing a Mules lineout deep in their 22 Dylan Lawley went close then with the ball being shipped wide captain AJ Walji was on hand to finish the move with his first try 8-13. The half entered its final minutes with Kenfig back on the attack. Countering from a Sam Hayman kick they went well down the left wing and after gaining a lineout deep in Wanderers territory they attacked again. The ball appeared to go loose but it was the home side who regathered and they forced their way over besides the posts. The conversion was good and the sides went into the break at 13-13.
The Wanderers faithful felt a little wary as the half began. Having the elements on side has proved twice this season to be no advantage but this time things were different. Getting pressure inside the home teams 22 they made it difficult for Kenfig to clear their lines. Once again it was the close order driving that set up a score and outside half Ab Ieuan was on hand to force his way over for the third try which he converted himself 13-20. Buoyed by the score the Wanderers were straight back on the attack. A neat kick through by Davies set up a 5-metre scrum and after Walji had carried into midfield a cross kick into the dead ball area saw Hayman first to the ball for the 4th try of the afternoon 13-25. The home side sent for fresh legs and some little errors started to creep into their play. When the kick off failed to go 10 metres the visitors were able to pin the Kenfig side back once again. A driving lineout took play close again and when the ball went wide Walji was again on hand to cross for his second try. Ab Ieuan landed the touchline conversion 13-32. With some daylight on the scoreboard the Wanderers started to dictate the play and with the elements against them the Mules were finding it difficult to move play up field. Once again, a kick deep provided the catalyst for a score. As the Kenfig defence tried to gather the loose ball it bounced clear and the onrushing attackers were there in numbers. As the ball rolled into the dead ball area Hayman was first to it to touch down for his second try. Ab Ieuan converted 13-39. The rain started again as both sides started to empty their benches. The game entered its last quarter and the Wanderers extended their lead. After attacking down the right wing good recycling sent the ball into midfield and Bleddyn Morgan kicked through. The defence, having been stretched, was caught with forwards out wide and Walji showed his paces as he raced through picked up the loose ball and crossed for his hat trick. Ab Ieuan converted 13-46. With the game out of their grasp the home side rallied superbly. Showing that they were not going to roll over they ended the game with some slick moves. Going down the blind from deep they added a second try to make it 18-46 and as the game entered injury time they went on the attack again. Several penalties put pressure on the visitors and lots of drives from the forwards and backs put the Wanderers under pressure. Not going to give up a score easily the visitors threw everything into defending their line Lawley saw yellow for a ruck offence but the Wanderers held on to prevent any further scores. Final score Kenfig 18 Wanderers 46.

Wanderer’s scorers

Tries: Steff Davies, AJ Walji (3), Sam Hayman (2), Gruff Ab Ieuan
Cons: Gruff Ab Ieuan (4)
Pens: Gruff Ab Ieuan (1)

Massiv MOM: AJ Walji
Management MOM: Ashley Bissett

Match Pics: https://flic.kr/ps/c7gzd