Wanderers bow out of cup
Wanderers 16
Newcastle Emlyn 20
On a wet windy day at the Memorial ground the Wanderers bowed out of the cup as a dogged Newcastle Emlyn battled to a late win that could have gone either way.
“The margins between victory and defeat can be very small” commented rugby Chairman Tony Murphy. “If the ball Sam was chasing rolls another ½ metre we score, two scores clear and the result is probably different!”
“An Opportunity missed” added head coach Paul Matthews “Our error count and decision making put us under pressure in a game we could have won”.
On a heavy pitch the home side had first use of the wind and tide using the conditions to dominate the early territory without really being able to break down the visitor’s defence. An early penalty from Gruff Ab Ieuan put the Wanderers ahead but despite the conditions in their favour they could not extend their lead. Ab Ieuan saw a second penalty attempt go just wide before an attack from the West Walians gained them a penalty with which they levelled the scores at 3-3. The home side were forced into two early changes in the front 5 with Huw Dowden and Anthony Cox being replaced causing some reorganisation in the pack but despite that the Wanderers, with the conditions in their favour held the upper hand. At times guilty of trying to play a little too much rugby with a wet and slippery ball the home side struggled to find the right application to break down the visitors but eventually after good carries by the forwards they struck. Taking play deep good recycling in the opposition 22 created space and Osian Phillips went close. He was hauled down close to the line but his inside ball was picked up by Steff Davies who crashed over for an unconverted try 8-3. Newcastle Emlyn dug deep and having much the better of the breakdown area they resisted and nullified all the Wanderers attacks. A penalty allowed them to reduce the arrears just before half time to 8-6 and the home side took a slender 2-point lead into the break.
With the elements now in the visitor’s favour defending such a lead was always going to be tough. An Ab Ieuan penalty did extend the lead to 11-6 but with a strong wind on their backs it was easy to exit their own half when the Emlyn side needed to. From one such kick the Wanderers were forced to defend on their own line and with the kick option having little benefit they tried to run from their own line. An interception pass gifted the visitors their first try under the posts and it was game on at 11-13. The home side responded well, showing when ball could be moved and possession retained, what they could do. Again, taking play deep they moved it wide and Sam Hayman crossed in the corner 16-13. The game entered its final quarter with all to play for. Both sides sent for fresh legs and the condition dictated that more and more mistakes were evident when either side attacked. With time running out the Wanderers defence held firm and when a penalty was awarded in their own half Davies took a quick tap and he broke away. Feeding Hayman he kicked ahead. The defence failed to gather the ball and Hayman hacked the ball on. Outpacing the defenders, he was first to the ball but as he gathered it inches from the line the ball spilled free and went out of play. The score would have put the home side 2 scores clear but it resulted in a goal line drop out. The game entered injury time and with the visitor’s scrum starting to gain the upper hand they applied pressure one last time. After 2 penalties they moved the ball into midfield and crossed under the posts for the final winning score of the game. Final score 16-20 and Newcastle Emlyn go through to the next round.
Wanderer’s scorers
Tries: Steff Davies, Sam Hayman
Pens: Gruff Ab Ieuan (2)
Massiv MOM: Osian Phillips
Management MOM: Osian Phillips
Matchg Pics: https://flic.kr/ps/c7gzd