Wanderers up to 2nd after Bonus point win

Wanderers 39
St Peters 24

“Dominant display for 60 minutes. Set piece laid the platform for the backs to play some good attacking rugby” Commented head coach Paul Matthews.

“A good result although we relaxed too soon having won the game” added Manager Mark Gould.

On a dry but cold afternoon it was the visitors who came out of the blocks firing on all cylinders (later attributed by the Wanderers to the fact that the pitch reminded them of pre-season training in the dunes at Merthyr Mawr??) Moving the ball well from good lineout ball they forced the home side onto the back foot. Several phases in they created the chance and crossed for their first try 0-7. The Wanderers settled to their task, Dylan Lawley was prominent carrying well and the home side looked to move the ball wide when in possession. Pressurising the Rocks line from a lineout drive and then scrum they went close, but the St Peters defence was solid and they cleared their lines.  Back came the home side starting to relish the task and when a penalty was awarded in the visitors 22 Gruff Ab Ieuan stepped up to reduce the arrears 3-7. St Peters responded well and the counter attacked from a kick. Handling well and with a willingness to play rugby at every opportunity they had a spell of pressure. The Wanderers scrambled back but conceded a penalty just outside their 22. Unfortunately, as the kicker stepped up to kick, one of the giant moles that seemed to have made a home on the ground overnight got in the way and the kick went wide. The home side then went ahead. Shaun O’ Rourke carried well and after more phase play Ab Ieuan put in a kick to turn the defence. One of the mole family was on hand in the 22 to stop the ball and hand it back to O’Rourke who fed Jack Beynon and he crossed for the first Wanderers try. Ab Ieuan converted 10-7.  With their tails up (that’s the Wanderers not the Moles) The home side attacked from the restart Captain Walji carried well and the home side were back on the attack. Stretching the visitors defence they created another chance and this time it was wing Ned Bennett who was on hand to take the scoring pass. Ab Ieuan converted again 17-7. Getting a little carried away with their dominance the Wanderers then allowed St Peters back into the  game as, when trying to run out of their own 22 they coughed up possession and the Rocks took full advantage to score their second try 17-12.  The home side settled back into the attack and Ab Ieuan settled the nerves of the Wanderers faithful with a second penalty 20-12. The home side were then forced into a change with newly engaged Mr Reid having to go off to phone his fiancée to discuss wedding plans. Rhys Roberts came on to replace Gareth and from his first scrum the Wanderers gained a penalty as the half neared a close. The subsequent lineout was deemed not straight but when St Peters elected for a lineout themselves Emyr Jones stole the ball and the home side had one last attack. A snipe by Steff Davies nearly got through but Ashley Bissett was in support to gather the ball and force his way clear to score. Ab Ieuan converted and the sides went into the break at 27-12.

Any thoughts of a second half revival were squashed (like most of the sandcastles) by a bright start from the home side. Stealing the possession in midfield they attacked and after a dummy run by Nathan Williams debutant Roberts was put through. Despite the attention of the defence he crashed over for the bonus point try. Ab Ieuan converted 34-12. The game ebbed and flowed for a bit remaining between the 22s as both sides started to send for fresh legs. The game was then put to bed with a Wanderers strike move from a scrum (Yes they do exist!) A neat move with Ab Ieuan looping around, feeding Captain Walji who in turn fed Ed Thomas who raced over for the fifth try in the corner 39-12. With the result not in doubt the discussions as to what Coxy was wearing to the Christmas social got in the way and St Peters showed why they are doing so well in the league. Moving the ball well when in possession the home side were forced into a prolonged period of defence. Deservedly they chased the losing bonus point, in the last quarter they crossed for two well worked tries firstly reducing the score to 39-17 and then to gain the 4 try bonus point a converted try made it 39-24. One last defensive effort from the home side prevented any more scores and the sides set off to the bar for some Christmas Cheer leaving the moles to reorganise the ground before the Wanderers top of the table clash against Bedwas in the new year. Final score 39-24.

Wanderer’s scorers

Tries: Jack Beynon, Ned Bennett, Ashley Bissett, Rhys Roberts, Ed Thomas

Cons: Gruff Ab Ieuan (4)
Pens:  Gruff Ab Ieuan (2)

Massiv MOM: Emyr Jones
Management MOM: Shaun O’Rourke   Special Mention: Ed Thomas

Match Pics: https://flic.kr/ps/c7gzd