Ab Ieuan kicks Wanderers to win
RUMNEY 14
WANDERERS 29
“Scrappy game with little flow or tempo. Credit to Rumney they were dogged and gave us no space to play but we’ll take the win at a difficult place to get a result.” Commented head coach Paul Matthews.
“Some days you have to be pragmatic and take the points on offer. Conditions and a resilient opposition made it tough for us” added captain AJ Walji.
“We controlled the second 40 with possession and territory putting us in positions for Gruff to continue his excellent record off the tee” added Manager Mark Gould.
On a wet, cold and windy afternoon in Rumney credit to the supporters who braved the elements and to the players who despite the conditions served up a decent game of rugby. Early possession went to the home side but solid Wanderers defence kept them at bay. Despite the conditions both sides showed a willingness to play when in possession, but it was certainly going to be a day when defences were on top. The visitors were first to break the deadlock. A Rumney defensive line out was spilled and first to react was Cai Ifans. He gathered the loose ball and despite the attention of several defenders he forced his way over for the opening try. Gruff Ab Ieuan added the conversion 0-7. The home side had a chance to reduce the arrears, but a penalty landed just short and back came the Wanderers. Against a very dogged and determined defensive line the visitors went through the phases but found no chinks in the armour. Ab Ieuan did go close, the wet ball going loose as he went over the line, but he did add his first penalty of the afternoon to extend the lead to 0-10. Rumney started to gain their feet and with the Wanderers having to make an early change in the boiler house the home side scrum exerted some pressure. From a penalty they gained good field position and a well-executed drive they scored their first try. The extras were added 7-10. Once again, the visitors went through the phases in attack but as earlier in the half the defence was solid and no quarter given. Ab Ieuan added another penalty after more pressure 7-13 as the half entered its final quarter but there was little between the sides. A jackal penalty gave the home side another chance and once again a drive, repulsed by the visitors initially resulted in a second try after several close quarter drives by the pack. The conversion was added and Rumney were in front 14-13. The half ended with the Wanderers back on the attack, but they could not find a way through the red line and the sides ended the 40 with the home side with their webbed feet just in front 14-13.
There was no let up in the conditions and the game continued to lack any real continuity. The visitors were able to keep the game predominately in the home side half, but scores looked a long way off. A rare defensive blip allowed the visitors to regain the lead. Ab Ieuan, looking for a forward to off load to in attack realised, as Moses did, that the Red sea was parting and he darted through to score the Wanderers second try of the game. He added the conversion 14-20. The majority of the game became static between the 22s, but the visitors were certainly getting the edge. Another penalty from Ab Ieuan made it 14-23 and when a further penalty was moved 10 yards for a little backchat he was able to add his fourth 3 pointer of the game making it 14-26. Now with daylight between the teams the Wanderers were able to relax a little confident that they could contain the home side with both sides defences still in control. Fresh legs were called for, but the subs couldn’t change the course of the weather. Rumney were reduced to 14 for 10 minutes after a series of penalties in their 22 making their job even harder and Ab Ieuan’s fifth penalty really put the game to bed at 14-29. The home side did rally for the final throws of the game but as had been the case all afternoon the defences were on top and the Wanderers were able to prevent any more scores to end the game with a pragmatic if not spectacular win on the road. Final score 14-29.
Wanderer’s scorers:
Tries: Cai Ifans, Gruff Ab Ieuan
Cons: Gruff Ab Ieuan (2)
Pens: Gruff Ab Ieuan (5)
Massiv MOM: Gruff Ab Ieuan Special Mention: Emyr Jones
Management MOM: Gruff Ab Ieuan
Match Pics: https://flic.kr/ps/c7gzd