Home Fans treated to a Try Fest

Wanderers  63
Abertillery BG  7

“A great all-round performance from 1-20. Started well, controlled territory and possession and scored some lovely tries” commented head coach Paul Matthews.

“Cai deserves a special mention for several key interventions in the game” like Wanderers hookers of old! Added ex Wanderers Hooker Huw Dowden.

“First time this season I smiled before half time” said manager Mark Gould. (not verified by independent sources!)

Clerk of the course Mr Patterson declared the going as soft at 9 o’clock but it didn’t prevent the Wanderers fillies from putting in a superb all-round performance on their way to an 11 try victory against a side that had really troubled the Wanderers earlier this season. From the outset the home side appeared on their game with forwards and backs handling the ball well despite the sticky ground. The first score came after turnover ball in midfield. The Wanderers attacked out wide left and following good interplay with wing Ethan Hunt, Ashley Bissett was up in support to cross for the first try. Gruff Ab Ieuan added a superb touchline conversion 7-0. (Gruff then decided, with the sun out, that slicks were better than wet weather tyres – a change that proved incorrect!). Dominating the early possession and territory the home side were soon on the attack again. Penalties allowed them to set up play deep in Abertillery territory and after another penalty Steff Davies took a quick tap. Despite the attention of several defenders, he crossed for the Wanderers second try. Gruff slipped whilst attempting the conversion (see earlier comment) 12-0. With their tails up the home side were growing in confidence. Moving the ball wide both wings were able to make ground when chances arose. The third try followed. This time an Ab Ieuan cross kick was gathered by Hunt out wide. He took play deep and when he was held up Captain O’Rourke was lurking close at hand. He was tackled but used his elongated frame to stretch over for the third try. Again, Gruff slipped 17-0. Abertillery were really struggling to get a foothold in the game despite their efforts and the bonus try came after 21 minutes. This time it was the right side of the field with Ed Thomas breaking clear after good work from Emyr Jones. Thomas fed Jack Beynon and he raced away to score the fourth try 22-0. At last, the visitors travelling faithful had something to cheer about. A turnover gave them possession and they were able to take play into the Wanderers 22. The home side defence dug deep and after stealing the ball Ab Ieuan cleared the danger. Back came the home side Cai Ifans found himself in space out wide and he cantered down the left wing. Hauled down on the 22 the ruck was set up and Steff Davies darted through a gap to score his second try. Ab Ieuan added the extras 29-0. The tide was certainly all in the Wanderers favour as the half entered its last 10 minutes. A scrum on halfway provided the next try. Bissett fed Davies who broke clear. He took play into the 22 and Emyr Jones was up in support and he crossed for the sixth try of the game 34-0. Abertillery had a rare visit to the home side 22 but with confidence ebbing away their execution wasn’t at its best and the Wanderers cleared. The home side then scored again. A lineout steal by Emyr Jones got the ball moving forward. The backs then took over with Thomas, Reagan Moore and others involved. Once again the back row were on hand and Bissett sauntered over the tryline. Bizarrely he was tackled trying to place the ball, not by one of the defenders but by Steff Davies who stole the ball and scored his third try of the game. No doubt a stewards enquiry will take place followed by a hefty fine! Ab Ieuan added the conversion 41-0. With the game in the bag there was a little white line fever creeping in as the half drew to a close, but the sides went into the break at 41-0.

The break allowed the visitors to regroup and they began brightly in the second half. Showing that if they had the chance they could play they put the Wanderers under pressure. Going through the phases themselves they took play deep only to be thwarted again. Just when it appeared that the home side had broken up the play the ball went loose and the visitors raced away to score a converted try 41-7.  Both sides started to ring the changes but soon afterwards normal service was restored. Bissett once again carried well and it was Beynon, who raced in for his second try 46-7. A little bit of aerial tennis followed as the game lost a little of its spark. For a period the contest was far more even as the fresh legs settled into the game but it was the Wanderers who scored next. A lineout deep in Abertillery territory resulted in a penalty. Moore took a quick tap and as he was held up Jack Griffiths forced his way over from close range. 51-7. One of the replacements was next on the scoresheet. Thomas broke through and O’Rourke galloped off downfield. He ran out of steam, but Kyle Bradbury was on hand to take the scoring pass and run away to score. Ab Ieuan added the extras 58-7. The game entered its final 10 minutes and there was a minor interruption in play whilst some of the forwards debated whether Michael Jackson or the Spice Girls were the better 90s act. The situation was resolved when the referee pointed out that he wasn’t born until 2016! The final score of the afternoon ended play when an up and under from Bradbury bounced nicely for Hunt. He gathered the ball broke clear and raced away 40 metres to score. Final score 63-7.

Wanderer’s scorers:

Tries:  Ashley Bissett, Shaun O’Rourke, Steff Davies (3), Emyr Jones, Jack Beynon (2), Kyle Bradbury, Ethan Hunt, Jack Griffiths

Cons:  Gruff Ab Ieuan (4)
Pens:  N/A

Massiv MOM: Emyr Jones
Management MOM: Ashley Bisset

Match Photos: https://flic.kr/ps/c7gzd