Wanderers defy rain and stiff opposition to keep pressure on leaders

Wanderers 36
St Joseph’s 30

The Wanderers were led out by second row Shaun O’ Rouke making his 50th appearance for the club

“First half was a tough watch” commented Manager Mark Gould “but pleasing to see the fight in the second half and we came away with the win.

Lee Highgate added “Very physical encounter in very poor conditions but great character shown to turn round the big first half deficit.”

“Difficult conditions in which the lottery at the break down stifled us. The boys had to work hard and the second half performance got them the deserved win” added head coach Paul Matthews.

On an atrocious evening at Sardis Road all were thankful for the 4G surface instead of what would have been a mud-bath at the Memorial Ground. Although, at the end of the first half the Wanderers faithful were questioning the wisdom of moving the fixture? Fortunately, the proverbial game of two halves saw the Wanderers turn round an 11-point deficit at the break to win the game. The early exchanges were all with St Joseph’s. The rain, which did not let up for 80 minutes, made handling tough but the visitors, on the back of powerful driving from their forwards and a strong dominant scrum made all the early running. A penalty put them ahead 0-3 and that was soon followed up with the first try of the game. A speculative kick downfield bounced and turned through 90 degrees on the artificial surface giving the visitors at 50-22 and from the lineout they struck. Several driving phases created the chance and they squeezed over besides the posts. The conversion made it 0-10.  The Wanderers started to get into the game but poor execution and poor handling hampered their efforts. Gruff Ab Ieuan did reduce the deficit with a penalty 3-10 but the tide was in definitely in St Joseph’s favour. A period of aerial tennis followed and both sides had issues at the breakdown with turnovers littering the plays. Captain Walji tried to inject some go forward into the play making a superb break from his own 22. When he was halted deep in the visitor’s territory the ball was killed illegally and the Joes saw yellow. Ab Ieuan added to his penalty count 6-10. The moment of cheer for the home side was short lived. Back came the visitors and showing good patience in attack they went many phases inside the Wanderers 22. The defence worked hard but eventually they ran out of tacklers and St Josephs crossed for their second converted try 6-17. The Wanderers errors continued and when a penalty was awarded on halfway a well taken kick extend the visitors lead 6-20. The half ended with the home side on the attack but the error count continued to rise. An offside against the visitors ended the half and Ab Ieuan kicked his third penalty 9-20 which sent the Wanderers scuttling for the sanctuary of a dry changing room and a chance to regroup.

The Wanderers needed a spark or a piece of luck and they got that at the start of the half. A lineout ball went loose and this time the bounce favoured the Wanderers and it was gathered by Finn Davies. He broke clear and drove (without the recently discarded L plates) for the line and when stopped just short Bleddyn Morgan was on hand to take the ball and force his way over under the posts. Ab Ieuan converted 16-20. There was a sense of a change in the tide despite the relentless rain and when a penalty was marched forward 10 metres into kicking range Ab Ieuan landed his fourth penalty making it 19-20 and it was definitely game on. Within minutes the home side were ahead. Steff Davies, always a threat (his words) broke away in his own half. Having breached the defence he took play deep and once again it was Morgan in support. He carried the last 30 meters despite the attention of plenty of defenders, to score his second try. Ab Ieuan added the extras 26-20. The game settled with the Wanderers seemingly in control of the tie. Both sides sent for fresh legs but the conditions were still master of the play as both sides struggled for continuity. The territorial advantage was certainly with the home side but the Joes defence was solid and despite several moves of many phases the Wanderers could not find the killer score. The game entered its final quarter and at last the Wanderers had some breathing space. Attacking deep in the visitors 22 they recycled on several occasions. There was no breach allowed so Ab Ieuan stepped into the pocket and squeezed a drop goal over off the right hand upright 29-20. With a two score breathing space the Wanderers faithful (those who hadn’t rushed off to watch the international at half time) started to relax but as the dying minutes arrived there was still more to come. A penalty to the visitors was kicked deep and then a driving maul involving 13 of the St Joes side forced the score to keep the game alive 29-27. The Wanderers faithful started biting their toenails (the fingernails long since removed in despair) but the home side finally put the game to bed. Attacking through the phases again they took play deep and Emyr Jones smashed his way through the defence. He galloped clear to score the Wanderers third try. Ab Ieuan added his third conversion 36-27.  With the final play of the game St Josephs gained a deserved bonus point with a penalty but all those watching headed for a dry bar with the Wanderers breathing a sigh of relief  taking a relieved win. Final score 36-30.    

Wanderer’s scorers

Tries: Bleddyn Morgan (2) , Emyr Jones
Cons: Gruff Ab Ieuan (3)
Pens:  Gruff Ab Ieuan (4)
Drop Goal: Gruff Ab Ieuan

Massiv MOM: AJ Walji
Management MOM: Shaun O’Rourke

Match Pics: https://flic.kr/ps/c7gzd