Wanderers find Rocks hard to break

St Peters 21
Wanderers 30

 

“We struggled to get our game going frustrated by a St Peters team that made us work hard for every point. No continuity at the breakdown led to a tough afternoon for the spectators of both sides”. Commented head Coach Paul Matthews.

“A strong scrum throughout but frustration at the lineout meant that we couldn’t get going” Commented Huw Dowden, forwards coach “Mind you a 5-point win when we clearly weren’t at our best is still pleasing”.

On a dry afternoon at the Harlequin ground the early exchanges were very cagey. The Wanderers scrum was clearly on top but the misfunctioning lineout proved a problem all afternoon. Despite the visitors being on the front foot early on it was the Rocks who got the scoreboard moving first. A charge down in midfield put them on attack and after the Wanderers were penalised as they scrambled back a penalty at a ruck allowed them to step up and go ahead 3-0. Struggling to settle into the game the visitors’ mistakes made life hard and when a second charge down in midfield put St Peters on the attack again the result was the same and they extended their lead with a second penalty 6-0. Stung into action the Wanderers at last got some continuity in their play. Good scrum ball provided the platform and carries from the forwards took play deep. Recycling well the ball was moved wide left and Captain Walji was on hand to force his way over in the corner 6-5. Both sides struggled at the breakdown with defences and the referees whistle slowing the game making it a hard watch for the spectators. Another penalty against the visitors on halfway gave the home side good field position and from a lineout they struck. A catch and drive set things up and a peel off the back of the maul saw them crash over for their first try of the game 11-5. Back came the visitors and once again good hard forward carries took play deep. An offence at the breakdown, this time in the Wanderers favour, allowed Gruff Ab Ieuan to convert a penalty from in front of the posts reducing the arrears to 11-8. Turnover ball in the Wanderers territory and a deep kick infield got the Wanderers on the attack again but some dogged defence from the home side saw them relieve the pressure. The half entered its last quarter with a fairly even contest and once again it was the scrum that provided the Wanderers with a scoring opportunity. A grubber from scrum half Steff Davies was chased well and only desperate scrambling prevented a score, but it did result in a visitors scrum 5 meters out. From the set piece the ball went right and Ed Thomas came into the line and sliced his way through to score. Ab Ieuan converted 11-15. The half went into injury time and The Rocks mounted one last attack. Gaining a penalty, with the last play of the half they elected to run the ball. A couple of drives followed and after finding space they crashed over to put them ahead at the break 16-15.

With everything to play for in the second half and carrying on their momentum from the first half the home side soon extended their lead. A penalty which saw Wanderers reduced to 14 men for 10 minutes set up another good lineout position and this time it was a front peel that saw them crash over to make it 21-15. With the breeze in their faces the Rocks were forced into running the ball from deeper positions than they would like and the Wanderers were able to have a period of pressure on the home side. Ab Ieuan landed a second penalty to again reduce the arrears 21-18. With the breakdown frustrations continuing for the Wanderers and midfield mistakes a regular happening the game fluidity failed to materialise. Finally the visitors got their noses in front again. From an attack the ball was lost following a rip in the tackle and the ball bounced free. Davies was quickest to react and he set up play. Carries from the forwards and some close quarter driving saw Sam Reed and Jared Williams go close but it was Owen Hatherill who was on hand for the last carry to get the try. Ab Ieuan converted 21-25. With their tails up the Wanderers settled a little more, but St Peters were not going to roll over. Breakdown woes continued to frustrate but with the wind strengthening play was continuing in the home side half. From scrum ball in midfield Ab Ieuan put in a little nudge into the Rocks 22 and this set up the bonus point try. Stealing the home side lineout and with a few midfield phases the ball went out to Thomas again and he raced over to give the Wanderers daylight on the scoreboard 21-30. The game entered its final 10 minutes with St Peters searching for a bonus point themselves. They rallied and went on the attack. The visitors’ defence was called into sustained action and the wanderers saw yellow again after a high tackle. Despite their efforts the Rocks could not create the plays they needed and the Wanderers held firm to end a frustrating afternoon with another bonus point win. Final score 21-30.

Wanderers’ scorers:

Tries: Ed Thomas (2), AJ Walji, Owen Hatherill|
Cons: Gruff Ab Ieuan (2)
Pens: Gruff Ab Ieuan (2)

Massiv Man of the match:  Ed Thomas
Management Man Of the match: Josh Male    Special Mention Vinnay Cleak

Pics: https://flic.kr/ps/c7gzd