Wanderers keeping that winning habit
Wanderers 66
Mountain Ash 0
“We were dangerous all afternoon in open play backed up with a strong scrum. A real team effort shown by so many different try scorers” commented head coach Paul Matthews.
“Good to see the bench adding good intent which kept the pressure on” added forwards coach Huw Dowden.
On a cloudy grey afternoon at the Memorial Ground the home side were straight on the attack. The Wanderers backs, relishing the chance to counter moved the ball well. From a clearance kick they took the play back to the visitors and Alfie Price crashed through the defence. Once clear he raced away to score the opening try. Gruff Ab Ieuan converted 7-0. Despite the “Old Firm” not being at their strongest they responded well. Attacking from a scrum they went close only to be thwarted by some excellent cover tackling from the home side. Back on the attack came the Wanderers, after a good kick chase downfield they set up play in the opposition 22 only for good defensive work by the visitors to stem the flow. It was not long before the lead was doubled. Once again from broken play and a clearance kick the backs attacked. Ed Thomas sliced his way through the defence and when the ball was recycled Kyle Bradbury was on hand to take a scoring pass for the second try. Ab Ieuan converted 14-0. With the tide clearly in the home side’s favour the visitors were forced into defending for long periods, but their young side battled bravely against the stronger home side. The third try came after a penalty allowed Ab Ieuan to set up a lineout deep in the Mountain Ash 22. The initial drive was halted by the defence but when the ball was released Josh Male crashed over to score. Ab Ieuan added the extras 21-0. When things are against you the bounce of the ball often seems to go with the team in the ascendancy and this resulted in the 4th try. Ellis Evans charged down a kick in midfield and the ball bounced into the arms of Osian Phillips. He raced away (quite quickly for one of the elder statesmen?) and having shown the defence a clean pair of heels he scored beside the posts. Again, Ab Ieuan added the 2 points 28-0. With confidence flowing the Wanderers were a little guilty of over elaboration at times looking for the extravagant instead of the simple but they were definitely in charge. A scrum in midfield provided the next score. A strike move saw Ab Ieuan loop around and create space. He scythed through the defence and once clear rounded the would-be tacklers to score in the corner. Obviously tired out having scored he missed the conversion 33-0. From the kick off the home side went straight back on the attack. Male broke down the wing but his ageing knees gave out just beyond the halfway line and despite the speedy Mike Vaughan outside him the move died. Mountain Ash’s task was made even harder just before the break when a yellow card saw them down to 14 and from a lineout drive the home side forwards elected for a catch and drive. This resulted in the 6th try and the first of the afternoon for Ashley Bissett. Despite the man disadvantage the Old Firm rallied and applied some pressure on the Wanderers only to see their efforts thwarted and the sides went into the break with the score 40-0.
There was a slight deterioration in the weather for the start of the second half with a drizzle becoming more persistent as the half progressed. The Wanderers coaches started to introduce their bench after the early exchanges but even though the scoreboard showed a one-sided situation the Old firm rallied and they showed that they still had the spirit to compete. The game broke up a little in the rain and it was a while before the Wanderers added to their tally. Eventually they scored their 7th try. A move of several phases took play deep and centre Jack Beynon was on hand to break though and score besides the posts. Ab Ieuan converted 47-0. From the kick off try of the day resulted. Attacking from their own 22 the ball was moved wide left. Going through the hand Price was put away and then Thomas rounded off a superb team try. Again, Ab Ieuan converted from out wide 54-0. The game entered its last quarter and not surprisingly it all became a little scrappy. Another move of several phases was rounded off when Robert Davies on as replacement hooker was able to shrug off some tired defenders to score the 9th try. Again, Ab Ieuan converted 61-0. The scoring for the afternoon was rounded off when Bissett scored his second and the Wanderers 10th try of the day to make it 66-0. Mountain Ash, showing great resolve despite being on the end of the scoreline did rally for one last attack but the home side defence was in no mood to give up a clean sheet. Final score 66-0.
Wanderer’s scorers
Tries: Alfie Price, Kyle Bradbury, Josh Male, Osian Phillips, Ashley Bissett (2), Jack Beynon, Ed Thomas, Robert Davies, Gruff Ab Ieuan,
Cons: Gruff Ab Ieuan (8)
Massiv MOM: Kyle Bradbury
Management MOM: Ashley Bissett
Match Pics: https://flic.kr/ps/c7gzd