At the Death, Price was right for the Wanderers
Cardiff Met 17
Wanderers 20
“A great physical encounter and we had to dig deep to overcome a really good Met side who constantly frustrated us at the breakdown” commented head Coach Paul Matthews.
“A great test but once again inaccuracy at the lineout often killed our momentum but the boys showed a superb team spirit to dig out the win” added forwards coach Huw Dowden.
A grey but dry day in Cyncoed greeted the teams for this eagerly awaited clash between the Wanderers and Cardiff Met. An early penalty gave the visitors field position, but the Students defended well and turned the ball over. Showing a willingness to move the ball when chances arose the home side were soon on the attack out wide. The Wanderers infringed at a ruck and the Met opened the scoring with a well taken penalty 3-0. An up and under from Jake Lloyd was gathered by the defence but a counter ruck from the chasing pack gained the ball back for the visitors and when the home side were caught offside Lloyd stepped up to level the score 3-3. With both sides defences showing no quarter given the teams took to the air for the next period of play as opportunities very few and far between and very little momentum for either side. A good driving lineout by the Wanderers took play deep and when the Students illegally infringed, they saw a yellow card produced from the referee. The visitors looked to impose the extra man advantage but when kicking deep from the subsequent penalty inaccuracy at the lineout snuffed out the attack and allowed the home side to clear. Being a man down seemed to galvanise the Met and they started to get their game on message. With forwards and backs involved in some close quarter driving they pressurised the Wanderers line and after several phases they crossed for their first try of the game. The conversion was added 10-3. The score stung the Wanderers into action. From the kick off they were back on the attack and when another breakdown penalty was awarded, they went for the corner again. This time the drive although being held up allowed replacement hooker Sam Reed to break from the maul and cross for the visitors first try. Lloyd added the extras and the deadlock was restored 10-10. The half entered its final minutes with nothing between the sides but momentum was with the Wanderers. A turnover by Aiden Warner set the visitors on the charge again and after more carries from forwards and backs a high tackle in midfield gave Lloyd the chance to put the Wanderers ahead 10-13. The half ended with the students back on the attack and once again it was a number of phases and close quarter driving that took play deep. The visitors dug deep on their own line and a jackal gained them a penalty and a chance to end the half with everything to play for in the last 40. Half time 10-13.
The Second half saw the Wanderers come straight out of the blocks. Running from deep and showing good hands, they took play from one twenty-two to the other. Only good scrambling defence from the home side prevented an early score. The pressure continued with play camped in the Met half but as had happened all game their tackling was superb and it seemed that nothing was on offer for the visitors. Eventually they did break the impasse. A turnover in midfield saw the home side put up a speculative up and under. Despite the ball not really going anywhere and some of the Wanderers faithful appealing to the referee that their pack weren’t moving clear, the students regained the ball and took off downfield. It was the Wanderers scrambling defence that was then called into action and they turned the ball over with a penalty on their own line to keep the Students at bay. The game entered its final quarter with no clear sign of the winner and the Met went back on the attack. More close quarter driving piled on the pressure but once again defence ruled the day and the ball was held up over the line for a goal-line drop out. From the drop out the students attacked and this time the weight of the onslaught was enough and they crossed for their second try. The conversion was landed 17-13. The game opened up in the final minutes as the Met looked to close it out, but the Wanderers had other ideas. From a kick downfield Lloyd took the mark and instead of kicking clear he took a quick tap and set his backs in motion. Carrying well the ball went downfield and recycling quickly both forwards and backs set up the play. The ball was moved wide left on the 22 and Alfie Price, on as a sub, broke free of the tacklers and raced away to score. Lloyd added the conversion 17-20. There was still time for one last piece of action. The Met tried to run from deep but were seemingly held up on halfway. The referees adjudged there to be and infringement and it gave t
he students one last chance. Unfortunately, the penalty kick to the corner failed to make touch and the Wanderers held onto the ball long enough to clear the ball into the stand to end the game. Final score 17-20.
Wanderers Scorers
Tries: Sam Reed, Alfie Price
Cons: Jake Lloyd (2)
Pens: Jake Lloyd (2)
Massiv MOM: Aiden Warner
Special Mention: Finn Davies
Match Pics: https://flic.kr/ps/c7gzd