Wanderers gain win on the road
Abertillery BG 27
Wanderers 37
“A tough day in testing conditions but 5 points on the road is always welcome” Commented head coach Paul Matthews.
Forwards coach Huw Dowden added “A difficult first half against a team that carried and retained possession well. Set piece improved as the game went on and that, with the conditions in our favour, allowed us to dominate territory and gain the win”.
“Little steps but certainly a progression on last season as these were the sort of games we lost last year” commented Rugby director Tony Murphy.
The Wanderers returned to a famous old ground of Abertillery Park after many years and in testing conditions both sides served up a decent game with 7 tries to entertain the crowd. Only the most hearty, plus linesman and Wanderers cameramen stood away from the shelter of the stand as the rain greeted the sides onto the park. The home side had use of the conditions in the first half and whilst some were still taking their seats in the stand they went ahead. A grubber kick through the Wanderers defence was poorly dealt with and after good following up Abertillery opened their account with the first try of the game. The conversion followed 7-0. Despite the gusty wind, at times very strong, just about in their favour the home side showed a willingness to run the ball if the situation allowed it. Going through several phases at a time they probed the travelling defence only to find the visitors line difficult to penetrate. A telling jackal by Tyler Martin allowed the Wanderers to gain their first foothold in Abertillery territory but the home side defence held firm. Following another jackal penalty, this time by Nathan Williams, the visitors levelled it up. The lineout ball went loose but Sam Turner gathered and he trundled into the 22. Good recycling followed and after a few phases Captain AJ Walji was on hand to cross in the corner. Gruff Ab Ieuan added the conversion 7-7. Despite the poor conditions there was plenty of rugby on show and both sides provided decent entertainment. A penalty allowed the home side to set up an attack deep in Wanderers territory but the lineout drive was repelled and the visitors cleared. Back came the Wanderers and a marauding drive by Anthony Cox nearly set up a second try but good scrambled home side defence saved the line. The game ebbed and flowed mainly between the 10-metre lines but when the home side tried to run from deep a defensive penalty on the 22 allowing Gruff Ab Ieuan to step up and put the Wanderers ahead with a penalty 7-10. The half entered its last 10 minutes and the home side had their best spell of the half. Using the conditions to good effect they piled on the pressure. A penalty levelled it up again at 10-10 and soon afterwards a second penalty edged Abertillery ahead 13-10. There was a late chance for the visitors but once again poor execution let the home side off the hook and the sides headed for the dry changing rooms with the game nicely balanced at 13-10.
With the conditions now in their favour the Wanderers looked to dominate territory. With Ab Ieuan off the field temporarily, it fell to Steff Davies, on as a sub, to take over the kicking duties and he landed an early penalty to make it 13-13. The pressure started to ramp up against the home side and the Wanderers set piece started to gain a slight edge. Davies had two further penalty attempts (one of which may have been a kick to touch off the tee!) but his shots went elsewhere. The home side were finding their clearing kicks tough under the conditions and with the Wanderers back three always willing to have a run, the game became camped deep in home side territory. The visitors then edged ahead again. A move in midfield saw Walji pop up again. This time he had several close tacklers to deal with but he forced his way clear and carried more defenders with him as he crossed for his second try. Ab Ieuan, now back on, added the conversion 13-20. Both sides started to send for dry legs but the Wanderers were certainly gaining confidence. A penalty allowed Ab Ieuan to set up a lineout deep in the Abertillery 22 and despite the first drive being thwarted illegally the second attempt saw sub Sam “I have to mention the Massiv my sponsors” Reed crash over for the score. Ab Ieuan converted again 13-27. Further Wanderers subs entered the fray and the dominance increased. Another penalty gave field position again and another powerful drive saw Sam “did I mention I’m being sponsored by the Massiv” Reed carry over for his second try. Ab Ieuan added his 4th conversion 13-34. As the game entered its last quarter the home side that were not going to simply roll over and collapse. A Penalty gave them good field position and after a neat move around the front of the lineout, then recycling into midfield they crossed for their second converted try 20-34. Back came the Wanderers and to ensure that the visiting faithful kept their fingernails Ab Ieuan landed another penalty to make the game safe at 20-37. Abertillery did have one last flourish in them though and after another neat move they crossed for their third converted try to make it 27-37. The home side had a last ditched attempt to gain a bonus point from the game but as per most of the game the Wanderers midfield defence was solid and a spilled ball saw the final whistle. Final score 27-37.
Wanderer’s scorers
Tries: AJ Walji (2), Sam Reed (2)
Cons: Gruff Ab Ieuan (4)
Pens: Gruff Ab Ieuan (2), Steff Davies
Massiv MOM: Sam Reed
Management MOM: Nathan Williams
Match Pics: https://flic.kr/ps/c7gzd