Wanderers dominant on the road

Ynysddu 7
Wanderers 47

“Some excellent defensive sets combined with our attacking shape all ended with a dominant display” commented head coach Paul Matthews.

“My impact as super sub made all the difference- they scored soon afterwards” added Huw Dowden.

“The vol-au-vents were perfect and the choice of a pink suit for me really works” commented Mr Absent.

As the sun disappeared behind the Sirhowy mountains there was impeccably observed minutes silence for fallen veterans before the Wanderers kicked off. The dye was set early with plenty of possession for the home side but the visitors defensive line solid throughout. From a retreating scrum the Wanderers attacked out wide but were foiled just short and the ball spilled. Ynysddu showed their attacking threat when, from broken play they also went wide. Only good covering from Steff Davies prevented the score. Good jackaling from Dylan Lawley gained a penalty and Davies took a quick tap breaking downfield. Scything through the defence he broke away only to be hauled down just short of the line. The ball was recycled and moved wide left to Sam Hayman who crossed for the first try. Gruff Ab Ieuan landed the touch-line conversion 0-7. The “DDs” suffered early blows with two front row forwards and a winger leaving the field with injuries and they fell further behind soon afterwards. Another break downfield this time by Ed Thomas was foiled but a penalty allowed the Wanderers to set up an attacking lineout. The subsequent drive came on and Sam Reed broke clear to cross for the second try. Ab Ieuan converted 0-14. Despite the scoreline the home side had plenty of possession and territory, but they were unable to make it count. The game settled with Ynysddu with the ball but the visitors defence solid and unbreakable. At times the home side handling let them down and it was from one such mistake that the Wanderers struck again. From a scrum deep in the opposition 22 a neat wrap around move created an overlap and Sam Hayman crossed for his second try. The conversion went wide 0-19. Thomas continued to look dangerous out wide and the visitors gained ground whenever they moved the ball. Another penalty gave them field position and once again when the defence worked to hold the driving lineout Ashley Bissett burst through the maul with ball in hand and he crossed for the fourth try. Ab Ieuan converted and the sides went into the break with the Wanderers comfortably ahead 0-26.
The second half continued as per the first half. Plenty of possession for the home side but solid unbreakable defence kept them at bay. Once again out wide there was dividend and Ned Bennett went close but a kick ahead went dead. The Wanderers defence continued to dominate with Bissett and Lawley putting in some big hits. The visitors started to ring the changes with Osian Phillips making a return to the pitch after a long lay off. His impact was instant and after a strong carry and further attack by captain Walji, Steff Davies was up in support to cross for the try. Ab Ieuan converted again 0-33. With the result not in doubt the game started to open up and the visitors started to fall foul of the referee. Despite that whenever they attacked the Wanderers looked dangerous and after Bissett had again carried well Bennett was on hand to finish the move for the sixth try. Ab Ieuan converted again 0-40. As the game entered its final 10 minutes the visitors rounded off their scoring when Davies crossed for his second try under the posts. Ab Ieuan converted 0-47. As all structure disappeared from the game Ynysddu threw caution to the wind in attack. In a game that had been played in a good spirit all of a sudden, the referee was dishing out cards as three yellows were handed out (2 to the Wanderers 1 to Ynysddu). The game ended with the home side finally crossing the whitewash to register a converted try. Final score 7-47.

Wanderer’s scorers

Tries: Steff Davies (2), Sam Hayman (2), Sam Reed, Ashley Bissett, Ned Bennett
Cons: Gruff Ab Ieuan (6)

Massiv MOM: Ashley Bissett
Management MOM: Ed Thomas Special Mention: Bleddyn Morgan

Match Pics: https://flic.kr/ps/c7gzd