Wanderers miss out on Mallett Cup

Wanderers 18
Cardiff Met 25

“It’s a pleasure to be part of this growing group” commented head Coach Paul Matthews. “The commitment many showed considering the last few weeks was superb. It would have been nice to pick up the trophy, but the loss shouldn’t take away from the improvements we’ve made this season”.

“Scrum was excellent and we came so close to the win” added Huw Dowden “still plenty of work ons for next season but this group will only get better the more time they spend together”.

“A memorable season, its great to see this group gel on and off the field, playing some brilliant rugby with smiles on their faces. Thanks for the ride”. The Wanderers Massiv.

“I’ll have another Sangria” added mark Gould from his luxury villa in Spain (one of many for the tax exile, villas and drinks).

The curtain finally came down on the season as a battered and bruised Wanderers gave the cup favourites a real run for their money in a pulsating game in the sunshine at CAP. The early exchanges were fairly cagey but there was clear scrum dominance from the Wanderers which resulted in a steady flow of penalties. The students were forced into playing off the back foot, but they showed glimpses of the running rugby one associates with the Met. Eventually the deadlock was broken when, from another advancing scrum the Wanderers moved the ball wide right. Ed Thomas injected the pace and he fed Alfie Price who crossed in the corner. Jacob Lloyd added the conversion 7-0. Cardiff Met hit straight back. A clearance kick bounced awkwardly on the Cardiff Carpet landing nicely in the grasp of the students. They took full advantage and despite the covering defence they scored in the corner 7-5. Warming to their task the Met piled on the pressure and the Wanderers were forced into a period of defence. The game was halted briefly as the referee was informed that Deliveroo had arrived with his ice cream – he sent it back as there was no flake and the game continued. Still with nothing between the sides the game ebbed and flowed with neither side gaining the advantage. The Wanderers after a period of defence were reduced to 14 for 10 minutes as Tyler Martin saw yellow and with the defence a man short the Met struck. From a lineout deep in the Wanderers 22 they forced over a driving maul to secure their second try 7-10. The half entered its final minutes and with the scrum continuing to result in Wanderers penalties a chance for the Ely side was inevitable. It came on the stroke of half time and Lloyd landed a penalty to send the sides into the break at 10-10.
The students were out of the blocks quickest and from a penalty another driving maul resulted in their third unconverted try 10-15. The lead was short lived. Turning over the kick off the Wanderers were on the attack again. Finn Davies carried well and when the ball went left Thomas was put into space. He raced for the line and when covered he fed Reagan Moore who crossed for the try 15-15. Both sides started to send for fresh legs but there was still little between the teams. The game entered its final quarter with the game in the balance. The Wanderers enjoyed a good period of pressure and finally the referee lost patience with the Met front row and they saw yellow. The territorial advantage continued in the Wanderers favour and they nudged themselves in front when Lloyd dropped a goal to make it 18-15. The lead was again short lived. Failing to secure the kick off the Wanderers were back on the defensive and a penalty at a ruck allowed the students to level it up 18-18. Extra time looked a real possibility as time was running out but there was to be one last twist. From a goal-line drop out the Met ran the ball back. Tiring legs resulted in a missed tackle in midfield and they were away. As the defence rushed across the referee deemed their intervention to be illegal and awarded a penalty try (one for VAR that one). There was one last chance for the Wanderers but time ran out and the Met were again crowned winners of the Mallett Cup. Final score 18-25.

Wanderer’s scorers

Tries: Alfie Price, Reagan Moore
Cons: Jacob Lloyd
Pens: Jacob Lloyd
Drop Goal: Jacob Lloyd

Massiv MOM: The Squad
Management MOM: Reagan Moore
Sp. Mention: Ashley Bissett

Match Pics : https://flic.kr/ps/c7gzd