Wanderers survive Friday night Fright
Wanderers 27
Mountain Ash 17
Despite Halloween being eight weeks away the Wanderers had a real scare in the opening game of the season as a dogged Mountain Ash side pushed them all the way with, in the end, little reward.
“We lacked the intensity required in the first half against an excellent Old Firm side” commented forwards coach Huw Dowden “We picked up that intensity in the second half and it resulted in a bonus point win. Injuries resulted in us having two back row forwards on the wing to close the game out but the character the side showed when up against it was really pleasing”
“Great resilience in adversity but our lack of rugby pre-season certainly showed up” added Lee Highgate.
The season began with a Friday night under the lights at the Memorial Ground and Mountain Ash showed early on that they were certainly up for the game. The Wanderers rustiness was evident from the outset and the visitors were certainly the more coherent side in the opening- exchanges. Good pressure in the contact area gave them a chance but the home side defence was solid. Somewhat against the run of play the Wanderers then took the lead. A kick downfield from Jake Lloyd was gathered but the clearance kick was charged down and the ball fell kindly to AJ Walji, on his 50th appearance for the club. Despite the attention of several defenders he was able to cross for the first try of the game. Lloyd converted 7-0. The sides settled into the match with the backs from both sides willing to run the ball the crowd were getting their monies worth. Mountain Ash, once again working hard at the breakdown gained a penalty and the levelled it up with a nice from peel from a 5 meter lineout followed by a touchline conversion 7-7. The momentum was certainly with the visitors and when the over ambitious Wanderers were turned over deep in their own half the Old firm struck again with their second try to make it 7-14. Going behind sparked an instant response
From the home side going through the phases they put the visitors line under pressure. Initially the Old Firm defence was solid but after a few minutes of pressure the ball was moved wide right to debutant Tomos Jones and he squeezed his way over to reduce the arrears to 12-14. There followed more pressure from the home side as the half entered its final minutes. The visitors were reduced to 14 for 10 minutes but despite the advantage and a strong platform provided by the forwards (and that includes the lineout!!!!!see previous reports) the Wanderers were unable to provide any further scores leaving the sides at the break with Mountain Ash deservedly ahead 12-14.
Bringing out his best “I’m a fearsome deputy head” the players had a “If you don’t pick up your game you are all in detention” routine from Mr Dowden and the players responded accordingly. Despite looking more like the Wanderers we had expected to see it was the visitors, after gaining a penalty at a scrum, who scored the first points of the second half making it 12-17. There followed a 10 minute break as a serious injury to Wanderers scrum half Steff Davies saw him receive some prolonged treatment to his left elbow resulting in a major reshuffle in the home side backs. Once proceedings restarted the Wanderers went on the attack again. Good phase play took the play deep and a penalty which was taken quickly by Walji resulted in another penalty and a second yellow for the visitors. Lloyd stepped up and reduced the arrears to 15-17. The game then swung the Wanderers way in an action packed 5 minutes. Firstly a break from deep by the home side saw Ashley Bisset take play deep. He fed Emyr Jones, now playing on the wing. He carried the move on and when the cover defence appeared he popped the ball inside to Bissett in support and he crossed for the third Wanderers try. Lloyd converted 22-17. From the kick off the home side were back on the attack. Shaun O’Rourke carried well down the field and when he was hauled down just short of the line Jones (Emyr) was able to crash over for the bonus point try 27-17. The Wanderers faithful started to breathe a little easier but the visitors were not going to lie down. Back on the attack they went and several phases of their own took play deep. The home side defence dug deep and scrambled to keep Mountain Ash out. A few penalty advantages followed and when the ball went into touch the referees returned for the original penalty and showed Jack Griffiths a yellow card. The Old firm kicked for the cornmet but unfortunately the lineout was knocked on to allow the home side to clear and make the game safe. Mountain Ash had one last chance to gain a losing bonus point with the last play but a penalty shot narrowly missed the target and there was a collective sigh of relief from all the Wanderers supporters. Final score 27-17.
Wanderers Scorers:
Tries: AJ Walji, Ashley Bissett, Tomos Jones, Emyr Jones
Cons: Jake Lloyd (2)
Pens: Jake Lloyd
Massiv MOM: Anthony Cox
Management MOM: Anthony Cox Sp Mention Ashley Bissett
Match Pics: https://flic.kr/ps/c7gzd