Llanelli Wanderers Rugby Football Club

Affiliated to: The Welsh Rugby Union, West Wales Rugby Union, and the Llanelli & District Rugby Union

 HAVERFORDWEST v LLANELLI WANDERERS 11/12/04

We`ve had the battle of Rourkes Drift, on Saturday we had the battle of Merlins Bridge, as a poor refereeing display allowed the game to degenerate , with players taking their frustration out on each other, resulting in a red and a yellow card for each side. Haverfordwest ran out winners by 26 points to 8, but never was the adage “ game of 2 halves” more evident.

Once again, the Wanderers failed to turn up for the first half hour, and found themselves 17 points down within the first 10 minutes. The visitors tackling was poor in this period and the dismay was compounded when player coach, Jonathan Mayze, playing out of position on the wing, pulled up with a hamstring strain. He was replaced by Dylan Hughes, called up for his first game of the season.

On the half hour, the Wanderers had conceded 4 tries and tempers finally boiled over with a series of skirmishes around the pitch, culminating in yellow cards.  Unfortunately, the heat had not been taken out of the game and a further mass brawl resulted in the red cards. Possibly the only thing the referee had right all game !!

The only points of note for the Wanderers during the first half was the “sweeping” done by Gavin Mathias and his subsequent bursts out of his own half, and once again the threat posed whenever Karl Evans was in possession.

The half closed with Haverfordwest leading by 23 points to 0.

Starting the second half with thirteen a side certainly opened up play, and the Wanderers were far more purposeful, with captain James Bannister reverting from the back row to his more accustomed prop position., enabling the forward platform which the side had enjoyed the previous week. The early pressure was rewarded when full back Adrian Davies slotted over a penalty for the Wanderers opening score, and with the Wanderers encamped in the home sides half it was not until seasoned campaigner Barrie Davies entered play that they were able to convert the territory into pressure on the home team.

A poor kick by the home team was gathered in his own half by Karl Evans who took play up to half way before feeding wing Gareth Spuffard. He proceeded to make headway along the touchline and a fine dummy on the full back saw him cross for the Wanderers opening try. Whilst the Wanderers were enjoying territory they could just not break down the home defence and it was ironic that one of their few ventures into Wanderers territory provided them with a penalty and 3 points.

Further injuries meant that an already depleted Wanderers, had to call on old faithful, Richard Keenan for the final 10 minutes. Special mention should also be made of Jonathan Hope, who worked tirelessly throughout the game.

Whilst the number of injuries picked up in an already small squad, is of concern, the fact that the Wanderers are constantly playing catch up rugby is a major headache in trying to reason why. 

FINAL SCORE           HAVERFORDWEST              26        WANDERERS            8

TRY:                             G. Spuffard

PENALTY:                  A. Davies                                                        

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