Llanelli Wanderers Rugby Football Club

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

LLANELLI WANDERERS v HENDY 08/01/05

A New Year, but unfortunately no change in fortune for the Wanderers as they fell away to concede defeat to visitors Hendy by 39 points to 8 on Saturday.

In contrast to previous games, the Wanderers started brightly with the forwards providing some good driving mauls. Unfortunately, a speculative up and under by the visitors outside half found no one at home and the bounce was gathered for the Hendy wing to cross wide out. A period of pressure was further rewarded when Wanderers scrum half Andrew Jenkins was penalized under the posts. A yellow card accompanied the further 3 points for the visitors.

The Wanderers forwards were, however, beginning to dominate their opponents and were unlucky not to score on a couple of occasions. Karl Evans, who had gathered a number of kicks in his own 22, had also looked very dangerous as he ran ball back at the visitors and invariable made good ground. From one such incident, the forwards were on hand to keep the momentum going and were rewarded with a penalty by Adrian Davies.

Another fine move by the Wanderers was only halted by a deliberate knock on and the Wanderers opted for the line kick instead of the 3 points. They were rewarded when Iwan Jones took a clean catch for skipper James Bannister to provide the drive. When he was stopped inches short, Iwan Jones was in support, with the rest of the forwards to drive over for the score.

Just as the half ended, Hendy retook the lead with a penalty.  Wanderers 8  Hendy 11, with both sets of supporters optimistic for their chances in the second half, but expecting a tough encounter ahead.

As it happened, the second half turned into a damp squib for the home side as they unaccountably failed to turn up and allowed the visitors to run in 3 tries unopposed. For one of the tries they were even allowed to run from their own line.

As players became frustrated a number of skirmishes occurred about the field, meaning the Wanderers lost their way completely. The home supporters were at a complete loss as to why a game, which had promised so much, just faded away.

It was a very disappointed camp back at the clubhouse, reflecting this was probably a game they could have won instead of having been thumped by 30 points.

Another big game awaits the Wanderers next week when they travel to fellow basement strugglers Llandeilo.

FINAL SCORE: WANDERERS            8          Hendy              39

TRY:                   I. Jones

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