Llanelli Wanderers Rugby Football Club

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

LOUGHOR v LLANELLI WANDERERS 29/01/05

Saturday saw the Wanderers make the short trip “over the bridge” to old adversaries Loughor. Unfortunately they returned empty handed having been turned over by 51 points to 10. However, the score does not reflect the effort put in by the Wanderers and somewhat flatters the host team. 

The Wanderers camp was in turmoil on Friday morning with no fewer than 10 players unavailable for various reasons. The coaching team must be commended for finally getting 15 players on the park.

The Wanderers had started brightly, putting the home side under pressure, and were unfortunate to concede 2 early penalties.

The Wanderers forwards were competing well, with player coach Jonathan Mayze to the fore and with stand in scrum half Shaun Thomas constantly probing. The Wanderers fringe defence was strong, but when Loughor decided to move the ball, the pace they were able to generate proved the Wanderers undoing. 

A rather dubious penalty try on the half time whistle meant the home side went in 4 tries to the good and leading by 32 points to 0.

Unfortunately, the wanderers lost their scrum half just before the break, but Dylan Hughes moved in from the wing and proved an admirable deputy.  With the Wanderers set pieces working well, the forwards were able to control play for long periods with their captain James Bannister leading from the front. 

When the Wanderers forwards drove up to the home line, the resulting lineout was well won by Iwan Jones, who fed Johathan Hope to power over for the Wanderers opening try out wide.

A fine three-quarter movement saw Stuart Jenkins make progress with a fine off load to co center Craig Bassett, who showed power and pace to cross from 30 meters out.

The big center had an excellent match, and showed that he will be an invaluable asset if available for the remaining games.

As the game wore on, the Wanderers began to pay for the effort they had put in to try and get back on terms, and with the home scrum half having an outstanding game and dictating play, Loughor were able to regroup and score a further 3 tries to round off their win.

Given the circumstances, this had been a very encouraging display and even though the team may have dropped into the bottom three, further displays such as this will surely see them win more games than they lose in the run-in. 

FINAL SCORE: LOUGHOR              51        WANDERERS            10

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