Llanelli Wanderers Rugby Football Club

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

CARDIGAN v LLANELLI WANDERERS 27/11/04

The Wanderers met a youthful, spirited and determined side on Saturday, but managed to grind out a much-needed victory by 13 points to 10.

Torrential rain greeted the start of the game and the Wanderers got off to a perfect start with points on the board within the opening 2 minutes, courtesy of a dropped goal by outside half, Jeremy Phillips.

Unfortunately, Cardigan were just as quick out of the blocks and almost immediately hit back with a try following a chip over the defence which was gathered by the winger to cross wide out.

Most of the next quarter was nip and tuck and played between both 22`s., with the Wanderers dismayed at the referees interpretation of the line-out laws which allowed Cardigan to constantly disrupt the Wanderers put in, thus preventing possession for long periods. Player coach Jonathan Mayze was making a welcome return to the side and showed he had lost none of his appetite by getting through a tremendous amount of work and leading from the front.

The home supporters were given a rare glimpse of what the Wanderers were capable of on the half hour when, following a set piece just inside home territory, Karl Evans popped up between the centers to burst through the defence and round the full back to score out wide.

With the Wanderers scrum now getting stronger, the forwards put in some useful drives, whilst the three quarters were looking far more purposeful than they had in the previous game. The half closed with the Wanderers leading by 8 points to 5.

The second half saw a far more determined Cardigan take the field and put the Wanderers under pressure for long periods. Once again the failure to find touch almost cost the Wanderers dear. It was fortunate that the scrum was so dominant as the referee continued to allow Cardigan to disrupt the lineout. Poor judgment in attempting to run the ball out of their own 22, resulted in a dropped pass and a kick and chase for the home wing to score, and Cardigan to take the lead by 10 points to 8.

The turning point of the game came after a period of almost continuous Cardigan pressure but the Wanderers, to their credit, managed to somehow prevent them scoring and finally moved into the Cardigan 22 where they were awarded a penalty which should have seen them take the lead totally against the run of play. Unfortunately, the kick was missed and the pressure remained on the Wanderers but the fire of the home side appeared to be diminishing.

The Wanderers center pairing of Adrian Davies and Stuart Prendaville had looked a lot more solid compared to their previous outing together, and it was a fine break by Stuart Prendaville that split the home defense for him to set up Steffan Rogers on the outside, to cross for the try which finally gave the Wanderers the lead and enable them to control play up to the final whistle.

Special mention must be made of Jonathan Mayze, who worked tirelessly for the 80 minutes, putting in some bone-crunching tackles and keeping the side going.

Close behind him came skipper James Bannister, with a never say die attitude.

FINAL SCORE           CARDIGAN    10        WANDERERS            13

            TRY:                                                    Steffan Rogers, Karl Evans

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