Llanelli Wanderers Rugby Football Club

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

LLANELLI WANDERERS v PEMBROKE DOCK QUINS 04/12/04

Whilst last weeks game may have been a must win, this victory by 24 points to 20 over old rivals the Quins, could possibly be the turning point of the season.

Due to injuries and unavailability, the Wanderers found themselves down to the bear bones, even persuading the old campaigner, Keith Harries, to get his togs out of mothballs.

The game started with a bang, but not to the benefit of the home side, as within 5 minutes they found themselves trailing by 10 points. In the opening minutes an attack broke down, only for the Quins to gather and counter attack with a try under the posts, which was duly converted. The pressure continued and the Quins were rewarded with a further penalty.

Some very weak tackling and poor kicking when in possession meant the Wanderers were constantly on the back foot. A poor kick when the Wanderers were attacking, fell straight to the opposition who gathered and ran in from half way. The conversion now meant the Wanderers were trailing by 17 points to 0 and looking a very dis-jointed team.

However, they did eventually burst into life following a fine break from center Stuart Prendaville, taken on by hooker Gareth “ London” who was held up just short of the line.

The forwards were now beginning to put some fine drives together, and following some excellent play between backs and forwards the defense was opened up for full back Adrian Davies to cross wide out for the Wanderers opening try.

The half closed with the Wanderers trailing by 17 points to 5.

I don`t know what was said at half time but the Wanderers certainly came out in determined mood. They were now destroying the visitors scrum and their forward drives were making great inroads into the visitors defence. After a series of powerful drives by the forwards, that man Andrew Jenkins was on hand to convert the pressure into a try. Duly converted by Adrian Davies.

The Wanderers were however let off the hook when an attacking move broke down and the visitors wing picked up inside his own half, and only a dropped pass prevented a try. 

But with the Quins scrum constantly disrupted the visitors were finding possession difficult to come by and a fine break by Karl Evans, taken on by Stuart Prendaville was help up just short of the line. Another passage of play between back and forwards resulted in Rob Jenkins powering over for a try. With the conversion from Adrian Davies, the Wanderers found themselves in the lead for the first time during the match and their forwards enjoying total dominance.

However, the visitors could not be underestimated as they showed when converting a penalty on half way to regain the lead. But once again that man Karl Evans popped up to take play deep into the visitors half. A resulting penalty was quickly taken for Andrew Jenkins to touch down for his second try and give the Wanderers the lead at 24 – 20.

In the dying moments, the Wanderers continued to play open rugby. Unfortunately, this was almost their down fall as a dropped pass in midfield allowed the Quins to progress up field and put the Wanderers under pressure.

The remaining 2 minutes turned into 10, as the referee, to every-ones amazement, proceeded to play 10 minutes of injury time. The Wanderers managed to defend their line and emerged as deserved winners.

Saturday's performance will be a big boost to the fortunes of the club.  It was a testimony to the positive attitude adopted by the club's coaching team, together with the commitment and ability of the players and it showed what can be achieved when everyone pulls their weight.

FINAL SCORE           WANDERERS            24        P D QUINS     20

TRY:                                                    Andrew Jenkins(Kato) (2), A. Davies, R. Jenkins

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