Llanelli Wanderers Rugby Football Club

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

MATCH REPORT

LLANELLI WANDERERS v LLANDYBIE 24/04/04

Saturday saw a sunny and very hot day to bring the curtain down on the season.  Many had hoped that this would have been the title decider, but unfortunately it was not to be the case. Both sides responded to a perfect day for running rugby but the Wanderers were the stronger and ended their campaign with a 34 points to 3 victory, scoring 6 tries in the process.

Surprisingly, the Wanderers were slow out of the blocks and the opening quarter saw Llandybie have territorial advantage and although missing a kick in front of the posts, they took the lead with a penalty after 8 minutes.

The Wanderers, however, were slowly getting back into the game with Johney Jones at outside half constantly probing for gaps in the Llandybie defence. The Wanderers opened their account when a lineout, following some enterprising play, resulted in Gavin Mathias powering round the front to score.

The Wanderers were being thwarted in their endeavors to get their game flowing by constant infringements (or at least that’s what the referee thought!!). The Wanderers were finally rewarded after Johney Jones split the Llandybie defence for the centers to take play on until a ruck developed near the try line and that man Andrew Jenkins sprinted over from 2 meters.

The half closed with the Wanderers 10 points to 3 in the lead.

The opening exchanges in the second half were summed up with Llandybie having the possession but lacking any thought as to how to use it, and Wanderers looking good when they could gain possession. Once again Iwan Jones and Rob Mathias were winning good lineout possession and the Wanderers scrum was gradually getting the better of their opponents. Following a Wanderers line out the forwards drove on for Rob Jenkins to finally emerge as the try scorer. Stephen Jones, on permit, secured the conversion.

The three quarters were making good ground and a break down the middle by Karl Evans was rewarded when the forwards re-cycled the ball for flanker Andrew Davies to cross.

Shortly afterwards, wing Karl Evans was on the shoulder of the outside half to make an excellent angle of running and cross unopposed. Stephen Jones again converted.

Stuart Prendaville and especially Shaun Thomas were proving immense in defence and shutting out any Llandybie threats. They were also instrumental in creating some sweeping three quarter moves, one of which resulted in Stephen Jones crossing for the final score of the afternoon.

With try count looking likely to prevent the Wanderers claiming the runners up spot in the division, the players and coaches can congratulate themselves on a fine campaign over the season. Having had only 3 front row players at one stage and limited three quarter players at the start of the season, it was a terrific effort to just miss out on promotion. Hopefully, the current crop of players will stick together and, with a couple of additions, I’m sure they’ll clinch the division title next year.

FINAL SCORE: WANDERERS  34  LLANDYBIE   3

Wanderers – TRIES: K. EVANS , A. DAVIES, G. MATHIAS, R. JENKINS, A. JENKINS (No.9) S. JONES

CONVERSION: S. JONES (2)

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