Llanelli Wanderers Rugby Football Club

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

LAMPETER v LLANELLI WANDERERS 03/09/05

 The Wanderers began this season’s campaign with a visit to old rivals Lampeter.  The game was played on a gloriously sunny and hot day but with a stiff breeze blowing.  The grounds man should also be complimented for preparing a magnificent looking playing surface.

Although Lampeter had the early territory and possession, Wanderers opened the scoring when, after some fine interpassing between back and forwards, Shaun Thomas stepped up to convert a penalty from 10 meters inside the Lampeter half.

Lampeter leveled the scores with a penalty of their own shortly afterwards.

Wanderers were looking dangerous when in possession and Mark Cook sparked some fine play when he broke out of his own 22 and set up a counter attack.

From a set piece, some fine handling by the three-quarters saw the ball moved to Mark Cook on the wing who proceeded to round his man and score near the posts.

Shaun Thomas was successful with the conversion.

The new centre pairing of Gareth Jones and Leighton Williams was looking a menacing partnership. With Gareth`s defence being complimented with the attacking skills of Leighton.

A fine break by Stuart Prendaville from inside his own 22 was taken on by James Bannister and halted inches short of the line by the Lampeter defence.  The half closed with the Wanderers good value for their 10 points to 3 lead.

Wanderers found themselves under some early pressure at the start of the second half, but the home supporters were left flabbergasted when scrum half Shaun Thomas was allowed to pinch the ball from the feet of the home number 8 yards from the line, break into the 22 and kick ahead. The resulting chase was halted with a penalty to the home side on their line. Comments to the referee, however, meant it was reversed, and Shaun Thomas obliged with the kick.     3 – 13.

The power of the home scrummage was growing and of some concern, but with some excellent foraging by Shaun Thomas, supplemented by some excellent work by the back row of Andrew Davies, Lee Cook and Johney Maize, they were unable to gain the ascendancy they deserved.

Wanderers were unfortunate, when, under intense pressure, they were unable to convert 2 breakouts from their own line into scores.

They did however, manage to score when Leighton Williams broke away to set up position. From re-cycled ball, Gavin Mathias was able to crash over at the posts. Shaun Thomas was again successful with the conversion.                3 – 20

Lampeter, were finally rewarded for their pressure with a converted try but Wanderers played out the final 5 minutes for a well deserved victory by 20 points to 10.

With missing player coach Daniel Rogers, along with a couple of other players due to return for selection, the Wanderers could not have hoped for a more promising start to the season.

Wanderers will now look forward to their home game and welcoming old friend Bryan Stephens and his Haverfordwest side next Saturday.

 FINAL SCORE

LAMPETER                10                    WANDERERS            20

                                                             TRY:                            Mark Cook, Gavin Mathias

                                                            CONVERSION:          Shaun Thomas (2)

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