Llanelli Wanderers Rugby Football Club

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

Haverfordwest v Llanelli Wanderers 14/01/06

Unfortunately, the Wanderers travelled without their 2 influential centres and even a spirited performance could not prevent them slipping to defeat by 27 points to 17 in an entertaining game which was an excellent advert for the division.

The game had started so well for the Wanderers when Mike Francis Rees received the ball on half way, chipped over the covering defence and won the race to the try line. The try was converted by Shaun Thomas to open up a 7 point lead.

Both sides enjoyed periods of pressure, with the Wanderers scrum looking more than capable.

It was the home side, however, who opened their account after a couple of chances had been squandered, the winger found acres of space on the blind side to cross unopposed for a try and with the conversion, the scores were levelled.

The Wanderers continued to have the upper hand and Shaun Thomas was unlucky not to score after another chip and chase. The forwards were enjoying some dominance with their driving and mauling. However, continual infringements by the Wanderers at the break down meant momentum was lost on a number of occasions but the Wanderers did manage to add to their score with a penalty to lead by 10 points to 7 at half time.

The Wanderers had the perfect start to the second half when Mike Rees received the ball on half way he was able to show an exceptional turn of speed to outpace the whole of the home team and was stopped just inches short of the line. Fortunately, Andrew Davies was in support, as a good flanker should be, to pick up and reward a superb break by the full back. Shaun was again successful with the conversion for a 17 points to 7 lead.

However, with the pitch surface deteriorating rapidly and the Wanderers having to re-organise their three quarters due to injuries, Haverfordwest gradually started to get on top and peg the Wanderers into their own 22 for long periods. The scrum which had been so strong in the first half, now also began to creak and it was no real surprise when the home side created an overlap for the full back to cross out wide. Shortly afterwards, following a Wanderers scrum on half way, the ball was gifted to the home wing to sprint in unopposed and level the scores.

There now followed 10 minutes of constant pressure from the home side and although some resolute defending, the Wanderers could not prevent the home side crossing for 2 further tries, one of which supplied the wing with his hat trick.

It was difficult to single out individuals in an excellent forward effort but Lee Jones was enjoying his return to the club where he had started the season and continued to give his opposite number a torrid afternoon in the scrums.

James Bannister also contributed to an excellent scrum, and was prominent with his ball carrying and big tackles.

Whilst Andrew Davies proved he had overcome his injuries with an outstanding game in attack and defence and the pace of Mike Rees and Mark Cook, until his injury, had looked capable of winning the game for the Wanderers.

FINAL SCORE

HAVERFORDWEST                          27                    WANDERERS                        17

TRY:                                                    Mike Rees, Andrew Davies

CONVERSION:                                  Sean Thomas (2)

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