Llanelli Wanderers Rugby Football Club

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

 LLANELLI WANDERERS v  HAVERFORDWEST 10/09/05

 Saturday’s early morning sunshine gave way to torrential rain as the game got under way, and continued for the whole 80 minutes.  The Wanderers were quickly out of the blocks, opening with a penalty by Shaun Thomas.

Haverfordwest then continued to enjoy the early territory until a fine break by centre Gareth Jones took play into the Haverfordwest half. Co-centre, Leighton Williams was on hand to continue the move and a fine offload in the tackle by Daniel Rogers enabled wing Karl Evans to cross unopposed for the opening try.

However, Haverfordwest hit back straight from the kick off with a penalty to open their account.

The Wanderers forwards were taking the game to the visitors and another fine break out from defence, led by captain Iwan Jones, was halted just short of the line, but the resulting penalty was converted by Shaun Thomas.

When a visitors attack broke down, wing Karl Evans took play back into the Haverfordwest half, where a penalty was again converted by Shaun Thomas.

The Wanderers were offloading well in the tackle, but Haverfordwest hit back with 2 penalties for the half to close  with the Wanderers leading by 14 points to 9.

The torrential rain was making the playing surface a lottery, but both sides still attempted to move the ball and play expansive rugby.  The bigger visitors pack gradually began to wear down the home 8, who were forced to defend for long periods.

It appeared the Wanderers had weathered the storm, in more ways than one, when they managed to break into the visitors half and were awarded a penalty which unfortunately missed.

Gavin Mathias saved a certain try when he managed to steal the ball at a maul under the Wanderers posts. Unfortunately, he was injured in the process and forced to leave the field.

Shaun Thomas was having a massive game at scrum half and it was unfortunate that when he was also forced to leave the field with an injury, that the visitors pressure was finally rewarded with a try.

The Wanderers had their chance to regain the lead with a penalty from half way, but conditions proved too much and the kick sailed wide.

Both sides should be complimented for a fine game in the conditions and perhaps a draw was a fair result at the end of the day.  One item of play which will concern the home coaches is the penalty account conceded.

FINAL SCORE

WANDERERS                        14                                HAVERFORDWEST              14

TRY:                            Karl Evans

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