On a day that saw some heavy rain showers and despite the conditions, Jamin Hodgkins and his Glamorgan Wanderers teammates and their opponents Llangennech served up an exciting game of full running rugby and despite the drawn result, Llangennech go through to the next round of the knock-out Cup having scored more Try’s than the Wanderers.
The early exchanges were punctuated by the whistle as both sides searched for an early advantage. An obstruction offense by the Llangennech backs gave the first chance and Hodgkins stepped up to get the scoreboard moving 3-0.
Soon afterward the lead was extended as Hodgkins landed his second penalty 6-0. The visitors responded well. A penalty of their own gave them a chance to reduce the arrears but they elected to kick deep into the Wanderers 22. The initial drive from the lineout was repulsed but after a couple of drives the ball was moved wide and they crossed easily in the corner. A superb conversion was added 7-6.
The visitors were then forced into an early change when their fullback suffered a leg injury clearing the ball from his 22. Back came the Wanderers. A good kick chase put the pressure on and Llangennech was forced into giving away a penalty. The home side sent for the deep lineout but they lost the ball and the visitors tried to run out of defense. The attempt failed and they conceded another kickable penalty which Hodgkins converted 9-7.
The heavens then opened making conditions very tough but both sides continued to play. The visitors, with the help of a few penalties, mounted several attacks but this time the home side's defense held firm.
Llangennech were now certainly getting a head of steam up despite the rain and once again electing to run kickable penalties they soon added their second converted try to take the lead 14-9 as the half entered its final quarter.
The Wanderers set up another lineout attack deep in Llangennech territory but once again poor accuracy from the home side seemed to foil the attack. The loose ball gave Cameron Growcott a chance to drive for the line and when the ball ended up in Sam Turner’s hands, he crashed over for the Wanderer's first try. Hodgkins converted 16-14.
As the half entered injury time the visitors hit back again. A series of penalties ended with a general warning to both skippers and when the Wanderers offended again Ethan Battle was picked out for yellow. The visitors took full advantage and after more drives and penalties they crashed over to send the sides into the break with Llangennech ahead 21-16.
The second half began brightly for the home side. The visitors moved the ball into midfield but lost control of the ball. Finn Davies kicked the ball ahead and then showed good footballing skills to kick the ball on. Showing good pace, he got to the loose ball first and with conditions so wet underfoot he gathered and slid over for the Wanderer's second try. Hodgkins converted 23-21.
The home side certainly had their tails up and they should have extended the lead soon afterwards. Hodgkins broke down the wing and fed Josh Male. He was brought down short but with the line beckoning the home side managed to pass the ball forward preventing the score.
The Wanderers had a chance to extend the lead again with a penalty but the Hodgkins shot hit the post (a crucial blow as it turned out!) and Llangennech cleared once again.
With the pressure lifted Llangennech then mounted more attacks. A 50-22 gave them field position and once again forcing several penalties they forced their way over to nudge them back in front 26-23.
Back came the home side again and a 50-22 of their own gave them a good position. A series of attacks were thwarted but the referee was playing an advantage and the subsequent penalty allowed Hodgkins to tie it up at 26-26.
|
