Match Report Wanderers V Stamford 30 Nov 2002

Worcester Wanderers met with Stamford in the fourth round of the Powergen Junior Vase and came away with a good win.  The visitors from Lincolnshire, who celebrate their Centenary Year this season started the game with enthusiasm, but The Wanderers were soon in control of the match and from the start showed that they meant to win this game.  

 An early penalty by full back Joph Young was soon followed by a the first try. After pressure from the forwards, scrum half Lee Watson took the ball in and from the ruck flanker Jon Rew threw a long pass to outside centre Wes Hawkins who side stepped the Stamford defender, passed to centre Chris Allen, who caught a low ball one handed, shrugged off a strong tackle to score in the corner.  8-0 

Stamford’s larger pack initially caused problems for the Wanderers but the forwards dug and wore them down allowing No 8 Will Orgee to pick up from a 5 metre scrum and score, with Joph Young’s conversion making it 15-0.  Stamford seemed to be revived by this and shortly before half time scored a try and at the turn around it 15-5 to the Wanderers. 

In the second half, despite kicking into the wind and the muddy ground the Wanderers played sparkling rugby watched by a crowd in excess of 50 and the forwards inspired by the handling skills of the backs started to dominate the game.  The front row of Ade Barber, Dave Shaw and Simon Finley matched their heavier opponents and the second row of Jock Mackinnon and Ian Taylor won not only their own lineout ball but stole several from Stamford.   

From one of those lineouts a series of moves led to a kick ahead, which the Stamford full back half cleared, and a youthful stand off Ian Richards scooped up, ran and passed to full back Mark Duffield who despite being tacked on the line scored to make it 20-5. 

The final try came from combined forwards and backs play enabling winger Tom Muir to score the final Wanderers try of the game. 

Inside Centre Joph Young was unfortunate not to score interception tries when he almost took the ball on three occasions, but due to the cold and wet could not hold on to it when only 20 yards from their try line with no opposition. 

The back row of Will Orgee, Jon Rew and Ade Farmer worked hard to link with the backs and provide them with several scoring positions.  The backs were pacy and ran excellent lines causing Stamford many problems which were only stopped by determined Stamford tackling. 

Late in the second half after a period of pressure, Stamford were awarded a penalty a metre from the Wanderers line, which they took before the defence could group, moved the ball wide to score, but with no time the game ended with a fine win by the Wanderers 25-10. 

They will now meet one of the following sides in the 5^th Round: 

Bromyard, Mellish, Old Griffinians, Shipston on Stour, Tenbury, West Bridgford or Worksop. 

Results of the other Midlands matches are as follows: