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Worcester Wanderers
rose to second place in the North Midland League 1 table after their win
over Woodrush on Saturday.
The Wanderers started the game at pace and were rewarded with a try after
just three minutes when full back Jim Callow touched down after some good
approach work by the forwards. Joph Young failed to convert but kicked a
penalty in front of the posts eight minutes later after Woodrush had been
penalised for offside.
With the Wanderers forwards playing with pace and precision and the backs
looking threatening whenever they moved the ball into the open spaces, it
was not long before try number two came. Again, it was full back Callow
cutting a sharp angle through the defence to score under the posts. Young
converting the try and Wanderers were 15 - 0 up after only 20 minutes.
They continued to strive for more points and their efforts were rewarded
just before half time when winger Tom Muir scored from a quick tap penalty.
The conversion from Young took them to 22 - 0 at half time.
Soon after resumption of play Muir was fortunate to escape with just a
yellow card when a scuffle broke out following a late tackle on full back
Callow. His lack of discipline saw him sent to the sin bin for ten minutes
and this put the Wanderers under unnecessary additional pressure for the
first period of the second half.
With Woodrush using the wind to their advantage the Wanderers had to raise
their defensive effort in the second half. The only score that the visitors
achieved came from a misunderstanding in the Wanderers defence in their own
22 which gave Woodrush a try in the corner to bring the score to 22 - 5.
This lapse seemed to lift the home team and the Wanderers then picked up
their game for the last 15 minutes of the second half, ensuring victory,
when a neat dummy and show of the ball by Joph Young saw him breeze in under
the posts for a try. The conversion of his own try gave the Wanderers a 29
- 5 lead which they held to the end of the game |
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The Wanderers IIs
played against Woodrush IIs and enjoyed domination from the start. With
quality play they started with excellent quick handling and were ahead after
5 minutes following good running from the backs culminating in Wes Hawkins
scoring the first try, which was converted by Roger James.
Throughout the first half the Wanderers IIs forwards were getting the upper
hand in the rucks and mauls and forced the Woodrush forwards into giving
away a penalty directly in front of the posts, accurately stroked by Roger
James taking the score 10 - 0. After this Woodrush then rallied and seemed
to be about to score from a good break by the Woodrush number 8. This was
ended by a ferocious tackle from fullback Paddy Clear. The tackling in the
second half was first class and the Wanderers contained a period of Woodrush
pressure in the third quarter, but Woodrush were unable to muster any other
real challenges or manage to score.
Wanderers IIs extended their lead in the second half with further tries from
Andy Dey (2), Paddy Clear (2),A Cownie (1) Chris Fawcett (1) and Nigel Ford
(1). Roger James kicked 5 conversions to make the final score Worcester
Wanderers II 55 Woodrush II 0.
It was unfortunate that Hooker A J Harker suffered a fractured wrist and had
to be taken to hospital where he has undergone surgery to pin the bones. AJ
had rejoined the club this season and we all wish him a speedy recovery.
The position of Hooker was taken over by David Tainton who was keen to tell
everyone interested that he made 2 strikes against the head. |
