LAUGHARNE RUGBY FOOTBALL CLUB

The Wanderers kicked off and using the strength of the wind kept Laugharne in their own half. In the 8th minute the Laugharne midfield defence was prised open with wing C.Evans crossing half way out for an unconverted try. Despite this setback, Laugharne heads did not go down and one felt an inner resolve coming from them. Flyhalf Jonathan Thomas, on permit from Whitland with some sensible kicking in the conditions kept Laugharne ticking over nicely and his forwards kept asking questions of the bigger Wanderers pack. Surprisingly some of the handling by both teams was top quality as they probed at each other. In the 18th minute the Wanderers went further ahead. After a number of phases which had Laugharne stretched it was centre D.Rogers who made the final inroad to the Laugharne line and cross for an unconverted try. Laugharne were still in the game and there was some rousing performances from Darren Jones, Kevin Pearce and Gareth Clifford in the back row and locks Jamie Williams and young Luke Battison who were having a good afternoon in scrums and lineouts. Glimpses of the potent partnership of centre Paul Mason and Barry John were coming to the fore as they broke through on several occasions but too often they were found isolated and the Wanderers nullified these threats. In the 26th minute Laugharne opened their account with fullback Ross Michael slotting over a straightforwad penalty from the 22 for a Wanderers` player straying offside. However in the 30th minute the Wanderers regained their 10pts advantage with flyhalf C.Macey kicking a penalty from in front of the Laugharne posts for not releasing in the tackle. 13pts - 3pts was a fairly satisfactory score at half time from a Wanderers point of view but also encouraging for Laugharne.
Laugharne restarted the 2nd half with a sense of urgency and took the game to the Wanderers. Wing Jack Tremlett looked strong and with Michael holding things together from fullback the Laugharne backs were beginning to flourish. Pocket battleship Gethin Jones at scrum half kept barking his orders and his forwards responded with the Laugharne front row of stalwart Robert Jones and Zak Lowther at prop together with live wire hooker Brian Thornton rallying to the cause. In the 6th minute of the half flyhalf Thomas got Laugharne deep into the Wanderers 22 and the Wanderers kicked the ball out for a Laugharne 5m lineout. With a good throw by Thornton and an excellent take from Battison in the middle of the lineout the ball was won and smuggled to arch poacher No.8 Clifford who with the help of his forwards was propelled over the line for Laugharne`s first try which went unconverted. Laugharne tails were up and the Wanderers were visibly shaken and were staring at their possible first loss of the season. In the 20th minute the game became very interesting. After a powerful run down the middle of the park by centre Mason the Wanderers defence was in tatters and his forwards responded and with a good pick up, lock Williams was over for an unconverted try to bring the scores level. It was to be a tense 15minutes or so until the end of the match and in the 26th minute of the half flyhalf Macey eased the Wanderers nerves after a dubious decision for a high tackle as he kicked the penalty from the 22. But Laugharne rallied again and worked their way into the Wanderers 22 and in the 30th minute flyhalf Thomas brought the score level at 16pts - 16pts with his first penalty attempt. This would have been a fitting result for the match with the Wanderers feeling rather fortunate to get anything out of it. However they played their `Get out of jail` card. In the dying minutes of this absorbing contest they set themselves up for a 5m scrum near the Laugharne line. In the gloom of a late afternoon in mid December with the light fading rapidly, on the 2nd time of asking No.8 G.Wyrwoll picked up and forced his way over for an unconverted try. Laugharne hearts sank but they did get into the Wanderers 22 from the restart but it was an impossible task as the Wanderers kicked out of play to end the game.
However Laugharne can take a lot of satisfaction from this result which will hopefully put them in good stead for the remainder of the season and they did salvage a precious losing bonus point!

Laugharne`s next league match is an away fixture at Betws (Ammanford) on Saturday 7th Jan 2012

Over the Christmas period there will be the boxing day extravaganza with the Old Boys making their annual pilgrimage to Wooford park and the usual celebrations afterwards. All welcome!

Wishing all readers a Merry Christmas and a rewarding New Year!

Alun Jenkins Laugharne R.F.C