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| 16 December 2003, 9:11 am |
| Wanderers Take First Win In New A League |
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WANDERERS 29
LEEDS A 3
Wanderers started their campaign in the new Zurich A League with a convincing win against Leeds Tykes second XV at Bedford's Goldington Road last night.
The combined Saints and Bedford side took their time to get off the mark but once they did so they did not look back.
It was Leeds that was first to score after eleven minutes through a Liam Botham penalty. This score was against the run of play as Wanderers had most of the possession but were penalised harshly by the referee. Wanderers were determined not to let this affect their concentration however and fought back each time to regain possession and territory.
The first try of the evening looked to come mid-way through the first half as the home side ran the ball to the Yorkshire men through wing Oriol Ripol and then Jon Clarke, who was unfortunate not to score. Leeds had their second and last chance of scoring through another Botham penalty but this kick went wide of the posts.
An intense five minutes came just before the turn around. Wanderers were awarded a penalty, which was kicked to touch by fly-half Ben Russell. From here the forwards worked hard to gain important metres, before sending Brett McNamee in for the first Wanderers' score of the evening. This was not converted leaving the score 5-3 at half-time.
The beginning of the second-half was marred by replacement hooker Chris Rowland being sent off for stamping, after being on the pitch for just two minutes. This did not affect the Wanderers' spirit though as they became more determined. Wil Snape was the unfortunate man to leave the field as replacement prop James Ross moved into the hooking position to avoid uncontested scrums.
The second try of the evening came after 50 minutes as Paul Diggin ran 20 metres to provide Ed Binham with a pass which took him over the line.
Wanderers kept the pressure on the Leeds side and again came away with the spoils, this time with a try through skipper Johnny Howard, converted by Ben Russell.
Howard was involved again when he started a back-line move, which resulted in an easy run in for Andy Vilk.
The increased pace of the second-half had taken its toll on the visitors. Although they tried a late fight back, it was shortlived as Vilk dived over for his second and the final score of the evening.
A dominant second spell saw the home side win the half 24-0 and the match 29-3. Wanderers had achieved their goal by winning their first league fixture and also coming away with a bonus point, which may prove crucial at the end of the season.
Scorers:
Wanderers
Tries: McNamee, Binham, Vilk (2); Cons: Russell (2)
Leeds Tykes
Pen: Botham
Teams:
Wanderers - Clarke; Diggin, Vilk, Binham, Ripol; Russell, Howard (capt); Sturgess, Miles, Golding, Halsey , Ball; Snape, Walker, McNamee.
Replacements: Rowland, Bucknall, Ross, Chance, Newall, B Jones, Mansfield.
Leeds - Cardy; Biggs, Botham, Rock, Daplyn; McLoughlin, Barry; Cussack, Bowden, O'Donaran, Enston, Jones; Challinor, Stockdale, Rigney
Replacements: Stead, Hague, Worrall, Chester, Buchanan, Rothwell, Buck.
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