Thomas stars for happy Wanderers

Apr 7 2008 by Anthony Woolford, South Wales Echo

WHAT a difference a week makes.

Just seven days before, Wanderers had slumped to a disappointing league defeat at Rodney Parade, but, in a dramatic reversal of fortune at the Memorial Ground, earned a place in the semi-final of the Konica Minolta Cup.

It left Wanderers coach Richard Hodges singing his side’s praises. “We were the better side from the first whistle to the last,” he said.

“Our forwards were outstanding today and dominated things. The conditions were much more to our liking and we were back to our best.

“All 22 players deserve enormous credit.

“I told them before the game that we could create our own little bit of history as the club has never reached the semi-final of the cup in 100 years.”

The game was a triumph for Wanderers centre James Thomas, the 19-year-old showing great composure to post 14 crucial points from four penalties and a conversion.

Leading 16-12 at half-time, the hosts kept their belief with tries from Jamie Jones, Mark Roper and a late Sam Warburton effort seeing them safely through to the last four.

The Black and Ambers were restricted to kicks for all their points – Dan Griffiths landing a brace of penalties and a drop goal, while Nick Wakely also dropped a goal – to keep intact Wanderers’ record of not having conceded a try in the competition this season.