Their convincing 30-10 victory at St Joseph’s last weekend earned them the title with a game to spare. They knew a bonus-point victory would be good enough to allow them to clinch the league title, but they fell one try short.
Then came the wait to hear the results from other games. Rumney did all they could to stay in the fight with a 27-15 win at Porth Harlequins, but it wasn’t enough to deny the Wanderers.
“We couldn’t celebrate immediately after the game because we hadn’t heard the results from the other games. We knew that if Rumney had got a bonus point we wouldn’t have been crowned champions,” said Wanderers director of rugby, Martyn Fowler.
“We eventually got all the details by about 6.00pm, but we weren’t able to have a party because we were due to play Rumney in the semi-finals of the Mallett Cup. It is the second time we’ve won the East Central title in the past four seasons and this was a much harder victory.
“When we drew at Porth we thought we had blown our chances. We went away from that game, refocused and rejuvenated the squad and the players hit back brilliantly.
“It has been great to be able to celebrate the club’s 125th anniversary season with a trophy. Now we can look forward to playing the winners of Division 1 East in the play-off for a place in the Championship next season.
“It looks like being either Brecon or Penallta, so we know we are in for a tough challenge. Rugby in Cardiff needs a club in the Championship and it would be fantastic if we could make it for next season given the number of big name teams coming down from the Premiership.”
Wales U20 lock Teddy Williams started of the Wanderers at St Joes and shone in a victory that included tries from Josh Sheehan, Max Cunnington and Will Adams-Jones. Luke Fish converted them all, kicked two penalties and also added a drop goal for good measure for a match tally of 15 points.
But Rumney gained some small revenge with their last gaps, 29-27 win in the Mallett Cup semi-final as they knocked out the holders with a final conversion. They will now go on to meet Rhiwbina, who beat Llanishen 33-7, in the final.
