Towards the end of last season, Wanderers played the same opponents in a Pedrick Cup Semi Final at Horsham Fields, a match that had to be conceded before kick-off due to lack of numbers and played as a friendly. It's a measure of how far the club have developed in the last year that a squad of 20 was assembled for this Merit Table fixture, despite a large contingent travelling to North Tawton for the Chiefs fixture and a sizeable injury list within the club.

Team Manager Paul Brown may have had good numbers to work with although it was slightly top heavy with head-down arse-up front five forwards compared to those of the back persuasion. Undaunted he came up with a complex plan, which wouldn't have looked out of place in a NASA space mission, to rotate his players so that they all got reasonable game time. As with some of the best laid plans this was somewhat disrupted by first half injuries to promising full back Luke Warrington and livewire flanker James Humphrey. Seasoned forwards such as Sam Russell and Paul Symons deputised well in the backs.

Playing with the elements in their favour in the first half Argaum were guilty of trying to play too much rugby in the wrong positions and the speedy Oaks backs were quick to capitalise on any mistakes to run in a couple of early tries from distance. They also found themselves conceding a series of penalties in their own 22 which led to a 3rd try from short range for the hosts.

Simplifying the tactics, Argaum kicked more for territory and got themselves back in the game. Gaining the ascendancy up front with a strong set-piece gave half-backs Jason Burdett and Darren Wills a platform to get the three-quarters moving. From one such move Craig Roberts, a rugby league convert, set off on a barnstorming run to touch down. The Wanderers continued to threaten for the remainder of the half but were thwarted on a couple of occasions and so went in at the interval 17-5 down.

Argaum rang the changes up front but continued to have the upper hand and were particularly effective with the rolling maul, on one occasion driving a full 40 metres. Despite now extracting penalties from their opponents they were unable to keep momentum however as a number of their kicks to touch were missed. Plymstock's young backs were one again eager to pick up any loose play and through effective counter attacking they racked up a couple more tries.

The Wanderers showed great spirit and finished strongly in the last quarter, with the likes of Dave Rawles, Rob Taylor and Dave Nicholson prominent. Another epic series of rolling mauls gave them great field position and after moving the ball wide Sam Russell put Owen Belli over the line in the corner. Somehow the ball was lost in the tackle and so the Peverell teenager picked up his second consecutive dick-of-the-day award.

Plymstock, who were Merit Table champions before this game, knew they had been in a tough game and with some better game management (and possibly a more balanced side) the result should have been a lot closer. Those wishing to view a rematch may not have to wait too long if Oaks can overcome Devonport Services III and join The Wanderers in The Ellis Cup Final on 23rd April. This was a hugely improved perfomance from the Wanderers in attitude and discipline compared to the last time out and the management team will be looking for more of the same this Saturday against Torrington IIs.