Sat 19 Nov 2016
High Wycombe were back in Southern Counties North action against local rivals Beaconsfield hoping to get back to winning ways, although Beaconsfield had other ideas. If the plan was to start well Wycombe hadn’t read the script, as from the kick off a knock on presented Beaconsfield the ball deep inside the Wycombe half. After several phases of play a missed tackle allowed the Beaconsfield inside centre Freddie Pugh in under the post 0-5, although the conversation was missed. Wycombe hit back and from a Beaconsfield knock on were awarded a scrum on the ten-metre line. It was now Wycombe’s turn to hold onto the ball and pressurise the Beaconsfield line and eventually number eight Eddie Roach dived over in the corner, 5-5 with the conversation missed. From the restart, it was Wycombe who upped the intensity and from a clever kick from Matt Wardle Beaconsfield were forced to carry the ball over their line, but Wycombe couldn’t capitalize on the good field position and Beaconsfield managed to clear the ball. Wycombe’s injury curse then struck again with fly half Matt Wardle forced to leave the pitch after a nasty looking ankle injury, which meant a reshuffle in the back line. With no recognised fly half on the bench Tom Catchpole and then Ben Lockhart took over the responsibility.
Wycombe’s pressure finally paid off when Beaconsfield were penalised for hands in the ruck and Ben Lockhart stepped up to slot the three points 8-5. This is as good as it got for the Wycombe faithful and from a lineout a slick backs move saw Beaconsfield deep in the Wycombe half and a clever kick through put the Wycombe defence under pressure on their line. Wycombe managed to secure the ball but the clearing kick didn’t find touch and allowed the Beaconsfield backs to run the ball back and a nice offload saw winger Idusi Labri sprint in under the post, with the conversation good 8-12. For the rest of the half Beaconsfield dominated both territory and possession and from a penalty opted for a scrum eight metres from the Wycombe line, although Beaconsfield secured the ball from the scrum Wycombe did well to turn the ball over but again failed to find touch and Beaconsfield ran the ball back and were stopped just short of the line. With quick ball and Wycombe’s defence not set Beaconsfield scored in the corner 8-17. From the re-start Beaconsfield broke several tackles and made easy yards into the Wycombe half and only the referee’s whistle stopped the dangerous Labri scoring another try. Fortunately, that was the last action of the first half 8-17.
The second half started as the first had finished and another missed touch from deep inside the twenty-two fell to Labri who jinked his way past three or four defenders to score a fantastic individual try (it is easy to see why he has scored so many tries this season), with the conversation made, 8-24. Beaconsfield were now making easy yards and from the kick -off and managed to run the ball back to within ten metres of the Wycombe line and eventually went in the corner 8-29. Wycombe’s cause was once again not helped by injury and for the second time this season were forced to play for a short period with 14 players due to Wardle ankle, Mitchell back, Bainer head and Ricketts neck all having to leave the field, although Dave Ricketts did make it back onto the field. Beaconsfield continued to dominate and scored from another backs move in the corner 8-34. Beaconsfield yet again secured good field position from the kick-off with Wycombe dropping off tackles and although the Beaconsfield forwards couldn’t puncture the line their impressive back line did, 8-39. This was the last of the scoring action but the referee was forced to finish the game early because of nasty collision between Wycombe’s Andy Easton and Matty Campbell, which required an ambulance to be called. Andy seemed to be unhurt but Matty required a trip to A+E, we wish him all the best.
All in all, a very disappointing performance from High Wycombe, Beaconsfield deserved their victory but it leaves Wycombe in 8th position looking over their shoulders at the teams below and face a trip to league leaders Bicester next Saturday.
