Sat 18 Feb 2017
High Wycombe’s good start to 2017 came to a shuddering halt against a strong Thatcham side.
Having been unbeaten since the new year Wycombe hoped to keep that run going but a number enforced changes to key players in the pack was always going to make it difficult and so it proved. It was evident that Thatcham had the size advantage and they used this well in the scrum and the loose. Wycombe started brightly and were awarded a penalty for Thatcham not rolling away, but unfortunately Freddie Roddick missed a tough kick. From a penalty Thatcham had a lineout on the Wycombe ten metre and used their big forwards to rumble a maul to inside the twenty-two, the ball was then released to the backs where only a good tackle from Rob Morgan bundled the winger into touch. Wycombe secured the lineout but the clearing kick didn’t make touch and after a several phases of play Thatcham scored in the corner, with the conversion made 7-0. From the kick-off Thatcham immediately made ground into the Wycombe half, the Thatcham forwards were not only running hard but also offloading in the tackle making it extremely difficult for Wycombe, eventually the pressure told and Thatcham scored under the posts, 14-0. More pressure from Thatcham led to a scrum on the Wycombe five metre line, this time the scrum held firm and Thatcham were forced to use their backs, a fantastic interception from Freddie put him away with the Thatcham winger chasing him Freddie showed great pace to score under the posts, with Freddie also making the kick 14-7. Unfortunately, Wycombe could not kick on and again from the kick off Thatcham made big yards into the Wycombe half, Wycombe were then penalised for a high tackle, Thatcham kicked the penalty 17-7. A good kick from Harry Tanner pinned Thatcham deep inside their twenty-two, from the lineout the clearing kick didn’t make touch, some direct running from Harry and Rob gained Wycombe a penalty, but Freddie put the kick wide. A Thatcham knock on gave Wycombe a scrum on the half way line, but a mix up at the back of the scrum presented the ball to Thatcham who went through several phases and scored under the posts, 24-7 and it stayed this way until half time.
The second half started as the first had ended with Thatcham enjoying the majority of the territory and possession and after some strong runs the Thatcham fly half converted a drop goal to take the score out to 27-7. Wycombe were soon pegged back inside their twenty-two again but some good defence managed to hold up a maul near the try line. At the scrum Wycombe did well but Pete who was now playing number eight picked up the ball but his pass to Dave was intercepted by the Thatcham scrum half who scored 34-7. From a penalty at the scrum Wycombe were once again defending a lineout five metres out, an impressive catch and drive enabled Thatcham to score 39-7. Thatcham added another three points when Wycombe were penalised for coming in at the side of a ruck 42-7. Wycombe were then awarded a penalty which Tom Catchpole took quickly, a strong run took him into the Thatcham twenty-two and was he unlucky to be just held up over the line. Wycombe secured possession from the scrum but knocked on in the backs and the ball was hacked up to the half way line, we were then penalised for not releasing. Thatcham took the penalty quickly and two passes later their second row scored under the posts 49-7. Finally, Wycombe managed to string some phases together and some good work by both the forwards and backs enabled Rob Morgan to score, Freddie made the conversion 49-14. In the dying minutes, Thatcham scored another try to make the score 56-14.
Overall a disappointing defeat, Thatcham thoroughly deserved their win (it is hard to believe that Thatcham are only 6th in the league). Next week a big match at home against local rivals Marlow, hopefully Wycombe will be back to full strength.
