Sat 11 Mar 2017
After defeat at home earlier in the season, Wycombe were determined to put on a performance against local rivals Beaconsfield in the return fixture. With a more recognised team travelling to Oak Lodge Meadow hopes were high that Wycombe could come away with the victory.
From the kick-off, Wycombe made the perfect start, a good kick from Matt Wardle was gathered by Beaconsfield but the clearing kick was sliced straight into the hands of Joff Forber who had the pace to sprint into the corner, Matt missed the tough kick but Wycombe were 5-0 up within one minute. Beaconsfield hit back and a good probing kick sent Wycombe’s defence scrambling back to their own line where Joff dived on the ball and managed to get straight back up and prevent a five-metre scrum. From the ensuing ruck the ball was cleared but didn’t make touch and Beaconsfield counter attacked with their backs, but this was cut short when there was a nasty collision between Harry Tanner and the Beaconsfield winger, with the Beaconsfield player having to leave the pitch looking very groggy (hopefully all was ok). From a lineout, Wycombe secured the ball but were then penalised for holding on at the ruck and Beaconsfield took a kick at goal, fortunately for Wycombe the ball hit the post and Wycombe managed to clear their lines. Wycombe regained the ball and a fantastic line from prop Aryton Hooker enabled him to break a tackle and carry the ball up to the twenty-two-metre line, some quick ball was spun out to the backs but a kick meant for Harry went into touch for a Beaconsfield lineout. After twenty minutes Wycombe were dealt a blow when Curtis Brennan, was given a yellow card for a trip in midfield and Wycombe were down to 14 men. From the resulting penalty, Beaconsfield took the three points on offer, 3-5. Minutes later some good continuity from Beaconsfield saw them string several phases together and then kicked the ball deep into the Wycombe’s twenty -two. Wycombe looked like they had the numbers to deal with the bouncing ball but a Beaconsfield boot managed to kick the ball over the try line and as the ball was travelling close to the dead ball line a Beaconsfield player dived on it and the try was awarded, the conversion was missed 8-5. Wycombe were now back to fifteen players but were making life difficult for themselves with a number of unforced errors and after a good break from Tom Catchpole a knock on at the ruck handed Beaconsfield possession. Wycombe were then awarded a penalty and a great kick from Matt Wardle set up a Wycombe lineout five metres out. A great throw by Anton Silvey found Ian Burnham at the tail of the lineout and the ball was fed to Aryton Hooker who had peeled off and he managed to rumble his way over the try line to score, with the kick missed 8-10 and there was no further score until half time.
Wycombe were slow to start the second half and most of the possession and territory was with Beaconsfield and only some good defence stopped them adding to their points tally. From a scrum that was under pressure Eddie managed to pick up the ball and offload to Tom Catchpole who made a fine break into the Beaconsfield half but a knock on halted the attack. Some good continuity from Beaconsfield enabled them to string some phases together, Wycombe’s defence held firm but then were penalised close to their own line and Tom Catchpole was yellow carded, so Wycombe were down to 14 players for the second time in the game. Beaconsfield kicked to touch and Wycombe defended the rolling maul well, so Beaconsfield used their backs but a great tackle from Freddie Roddick stopped the winger from scoring. Beaconsfield recycled the ball and spun the ball out to the opposite wing and eventually the one-man advantage told and Beaconsfield scored in the corner, 13-10. From the kick-off, Beaconsfield cleared the ball to Freddie who passed to Matt on the halfway line who using the slope arrowed a great kick which bounced into touch just short of the try-line. Although Beaconsfield won the lineout Eddie Roche managed to get his hands on the ball at the maul and Wycombe were awarded a scrum five metres out. Although the scrum was under pressure Eddie Roche picked from the base of the scrum and went blind and after a couple of passes Daniel Lofthouse-Smith went over in the corner, kick missed 13-15. Wycombe now back to 15 players had ten minutes to hold onto the lead and some more good kicking from Matt Wardle pegged Beaconsfield deep into their own half. Unfortunately, from the lineout Ian Burnham was penalised, but instead of clearing their lines Beaconsfield took a quick tap but Wycombe’s tackling was good and Beaconsfield didn’t make any ground and then knocked on. Wycombe were then awarded a penalty after some pushing and shoving but Matt missed the penalty. From the drop out Wycombe gained possession but then lost the ball but after a great turn over from Jason Gumbs Wycombe were awarded a penalty, and kicked for the corner. At lineout Wycombe gathered the ball attacked the Beaconsfield line but Beaconsfield infringed at the ruck and given a yellow card. With time almost up Joe Openshaw took a quick tap and spun the ball out to Freddie Roddick on the wing who looked to have scored in the corner but the referee disallowed the try and then blew the final whistle.
Overall a scrappy game with lots of mistakes from both teams, Wycombe battled hard and took their chances when they had them and after their last gasp defeat to Marlow will be pleased to hang onto to victory. A break from first team rugby next week, the next game is in two weeks at home to second placed Bicester.
