Sat 7 Oct 2017
With a large number of first team players injured or unavailable Wycombe travelled to Thatcham more in hope than expectation. Unfortunately that hope was quickly extinguished when from the kick off Wycombe failed to gather the ball cleanly and Thatcham gained possession. The ball was spun out to the backs and a try was scored in the corner, 5-0. Wycombe regained their composure and for the next five minutes retained the ball well but never really threatened the Thatcham twenty-two and were then penalised for holding on at a ruck. Thatcham kicked for touch and from their well drilled lineout secured the ball and used their pace in the backs to score in the corner 10-0. With Wycombe probably conceding over a stone a man in the forwards their scrum was under pressure all afternoon, but the lineout worked well and from an accurate throw to Josh Hall at the tail Wycombe set up their best attack of the half. The ball was fed to Aryton Hooker who carried strongly into the Thatcham half, after some slick hands the ball found its way out to Harry Tanner who spotted the full back out of position who put in an intelligent kick behind the defence and had the pace to score in the corner, 10-5. Unfortunately Wycombe could not build on this as a knock on at the restart presented the ball back to Thatcham who from the scrum scored in the corner, 17-5. Not to be deterred Wycombe hit back with a good turn over and after some strong carries from Aryton and debutant Lawrence Webster Thatcham were penalised for going off their feet and Joe Openshaw took the three points 17-8. Once again Wycombe weren’t able to capitalise and from a kick that went out on the full Thatcham built pressure and eventually their fly half scored under the post 24-8. For all their endeavour Wycombe were struggling and the bigger, stronger forwards of Thatcham were beginning to take control of the scrums pushing Wycombe of their own ball and just before half –time Thatcham extended their lead with another try 31-8.
Wycombe continued to work hard in the second half and when they managed to retain possession put some good phases together but didn’t have the guile to threaten the Thatcham line. Thatcham increased their lead when a dominant scrum marched Wycombe back 10 metres and the ball was spun out to the backs who scored 38-8. Thatcham were now dominant in most aspects of the game and in their eagerness to stop the big Thatcham ball carries Wycombe were pinged for being off side on a number of occasions. Thatcham opted for a scrum close to the Wycombe line but credit to the pack as they refused to buckle and Thatcham had to use their backs and eventually scored 43-8. Thatcham added another two tries 55-8 and with over 15 minutes left Wycombe were in danger of conceding more tries. Credit to the players who never gave up and this paid off, when Thatcham tapped a penalty and spun the ball wide only for the ball to be intercepted by Harry Tanner who sprinted half the length of the pitch to score in the corner, Joe Openshaw made the tough kick 55-15. In the last ten minutes Thatcham were reduced to 14 men due to a high tackle on Captain Tom Boardman and Wycombe continued make the Thatcham defence work hard with two clean breaks from Tony and Joe but Wycombe couldn’t add to the score board and the game finished 55-15.
Despite the result Head Coach Paul Gaster was pleased with the performance and praised the players for their attitude and commitment and this was echoed by one of the Thatcham forwards who commented that he was impressed that Wycombe never gave up despite the score line.
This was always going to be a difficult match with 18 first and second team players unavailable from last weekend. Credit to the players who took to the pitch they worked hard and were fully committed but were ultimately beaten by a bigger, stronger and better Thatcham side.
