Sat 27 Jan 2018
After last week’s tough defeat High Wycombe welcomed fourth placed Thatcham to Kingsmead. Due to injuries Wycombe were forced into several changes but were buoyed by the return of Craig Murray, Stephen Philpot, Matt Wardle, James Outten and Osian Lewis. On a wet afternoon any flowing rugby was going to be difficult and the team that made the fewest mistakes was always going to have the upper hand. It was Thatcham who started the strongest when their powerful scrum pushed Wycombe off the ball and were awarded a penalty. An accurate kick set up a lineout five metres from the try line and with the possession secured formed a maul, but some excellent defence forced them to use to the ball. Initially Wycombe repelled some strong carries but eventually Thatcham’s patience paid off when they scored under the posts, with the kick made 0-7. Wycombe hit back and from a penalty kicked into the corner, a precise throw from Rob Johnson found his man at the lineout and a strong Wycombe drive enabled Craig Murray to score, with Joe Openshaw making the conversion 7-7. Wycombe were competing well, but the Thatcham forwards were making their presence felt and from a lineout formed a maul which marched 15 metres up the field, after using their backs Wycombe were penalised in front of their own posts for going off their feet at the ruck. It showed how well the home team were playing when rather than kick for touch Thatcham took the three points to take the lead again 7-10. Not to be deterred an accurate kick from Matt Wardle took play into the oppositions half where the Thatcham full back could only slice his clearance. Another good throw at the lineout and strong carry from Craig Murray put took Wycombe into the twenty-two where Thatcham were penalised for being offside. Wycombe took a shot at goal but Joe Openshaw missed the kick and the score stayed 7-10.
Some more intelligent kicking from Matt Wardle forced the Thatcham number eight to field the ball inside his twenty-two and a good tackle from Harry Tanner put the home team on the front foot. Wycombe were awarded a penalty which they took quickly, and Thatcham were penalised again. This time Matt Wardle kicked to touch to setup a lineout on the five-metre line, with possession secured the Thatcham hooker was penalised for not rolling away and was yellow carded. Wycombe opted to tap the penalty, but it came to nothing when some solid defence forced the home team into conceding a penalty. Shortly before half time Wycombe were dealt a blow when Stephen Philpot was forced off with a knee injury (he was able to return in the second half) and was replaced by the ever-dependable Ben Rush and the teams went into half time with the score 7-10.
With conditions increasingly greasy the second half started with Thatcham on the front foot, but some excellent defence ensured they never threatened the try line. Wycombe had lost prop Rob Johnson with Stephen Philpot coming back on and Josh Phillips moving to prop. Unfortunately, from a Thatcham attack a great tackle from Stephen Philpott was deemed a no arm tackle and he received a yellow card. After kicking to touch, Dan Kier put pressure on the Thatcham lineout and managed to secure the ball and Wycombe cleared their lines.
Back to full strength a great tackle from Tom Catchpole forced the away team to give away a penalty, unfortunately the kick didn’t make touch and Thatcham counter attacked until a big tackle from Harry Tanner forced the ball loose and Wycombe were awarded a scrum. With the ball secured at the scrum the forwards wound down the clock to ensure a well-deserved victory.
Overall a fantastic performance from the entire squad over a strong side, the key to the victory was the excellent defence which repelled everything Thatcham had to throw at them. Another fantastic try from the backs was the highlight of the afternoon and hopefully this can be carried forward to next week away at Wallingford.
