After last week’s narrow victory Wycombe were looking to build on that performance against Stow. Four changes were made to the team that took to the field away at Slough with Dan Keir, Joe Openshaw, Tom Bosley (debut) and James Outten coming into the side.

It was a fantastic start for the home side when an overthrown Stow lineout on the Wycombe twenty-two was picked off by Joff Forber who made an excellent break deep into the Stow half where he was brought down. At the ensuing ruck and with the defence scrambling second row Alex Chietan picked up from the base and ran through a big hole to score in the corner, with Joe Openshaw missing a tough kick, 5-0.

The restart was kicked out on the full and from the scrum a break down the blindside took play up to the twenty-two. With the referee playing an advantage a speculative kick was knocked on by a Stow player metres from the line. An excellent scrum (which was dominant all afternoon) took Wycombe close to the line, with the scrum wheeling Joff Forber picked up but was held up over the line. At the resulting scrum the ball was spun out to the backs, but they were penalised for crossing in midfield. Stow won the resulting lineout but a strong tackle in midfield enabled Jake Banton to rip the ball and secure possession. With the defence not set James Outten was able to use his pace and made a break into the twenty-two where Stow were penalised. Wycombe opted for the lineout, but this was overthrown, and Stow were able to clear. The home side continued to dominate territory and possession and from a scrum on the half way line another opportunity presented itself. Some excellent hands from the backs put Wycombe in behind the Stow defence but the last pass to James Outten was adjudged forward by the referee and another opportunity went begging. At a Stow scrum big pressure from the Wycombe pack forced the away team to knock on. From the resulting scrum a well-executed kick forced stow to carry the ball over their line and Wycombe were awarded a scrum five metres out. This came to nothing when after another strong scrum Wycombe were given a penalty. Instead of opting for another scrum Wycombe decided to tap and go quickly but were held up in a maul and then penalised for something that was said to the referee. Very quickly the home team found themselves defending inside their twenty-two after two penalties against them. Wycombe disrupted the Stow lineout and some outstanding continuity took play metres from the Stow line where the away team were penalised for a no arm tackle. Wycombe kicked to touch and from the lineout an excellent running line from Josh Phillips took him up to the line but in the process of being tackled and diving over the line he knocked on. From the scrum Stow’s number eight picked up and carried the ball into midfield. In trying to clear their lines a great chase from Joff Forber enabled him to charge down the kick. With the ball bouncing around the ingoal area Alex Chitan dived on the ball to score, but the referee disallowed the try adjudging that in trying to locate the ball Joff had prevented the Stow player from playing the ball.

From a missed kick to touch it was Stow’s turn to show some good continuity but a knock on stopped them in their tracks. Wycombe failed to make touch with their clearance and Stow ran the ball back and some strong carries took play close to the Wycombe line. Their patience ultimately paid off and they scored under the post, with the kick made 5-7 and the half time whistle sounded.

Half Time 5-7

Wycombe started the second half as they had the first and a penalty at a ruck for not releasing gave Wycombe a lineout five metres from the line. Another infringement gave Wycombe another penalty five metres out straight in front of the posts. Wycombe opted for a scrum although they couldn’t make their dominance tell the ball was spun out to Greg Butters who ran a great angle and offloaded to Alex Chietan to score. Joe couldn’t make the kick 10-7. Wycombe continued to create opportunities, at a Stow scrum the forward pack pushed them off their own ball and used the backs. A good break from Joe Openshaw put him in behind the defence and with James Outten free outside the final pass was once again adjudged forward and the play was brought back. Stow started to exert some pressure of their own and although the home team’s defence initially held out they were eventually penalised for coming in at the side of the ruck in front of the posts. Stow opted for the three points, 10-10. With fifteen minutes remaining the game was up for grabs, but Wycombe weren’t helped when Harry Bloodworth who had been on the pitch for a matter of seconds was penalised at a ruck and with the team on a warning, was yellow carded. Nevertheless, not to be deterred an overthrown Stow lineout enabled Wycombe to break and some strong carries took play into the twenty -two. This time Wycombe were able to take their opportunity and James Outten went over in the corner, Joe couldn’t make the kick 15-10. With less than ten minutes remaining Wycombe took the restart but Stow counter rucked and gained possession and took play close to the line. Then a strange passage of play ensued, as Stow pressed for the try it seemed like they knocked the ball on over the try line and to make sure Jake Banton touched the ball down. At this point all the players stopped waiting for the whistle to blow but it never sounded, a Stow player dived on the ball and the try was awarded. A good kick took the score to 15-17. With a few minutes remaining Wycombe were awarded a penalty outside the twenty-two, but with the penalty just outside of Joe’s range they kicked to touch but this came to nothing and the final whistle sounded.

Full Time 15-17

Overall an extremely frustrating afternoon as Wycombe created enough chances to win the game comfortably and we need to be more clinical. Stow should be credited for staying in the match and taking their opportunities when they arose particularly as they suffered several injuries.