High Wycombe Rugby Club

After a narrow loss last time out Wycombe were hoping to get back to winning ways against undefeated Wallingford. With conditions ideal for running rugby it was hoped that both teams would serve up an entertaining game.

It was Wallingford who opened the scoring after Wycombe kicked the ball out on the full. From the lineout Wallingford’s big forwards carried hard and Wycombe were penalised close to their line. The home team decided to take the three points on offer 3-0. The restart went straight into touch which presented Wallingford with a scrum in midfield. Wycombe were then penalised at the scrum for their back row not being bound and Wallingford made a good touch. They secured the lineout and once again the away team where at the wrong end of the referee’s whistle and presented Wallingford with another easy three points, 6-0. A great hanging restart was snaffled by Alex Chietan and this time it was Wallingford who were penalised for being offside in midfield.  Wycombe opted for a kick at goal and Matt Wardle slotted the kick 6-3. From a knock-on in midfield Wycombe created their first try scoring opportunity. An excellent backs move put Jake Banton into space and he fed the ball out to Osian Lewis, but some good covering defence stopped him five metres from the line. Wycombe continued to play in the right area of the field and forced a twenty-two metre drop out. From the twenty-two the ball was gathered by debutant Toby Lane who put up a steepling up and under. Two Wallingford players converged on the ball but got in each other’s way and the ball ricocheted into the hands of Toby who ran in unopposed, Matt Wardle made the conversion 6-10. Wallingford hit back and from a penalty for a high tackle had a lineout five metres from the line. Initially some strong defence kept the home team out but eventually their big forwards crashed over to score, 13-10. Just before half time Wycombe had a chance to level the scores after another good break from Jake Banton took play up to the twenty-two and Wallingford were penalised. Unfortunately, Matt missed the penalty and the half time whistle sounded.

Half time 13-10

The second half didn’t start as planned when a knock on presented Wallingford with a scrum just outside the Wycombe twenty-two. Some missed tackles enabled Wallingford to take play five metres from the line when the referee inadvertently got in the way of the ball and a scrum was called. Wallingford secured the ball and after a number of phases scored and converted the kick,    20-10. Wycombe hit back immediately, with Wallingford gathering the kick off and trying to clear their lines an athletic change down by James Porter presented Wycombe with possession and Wallingford were penalised. 

Wycombe opted for the scrum and some strong carries had the defence scrambling. With space out wide, an accurate long pass from Matt Wardle found Will Outten who went over in the corner, the kick was missed 20-15.

There was a let off for the away team when a strong carry from Ayrton Hooker was held up and the ball ripped away from him. The ball was scooped up by a Wallingford player and in trying to haul him down Wycombe were penalised for a high tackle. Wallingford opted for a kick at goal from just outside the twenty-two, but the ball went wide.  After some Wallingford pressure Wycombe were awarded a scrum, another excellent backs move took play into the Wallingford twenty- two and the ball was fed out to Will Outten who was closed down by the scrambling defence and his pass back inside was intercepted by a defender and Wallingford cleared. A couple of penalties took play back into the Wycombe twenty-two and a Wallingford attack was halted by a knock on. Wycombe had a scrum just inside their twenty-two and decided to run the ball out of defence. A great side step from the ever-dangerous Jake Banton put him in behind the defence and he found James Outten outside of him but with one defender to beat some excellent defending managed to bundle him into touch. Wycombe weren’t finished yet and some excellent work over the ball secured the away team a penalty. This set up a lineout ten metres from the line and after securing the ball an excellent carry form Mike Fradgley forced Wallingford into conceding a penalty. Wycombe decided to go quickly but immediately knocked on and Wallingford cleared their line. With only minutes to go Wycombe were hoping to secure a well-deserved bonus point but a knock on presented the home team with a scrum inside the twenty-two. Some good continuity took play metres form the line and the away team were forced into conceding a penalty. With only seconds remaining Wallingford choose to take the easy kick at goal and run down the clock and deny Wycombe a bonus point. With the kick made the final whistle sounded.

Full time 23-15.

Overall a good performance from Wycombe against a well organised Wallingford side. Wycombe will be disappointed that they didn’t come away from the game with any points as their performance deserved something from the game. Next week a home game vs Aylesbury

Congratulations to the 2nds who kicked off 30mins earlier against Wallingford 2nds and ran out with a 36 -7 victory.