By Matt Lewis

Despite a hat-trick of tries from Matt Wardle High Wycombe slipped to their first defeat in four games away at Reading. The afternoon had started well for the away team when a knock on by Reading was hacked forward and a good chase and tackle by Ollie-Fennell-Wells forced the home team into conceding a penalty, Matt Wardle kicked the three points 0-3. Wycombe went further ahead when a great turn over form Josh Hall presented the away team with possession in the Reading half. Excellent carries from Alex Chitan and Ayrton Hooker took play into the twenty-two and with quick ball a good line from Joff Forber saw him beat a couple of defenders to score, with the kick good 0-10. Unfortunately, Wycombe couldn’t gather the restart and Reading were quickly on the front foot, with the home team carrying hard Wycombe were penalised for a high tackle. This set up a period of play with Wycombe defending their line and for a few minutes they kept the home team at bay but eventually the pressure told, and Reading scored 7-10. Wycombe were dealt a blow when they lost Osian Lewis and he was replaced by Mitch Green. Reading were enjoying most of the possession and from a clearing kick the Reading fullback gathered the ball just outside his twenty-two. A combination of poor tackling and strong running allowed the Reading player to run the ball back deep into the Wycombe twenty-two with only a knock-on halting play. Wycombe were penalised at the scrum and Reading opted for a scrum of their own, with front ball Reading capitalised and scored 14-10. The away team hit back after stealing a Reading lineout a strong carry from Ollie Fennell-Wells took play close to the Reading line. With the defence scrambling back Matt Wardle spotting a gap and had the strength to score, 14-15. Just before half time Wycombe were penalised for being offside but with the kick missed the away team went into half time with a 1 point advantage.

Half Time 14-15

From the kick-off the ball was allowed to bounce, and it fortuitously fell into the hands of a Reading player who made a break into the Wycombe twenty-two. Some good defence managed to rip the ball back, but in trying to clear the ball the was charged down and back into the hands of a Reading player. Wycombe were penalised at the ruck and the home team took the scrum. From the scrum the Reading number eight picked up and carried over the line to score 15-21. Wycombe showed good character to hit back once again and from several Reading infringements set up a lineout close to the try line. With the lineout secured Wycombe carried hard and inched their way towards the line. With the ball fed out to the backs Matt Wardle ran hard and went over to score 20-21. Once again Reading extended their lead when from a solid scrum their number eight once again went over to score 20-28. Wycombe’s cause wasn’t helped when Tom Catchpole received a yellow card and from a scrum Reading scored again when a missed tackle allowed their centre to cross the line 35-20. It was Reading’s turn to be on the wrong side of the referee’s whistle and two yellow cards in quick succession saw them down to 13 men. Wycombe took advantage of this and upped the tempo which resulted in Matt Wardle scoring his third try and Wycombe’s fourth 35-25. With only minutes to go Reading were awarded a penalty which they kicked to take the score out to 38-25. To their credit Wycombe never gave up and in the last play of the game some good continuity enabled Tom Bosley to go over and score. Unfortunately, Matt Wardle’s difficult conversion hit the post to deny Wycombe another bonus point, 38-30.

Full Time 38-30

Overall a disappointing performance with Reading deserving their victory and they were clearly up for the game. Wycombe did well to keep in touch and were unlucky not to get two points but must cut out the errors if they are going to get back to winning ways.

Next match 15^th Dec – Reading Abbey - Home

Man of the Match

Matthew Wardell

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