With the club celebrating it’s 90^th anniversary it was great to see so many past players and officials at the club, in particular guest of honour Nick Beal who played for the club before going on to represent England, I am sure everyone had a great afternoon and evening.

After last weeks emphatic victory against Stow Wycombe were hoping to continue their good form against 4^th placed Wallingford. With only a few changes in the forwards the home team were able to field the same potent backline that scored seven tries last week. Once again Wycombe started strongly and a break from the ever dangerous Jake Banton was only stopped by a high tackle and a great kick from Matt Wardle set up a lineout eight metres from the line. With possession secured the forwards used their power to rumble the ball close to the line where Mike Fradgley broke off to score, with Matt Wardle adding the extra points 7-0. Wycombe continued to apply the pressure with some accurate kicking pinning Wallingford inside their twenty-two.  A free kick for early engagement at a scrum was taken quickly by Toby Lane and some great hands in the backs by Ollie Wells and Tom Bosley put Jake Banton away to score, Matt Wardle slotted the kick 14-0. With the kick off going out on the full Wycombe were awarded a scrum and more good work from Jake Banton took play into the twenty-two. With quick ball fed out to the backs Ollie Wells glided through a gap and drew the last defender before passing to Tom Bosley to score, kick missed 19-0 with only eighteen minutes played. A period of play then ensued where both teams were at the wrong end of the referee’s whistle and Wycombe lost some continuity. Then not long before halftime a wayward clearing kick didn’t make touch and was fielded by fullback Tom Bosley. He threw a long pass out to Matt Wardle who broke threw a tackle to set up a counter attack, he was supported by Ollie Wells who made further inroads into the opposition twenty-two. With the defence scrambling back Ollie threw an intelligent pass back inside to Matt Wardle to score, kick missed 24-0.

Half Time 24-0

The second half started with Wallingford on the front and after conceding a penalty Wycombe found themselves defending their try line. Initially Wycombe defended well and won the ball back but a knock on presented the away team with a scrum five metres from the line. A strong Wallingford scrum inched its way towards the line where their number eight Ian Jeffreys picked up to score 24-5. Wycombe hit back in style when after a kicking dual Matt Wardle fielded the ball deep inside his own twenty two. He skipped around the on rushing defender and passed the ball to Jake Banton who used his pace to run the ball up to the halfway line where he passed the ball back inside to the supporting Ollie Wells and he moved the ball onto James Outten. This took play deep into the Wallingford half and an accurate pass from James Outten back to Jake Banton saw him score a length of the field try, Matt Wardle made the kick 31-5. From the kick-off Wycombe were surprisingly reduced to thirteen men when Tom Bosley received a yellow card for being offside and minutes later Alex Chitan was also shown a yellow card for an infringement at a ruck. This set up a period of Wallingford pressure, but credit to all the players as some committed tackling kept the away team out. After some strong play and still down to thirteen players Wycombe were awarded a penalty. In order to run the clock down they opted to kick at goal, unfortunately the kick was missed but then Wallingford’s twenty-two drop out went straight into touch. Now back to fifteen players Wycombe opted for the lineout which was won and rumbled close to the line where Zach Gregory was brought down. The ball was whisked out to the backs where more accurate passing sent Tom Bosley over the line to score, kick made 38-5.

Wycombe couldn’t take the kick off and Wallingford came away with possession and a break saw them carry the ball into the Wycombe twenty-two. Wycombe then received another yellow card when Tony Flore was penalised for hands in the ruck. Looking to up the tempo Wallingford ran the ball but more solid defence forced a knock-on and the ball was cleared. A strong carry from Mike Fradgley set up Wycombe’s final attack and with Wallingford’s defence not set Matt Wardle spotted a gap down the blindside and went over to score in the corner 43-5.

Final Score 43-5

This was another excellent performance against a strong Wallingford side. The forwards worked hard all game, were solid in the set piece and presented the backs with good front foot ball. The backs yet again looked dangerous every time they got the ball running in six tries.

Man of the Match

Musa Umar

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An all-round dynamic display from the flanker who was everywhere on the pitch. He turned over the ball numerous times and never missed a tackle.  In attack he was always in support and linked play well.