Wycombe travelled to Ostler’s Field hoping to continue their good start to 2019 against Aylesbury. With only one place separating the two teams this was always going to be a closely contested game.

It was Wycombe who threatened first when a knock on gave the away team a scrum on the ten metre line. Some excellent continuity from the forwards and backs took play into the twenty-two and a break from Matt Wardle seemed certain to result in a try, but a last ditch tackle forced Matt into offloading the ball which didn’t go to hand, and the play broke down. Although Aylesbury cleared Wycombe continued to press but the accuracy of the last two games wasn’t there and the home team managed to survive. From a penalty for being offside in the midfield Aylesbury set up a lineout inside the twenty-two. An accurate throw enabled the home team to form a rolling maul which rumbled it’s way close to the line. After several carries the Aylesbury forwards went over to score, 7-0. Wycombe were struggling to find the form of the previous two weeks often finding themselves on the wrong side of the referee’s whistle and this was giving the home team good field position. With the Aylesbury lineout working well another penalty was kicked to touch just outside the twenty-two. An accurate throw enabled the home team to form an impressive maul which Wycombe had no answer too and went over to score, 12-0. With Aylesbury on top some impressive work by Henry Wyse at the breakdown gave the away team a penalty and an accurate kick from Matt Wardle gave Wycombe a lineout close to the line. With possession secured Aylesbury were penalised for a high tackle and Wycombe opted for a scrum. With the scrum going forward scrum half Toby Lane threw a long pass out to Ollie Wells who powered his way over to score, kick missed 12-5.

Half Time 12-5

A mistake from Wycombe at the start of the second half presented the home team with a scrum. With possession secured an accurate kick turned the Wycombe defence and a poor clearance was snaffled by the Aylesbury winger who made a break into the Wycombe twenty-two. He offloaded well and after some strong carries Aylesbury went over to score, 17-5.  Unforced errors weren’t helping Wycombe’s cause but strong work over the ball from Mike Fradgley gained the away team a penalty. Looking to up the tempo Toby Lane went quickly and threw an accurate pass to James Outten which put him in space, he drew the last defender and timed his pass to perfection to send Jake Banton over to score, kick missed 17-10. Wycombe were now playing with more freedom and an excellent backs move from inside their twenty-two took play close to the Aylesbury line but the last pass couldn’t be taken, and Aylesbury cleared. With ten minutes remaining Wycombe were awarded a penalty for Aylesbury not rolling away and Matt Wardle kicked the penalty close to the line. Although Wycombe secured the lineout the rolling maul was held up by Aylesbury and this was the last chance Wycombe had before the final whistle blew.

Full Time 17-10

This was a disappointing and scrappy performance from Wycombe who never really hit the heights of the last two games. Credit to Aylesbury who deserved their win, particularly their forwards who looked well organised. Wycombe looked to have the edge in the backs but couldn’t secure enough ball to utilise them.

Man of the Match

Henry Wyse

Was solid in the set piece and worked hard in the loose. In attack he carried strongly and in defence he tackled hard and was strong over the ball.