Sat 9 Mar 2019, 14:30
By Matt Lewis
Wycombe could not back up last weeks emphatic victory as they were well beaten by a strong Marlow side. It was an even start to the game but with a strong wind in the away team’s favour it was important Wycombe used this to their advantage. Unfortunately, Marlow had other ideas and from a lineout on the Wycombe twenty-two they set up a rolling maul. Eventually the ball was fed out to the backs and after some good continuity they went over in the corner to score, 5-0
Straight from the kick off Marlow scored again when their fly half broke through a tackle. This put him in behind the Wycombe defence, he showed great pace to run away from the covering defenders and run the length of the pitch to score 12-0. A knock on gave Wycombe the chance to launch an attack and some strong carries took play five metres from the line. With an overlap on the outside the Marlow number 10 shot out of the line anticipating a long pass and managed to intercept the ball and sprint the length of the pitch to score 19-0. With three tries in quick succession Wycombe were now chasing the game and some excellent work from Harry Tanner put Wycombe on the front foot and an intelligent kick pinned Marlow deep in their twenty-two. Harry followed up his kick with a strong tackle but couldn’t prevent the offload and the Marlow fullback broke through two tackles to get in behind the defence, two passes later Marlow had again run the length of the field to score 24-0
Half Time 24-0
Wycombe started the second half strongly and a deliberate knock on by the Marlow winger saw the home side reduced to 14 players, but Wycombe couldn’t make the advantage pay. It was Marlow who got on the score sheet when a promising Wycombe attack broke down with an errant offload and Marlow scooped up the ball and broke free from the halfway line to score 31-0. Another intercept try from inside their own this time from the Marlow flanker increased the score further 38-0. Marlow’s final try was probably their best when a clever inside ball to the Marlow winger put him through a large hole and under the posts 45-0. Credit to Wycombe who never gave up and a had the final say in the match. A strong carry from Craig Murray attracted two defenders, a fantastic out the back offload found Tom Catchpole on the twenty-two and close to the touch line. He had plenty to do but showed great strength and balance to go over and score, 45-5.
Full Time 45-5
Congratulations to Marlow who put in a strong performance and deserved their victory. Wycombe will be disappointed that they gifted the home team a lot of their points and now have two weeks to put things right when they face Reading at home on 23rd March.
