By Matt Lewis

With pre-season going well and excellent numbers at training the first game of the year was greeted with renewed optimism. The visitors for the opening game were Reading Abbey, Wycombe had lost both games against Abbey last season both in similar circumstances so were looking to put things right.

It was clear from the opening skirmishes that there wasn’t much between the two teams and this was going to be an evenly contested game. Wycombe had the first opportunity at points when Abbey were penalised for kicking the ball through a ruck, unfortunately Matt Wardle pushed his kick just wide of the post. The next twenty minutes were a little fragmented with both teams guilty of making mistakes. Wycombe were trying to play a more expansive game but a combination of some solid defence and inaccuracy meant it often broke down. Wycombe managed to secure good field position when some excellent improvisation saw Greg Butters kick a poorly passed ball forward and it found its way into touch ten metres short of the line. Abbey secured the lineout but some strong work in the ruck by Craig Murray forced Abbey into conceding a penalty. Matt Wardle kicked for touch and the lineout was secured. With Abbey repelling the rolling maul the ball was spun out to the backs but a knock on halted the attack. A good tackle from scrum half Toby Lane stopped the Abbey number eight in his tracks at the base of the scrum. Unfortunately, just as the Abbey scrum half and captain went to pick up the ball a strong counter ruck saw his ankle/knee get trapped and he had to leave the field with a nasty looking injury. The game restarted with a scrum and some excellent pressure forced the number eight to fumble the ball, Joff Forber was quick to seize the opportunity and kick the ball forward over the line but was held back in his attempt to dive on the bouncing ball and the referee awarded a penalty try 7-0.  Abbey responded well and put Wycombe under pressure with some heavy carries. Eventually the pressure told when from a scrum the Abbey inside centre ran hard deep into the twenty-two. The ball was kept tight and after several carries from the forwards they went over and scored on the stroke of half time, with the kick made 7-7.

Half Time 7-7

Wycombe started the second half strongly when some good carries from Greg Butters and Tom Catchpole put the home team on the front foot. With a penalty advantage a great line from captain Tom Boardman took him in behind the defence galloping towards the line. A good tackle brought him down and with no options on outside him Matt Wardle took three points with a drop goal, 10-7. Wycombe were penalised at the restart and this invited pressure but a knock on and then a penalty at the scrum allowed the home team to clear their lines. Another penalty for taking out the jumper at the lineout gave Wycombe good field position. An accurate throw allowed the forwards to carry hard and make inroads into the Abbey defence and another penalty in front of the posts allowed Matt Wardle to take the three points on offer, 13-7. Wycombe continued to press but an attack was soon halted when the Abbey number five looked to sustain a serious injury, fortunately it didn’t seem as bad a first feared as he was helped from the pitch. The game was restarted with a scrum and a strong carry form Alex Chitan (who was now playing number eight) put Wycombe on the front foot. The ball was fed out to debutant Rob Main whose marauding run took him up to the line, with Craig Murray in support he was able to pick up the ball and dive over the line to score with the kick made by Matt Wardle 20-7. If Wycombe thought the game was won, they were mistaken as a combination of strong Abbey play and Wycombe ill-discipline allowed the away team good field position. A penalty for taking back to the referee enabled Abbey to opt for a scrum five metres from the try line. With Joe Holloman on at prop the scrum held out well but after a couple of carries from the Abbey forwards they scored in the corner, the kick from the touchline was made 20-14. With the game in the balance an excellent up and under from Matt Wardle wasn’t taken cleanly by the fullback and Joff Forber kicked the ball towards the try line. Abbey managed to scramble back but sliced the clearing kick. Although Wycombe secured the lineout the ball was knocked on in midfield and Abbey were given the chance to clear the ball. A solid scrum allowed the number eight to pick up but some fantastic work from Alex Chitan in the ruck snaffled the ball back and then the away team were penalised for being offside. With the kick in front of the posts Matt Wardle took the three points 23-14. The restart was knocked on and then a penalty presented Abbey with a decision. They decided to take the three points to put them in bonus point territory and set up a tense last three minutes 23-17. A deep high hanging restart forced Abbey to clear their lines to flanker Joff Forber who fielded the ball on the halfway line. An excellent piece of footwork put him in behind the first line of defence, seeing a hole Joff showed an excellent turn of pace to sprint away from the opposition to score untouched under the posts, with Matt Wardle making the kick 30-17 and the final whistle sounded.

Full Time 30-17

An excellent performance for the first game of the season and shows the progress the team has made since last season. It was a close game and Abbey certainly weren’t helped by the number of injuries they sustained and will feel unlucky they didn’t come away with a point. As for Wycombe it was an excellent 18 man performance and a well deserved victory against good opposition. A special mention to Rob Main on his debut who only started playing rugby eight weeks ago after his switch from American football. Next week a trip to Stow-on-the-Wold.

Man of the Match

Joff Forber

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