Sat 23 Nov 2019
Hyperlin
High Wycombe 1st XV 10 – 3 Shipston on Stour 1st XV
High Wycombe continued their good form with a hard fought victory over third placed Shipston who were unbeaten in their last seven games. In selection, Wycombe kept faith with many of the young players who did so well at Didcot but were able to welcome back Ollie Fennell-Wells, Toby Disbury, Lewis Davenport and the returning Zak Gregory.
It was evident from the kick-off that this was going to be a close contest and the first half presented very few chances. It was the home team who threatened first when an accurate Billy Bickford kick pinned Shipston in their own half. A good tackle from Mike Fradgley allowed Ayrton Hooker to get over the ball and win the penalty. Unfortunately, Billy Bickford’s kick at goal went just wide. Most of the first half was played between the twenty twos with the home team enjoying much of the possession. Strong carries from both Jake Cockram and Jamie Vowles put Wycombe on the front foot but a combination of poor execution and unforced errors meant these good positions came to nothing and the half came to an end with no score.
Half Time 0-0
The second half started with Wycombe on the front foot, a strong scrum pushed Shipston off their own ball and a penalty for hands in the ruck gave the home team a lineout just outside the twenty-two. An accurate lineout was fed out to the backs, another infringement at the ruck gave Billy Bickford another chance at three points and this time he duly obliged to give Wycombe a 3-0 lead. Some intelligent kicking from fly half Billy Bickford trapped the away team inside their own half and a high tackle reduced Shipston to fourteen players. This presented Billy with a long range penalty kick which he put just wide. A penalty for taking out a player without the ball gave Shipston field position and a strong rolling maul from the lineout took play deep into the twenty-two. Wycombe were penalised for pulling the maul down, giving Shipston a penalty straight in front of the post and they took the points, 3-3. Shortly after the kick-off it was Wycombe’s turn to be reduced to fourteen players when Ollie Fennell-Wells received a yellow card for going off his feet at a ruck. Shipston upped the tempo and another strong maul put them on the front foot. Looking to use their man advantage the ball was moved wide and only a fantastic tackle from Osian Lewis prevented a try being scored. With under five minutes remaining some excellent defence in midfield forced the ball loose and this was hacked down field. Shipston scrambled back but only managed to slice their clearance. Wycombe kept up the pressure and, from a scrum just outside the twenty-two, number eight Zak Gregory picked up from the base. A powerful run down the blindside saw him swat off several defenders and it looked like he had scored but the referee disagreed and gave a knock on. A forceful scrum put the Shipston fly half under pressure and his kick was charged down. The referee awarded an attacking scrum and more muscular work from the forwards marched the scrum forward to allow number eight Zak Gregory to score, Billy Bickford made the kick 10-3 and the final whistle sounded.
