Sat 7 Dec 2019
High Wycombe 1st XV 20 – 25 Marlow 1st XV
by Matt Lewis
Wycombe welcomed local rivals Marlow to Kingsmead for the first derby of the season. In selection, Wycombe were able to welcome back Ayrton Hooker, Jake Cockram, Craig Murray and Lewey Newton but were still missing a number of first team regulars. With similar records and fourth and fifth in the league this had the makings of a tight affair.
It was Wycombe who struck first, some strong carries from Harry Tanner and Tom Boardman took play up to the twenty-two but unfortunately a knock on halted the attack. A great scrum pushed Marlow off the ball and number eight Craig Murray picked up from the base of the scrum and made hard yards. The away team were penalised for offside at the ruck and this allowed Billy Bickford to take the three points 3-0. Marlow hit back immediately when Wycombe were penalised at the kick-off and an accurate long range kick levelled up the scores 3-3. More good work at the scrum forced the Marlow number eight to pick up the ball under pressure inside his twenty-two. Strong work by the back row managed to hold him up and the home team were awarded the scrum. Wycombe were now on the front foot and some strong carries took the play close to the line, with a penalty advantage Billy Bickford slotted a drop goal 6-3. The game was swinging one way then the other and a Wycombe knock on presented Marlow with the ball which they carried into the twenty-two. A penalty was kicked to touch, and an accurate lineout throw set up a maul which the home team brought down illegally. A quick tap caught the defence napping and Marlow went over to score, 6-8. Wycombe upped their game and a fantastic break from centre Tom Bosley was only stopped by a last ditch tackle. A penalty was awarded for offside and captain Tom Boardman opted for a scrum. A solid scrum was fed to the backs and two half breaks took play close to the line where Craig Murray picked up and dived over the line to score, kick made 13-8. Good continuity from Marlow forced Wycombe to defend and eventually they gave away a penalty, another good kick closed the gap once again 13-11. Just before the break Wycombe extended their lead when a fantastic kick from full back Toby Payne forced Marlow back to their five metre line. The clearing kick was fielded by Tom Bosley who took play into the twenty-two and a strong break by prop Jake Cockram took play up to the line. Again, Craig Murray showed his strength to pick up and score another close range try, Billy made the kick 20-11.
Half Time 20-11
Wycombe deservedly led at half time but again struggled in the second half. Individual mistakes, unforced errors and the referee’s whistle meant the home team couldn’t replicate their form of the first half. Marlow upped their tempo and two penalties in quick succession pinned the home back deep in their half. Wycombe manged to thwart the rolling maul from the lineout but a piercing running line from George Jafari enabled him to crash over the line, kick good 20-18. Wycombe were defending well but with the lineout under pressure were struggling to capitalise on any field position. Billy Bickford had a difficult penalty attempt which he pushed just wide. The defining moment came with about ten minutes to go, with the play in midfield a Marlow player appeared to knock the ball on. The referee didn’t see this, and play continued as the ball was hacked forward and over the try line fortunately a Wycombe hand managed to get to the ball first. A long restart was gathered on the halfway line by Marlow’s George Jafari, he spotted a gap in midfield and powered through a tackle. Once in behind the defence he angled his run to go over and score an excellent solo try, kick made 20-25. With not long left Wycombe tried to reply but Marlow defended resolutely, and the home team couldn’t create anything, and the game ended 20-25.
Full Time 20-25
Overall this was probably a fair result, Wycombe played well in the first half but tired and Marlow were the better team after the break. Although a defeat it’s good to see so many youngsters playing and developing in the first team. Next week a trip to Reading before the Christmas break.
