Sat 4 Jan 2020
High Wycombe RFC 27 – 0 Stow on the Wold RFC
High Wycombe returned to league action after the Christmas break with a home game against Stow on the Wold. In selection, Wycombe were able to welcome back Alex Chitan, Zak Gregory, Matt Wardle, Ollie Fennell-Wells and returning to the club was Mark Childerhouse.
Wycombe started strongly and some fine work from the backs took play into the Stow twenty-two. A couple of penalties against the away team set up a lineout five metres from the line. The ball was fed out to Ayrton Hooker who carried hard but strong tackling and excellent work over the ball by the Stow defence earned the away team a penalty. With the Stow lineout struggling the home team soon had possession of ball and strong work from the forwards took play into the twenty-two. Quick hands from Zak Gregory fed the ball out to Jake Banton who found himself on the wing and with little space to work he beat his man to score in the corner, kick missed 5-0. Wycombe secured the kick-off and a fantastic clearing kick from Matt Wardle took play back inside the opposition twenty two. With the Stow line out not straight Wycombe opted for a scrum. A solid scrum was moved out to the backs where some good hands from Ollie Fennell-Wells and Billy Bickford put Alex Barnard away to score in the corner, kick missed 10-0. More accurate kicking from Matt Wardle took play back into the Stow twenty two. Stow managed to win their lineout and a strong carry from the fullback burst through a tackle and into the Wycombe half. This set up a period of Stow pressure with the home team conceding two penalties, but some superb defence meant Wycombe held out. With Matt Wardle seemingly able to find the gaps at will another booming kick pinned the away team inside their twenty. Stow managed to clear their lines and the kick was gathered by Matt Bosley on the halfway line. He passed the ball inside to number eight Zak Gregory who charged into the opposition defence. This set up quick ball which was fed out to Jake Banton who passed two defenders with ease and intelligently passed the ball back inside to Matt Bosley to score, 15-0.
Half Time 15-0
Wycombe started the second half strongly and were immediately awarded a penalty when a fantastic counter ruck from Jake Cockram forced the Stow players to go off their feet at the ruck. The penalty was kicked to touch and although the lineout was scrappy Wycombe secured possession after several phases of play Captain Tom Boardman bulldozed his way over the line to score 20-0. The next thirty minutes was a disjointed affair, Wycombe’s intensity dropped and although they made several breaks inaccuracies meant these came to nothing. Stow enjoyed good field position and with the home team conceding needless penalties invited pressure. It was from a Wycombe mistake that Stow came close to scoring. A wayward pass in midfield was hacked forward by Stow and with the ball bouncing close to the line Stow were penalised. Wycombe hit back when an overthrown Stow lineout was gathered at the tail by Zak Gregory, he rampaged his way close to the Stow line before being hauled down. Unfortunately, with the ball recycled out to the backs Wycombe were penalised for holding on and Stow cleared their lines. In the dying seconds of the game Wycombe were awarded a penalty which was kicked to touch. With the lineout won, the forwards set up a rolling maul which Stow defended well, so Ayrton Hooker broke off and forced his way over the line to score, with the kick good, the final whistle sounded, 27-0.
Full Time 27-0
Overall a solid performance from Wycombe and a good win. The front row were again excellent in the set piece and Alex Chitan and Dan Keir tackled their hearts out. There are still things to work on and Wycombe will be disappointed with some of the decision making as they could and should off scored more points. Next week away to Wallingford.
Man of the Match –This was a difficult decision, so we asked the Stow head coach to choose.
Jake Banton – Outside Centre – Always a threat with ball in hand, quality try beating a player with a postage stamp amount of space and excellent in defence.
