High Wycombe Rugby Club

Wallingford 1^st XV 6 – 12 High Wycombe 1^st XV

Wycombe were hoping to build on their solid victory last week when they travelled to Hithercroft to take on Wallingford. In selection, Wycombe were able to field another strong side with only three changes. Back into the team came Craig Murray, Lewey Newton and with Coach Ty Sterry deciding to take two backs Tom Price made way for Toby Payne. With Wallingford also having a near fully fit squad this had the makings of a close game.

With a strong wind at their backs Wycombe started on the front foot and a bullocking run from Ayrton Hooker broke through the Wallingford defence and took play into the opposition half. A well weighted kick from Matt Wardle turned the defence and a good kick chase forced the home team into conceding a penalty. A Wallingford hand managed to disrupt the lineout, but it was carried over the try line and a scrum was awarded. Wycombe were penalised at the scrum, but the resulting free kick was sliced into midfield and snaffled by the forwards. The ball was moved out to the backs and a powerful run by centre Ollie Fennell-Wells saw him brush off two tackles round the full back to score an excellent solo try, the kick was missed 0-5. The visitors were soon on the attack again when a long range Matt Wardle clearance bounced into the Wallingford twenty-two. Although the home team won their lineout a knock on in midfield presented the ball back. A solid scrum was spun out to the backs and only a deliberate knock on from the Wallingford’s number thirteen stopped the attack for which he received a yellow card. Captain Tom Boardman opted for a scrum and a great shove from the pack enabled Craig Murray to pick the ball but some stout defence from the Wallingford back row held him up over the line. A better Wallingford scrum forced Mark Childerhouse to use the ball and after a couple of phases more robust defending forced Wycombe into conceding a penalty for holding on. After a strong start unforced errors started creeping into the Wycombe game, this allowed the home team to gain a foothold in the match and only resolute defending from all fifteen players kept Wallingford from scoring. Wycombe’s best chance was when Ollie Fennell-Wells made a break from inside his twenty-two but with only the fullback to beat his pass to Jake Banton didn’t go to hand. Wallingford gathered the bouncing ball and ran down the touchline deep into the twenty-two and only a fantastic Lewey Newton tackle stopped them from scoring. With ten minutes to go Wycombe continued to struggle to get out of their half and anytime they did they were penalised by the referee, Wallingford looked dangerous in attack, but solid defending ensured a 0-5 lead at half time.

Half Time 0-5

With the strong wind now at Wallingford’s backs a 5 point advantage didn’t feel like it was enough. Wycombe started brightly and two Jake Banton breaks took play over the halfway line but each time the offload didn’t go to hand handing possession back to the home team. A long raking kick pinned Wycombe back inside their own twenty two and a knock on presented Wallingford with a scrum. With the ball spun out to the backs more robust defending in midfield forced the ball loose, this was picked up by Jake Banton who had the length of the field at his mercy. He pinned his ears back but some excellent covering defence by the Wallingford winger caught him on the twenty-two and the home team regained the ball. More accurate kicking forced Wycombe back into their half and when Mark Childerhouse was penalised at a scrum for being offside this allowed the Wallingford fullback to take the three points 3-5. Wycombe gathered the restart and after a small break from Jake Banton kicked the ball away. This was carried back by Wallingford who kicked the ball away with it bouncing over the dead ball line Wycombe were awarded a scrum back on the halfway line. Quick ball from the scrum was fed out to Billy Bickford with the defence seemingly parting Billy galloped through the gap and with the full back to beat passed the ball back inside to the supporting Ollie Fennell-Wells who had the pace to go over and score, Billy Bickford made the kick 3-12. Straight from the kick-off Joff Forber secured the ball and handed off three defenders to take the ball up to the twenty two. He offloaded to Craig Murray and then to Alex Chitan. With quick ball and Wallingford scrambling back the referee found himself in the way of the ball and a scrum was awarded. Wycombe lost their own scrum and were pinned back in their own half. Wallingford continued to press but Wycombe’s defence held firm and were awarded a penalty at a ruck. Joff Forber took it quickly but was deliberately tripped by a Wallingford player who received a yellow card.  It wasn’t long before the visitors were back defending in their twenty two. An intelligent kick forced Matt Wardle to field the ball close to the line and he was bundled into touch. More forceful defending forced Wallingford back towards the twenty-two but again Wycombe were penalised, and this allowed the Wallingford fullback to take the points, 6-12. With about ten minutes to go the game could off gone either way and Wycombe were pushed back into their twenty two. Wallingford threw everything they had at the visitors but more fantastic defending by all 15 players kept them from crossing the line and Wycombe came away with a hard fought 6-12 victory.

Full Time 6-12

This was an absorbing game of rugby between two good teams. Wallingford will feel that with all the possession and territory they had they should off won the game. As for Wycombe they still need to cut out the unforced errors but took their chances when they arose. A special mention to the defence which was heroic all afternoon to keep Wallingford from scoring a try.

Next week a tough home game against unbeaten and league leaders Witney.

MOM – Liam Dudley – Was always available to carry the ball all afternoon and made the hard yards. Defended strongly making hit after hit, his best performance of the season.