Sat 7 Mar 2020
High Wycombe RFC 85 – 0 Didcot RFC
High Wycombe maintained their good form in 2020 and moved up to fourth in the table with a solid victory over Didcot at Kingsmead. In selection, the men in Green were able to field a strong squad welcoming back Ayrton Harold, Dan Keir and Craig Murray.
It took Wycombe just three minutes to crash over with the opening try when Billy Bickford scored off the back of a strong scrum, with Toby Payne adding the extra’s 7-0. The home side struck again when a probing Toby Payne kick forced Didcot to carry the ball over the touch line close to their own line. A well worked lineout enabled captain Tom Boardman to rumble over and score the first of his three tries, kick missed 12-0. From successive penalties Didcot earned themselves a lineout close to the Wycombe line. An accurate lineout won the ball and although their forwards carried hard, they couldn’t break through the home team’s defence and strong work over the ball from Sean Tolhurst earned Wycombe a penalty. This was taken straight away and quick hands from Tom Bosley shipped the ball out to Jake Banton, he kicked the ball back inside to Billy Bickford who kicked the ball over the line only to miss the ball and a Didcot hand got to it first. A strong Wycombe scrum forced the ball to pop out of the back and the ever alert Mark Childerhouse fell on the ball to score, Toby Payne added the two points 19-0. An overthrown lineout presented Wycombe with their next opportunity which was snaffled by Tom Boardman. He intelligently moved the ball out to prop Henry Wyse who made a break deep into the twenty-two. With quick ball the ball was moved through the hands to Craig Murray who bulldozed his way over the line to score, Toby Payne added the two points 26-0. The home team extended their lead straight from the kick-off when Craig Murray galloped untouched into the opposition half, he offloaded to Mike Fradgley whose audacious pass found Billy Bickford he in turn put Jake Banton away to score under the post 33-0. On the stroke of half time Jake Banton struck again to give the home team a 40-0 lead at half time.
Half Time 40-0
The second half started with Didcot carrying well but a knock on gave the men in green a scrum on the halfway line. A slick backs move put Jake Banton away who drew the last defender and put Tom Bosley in to score 47-0. The home team continued to play good rugby and were on the score sheet again when a powerful scrum forced the ball to pop out of the scrum, Mark Childerhouse was the first to react and scoop up the ball and dive over the line to score 52-0. Tom Boardman got his second of the afternoon from another well worked lineout move and was put away by Dan Keir 57-0. Three quick tries from Liam Dudley, Jake Banton and then Tom Boardman’s third of the afternoon extended Wycombe’s lead to 78-0. Didcot never gave up and some good work by their forwards looked to have given them a consolation try but the referee couldn’t see the ball grounded and adjudged the ball was held up. From the scrum Wycombe pushed Didcot off the ball and Billy Bickford cleared his lines. In the final play of the game Didcot were still pressing but a long pass was intercepted by Jake Banton who ran half the length of the pitch to score his fourth try of the afternoon 85-0.
Full Time 85-0
This was an excellent 18 man performance from Wycombe who ran in 13 tries. It shows with a strong squad and the right conditions what Wycombe are capable of. Although it was a tough afternoon for Didcot, they were unlucky not to be awarded a try in the second half and never gave up.
MoM – Tom Boardman – He scored three tries and was everywhere on the pitch always available to carry the ball. He led from the front and when called upon was strong in defence.
