Sat 23 Oct 2021
High Wycombe 1st XV 26 – 29 Reading 1st XV
Wycombe slip to a narrow defeat
High Wycombe were once again involved in another entertaining game of rugby. Despite producing their best performance of the season, they could not come away with a win.
Whatever head coach Mark Barry says or does just before kick-off once again worked as the home team started strongly and soon found themselves in an early lead. A strong carry from Aryton Hooker gave the home team good field position, a penalty for offside was kicked to touch by Matt Wardle. An accurate lineout was secured by Joff Forber, and the forwards used their muscle to rumble over with Zak Gregory touching down, James Shuck added the extras 7-0. It was not long until they extended their lead with a sublime piece of skill from Matt Wardle. After some strong defence the away team were once again penalised this time for holding on. This took play into the Reading half; another precise Matt Wardle kick in behind their back line took play ten metres out. Reading won their lineout and cleared the ball which was gathered on the ten-metre line by Wardle. He dummied the on rushing defence and took the ball up to the twenty-two. With the defence closing in on him he chipped the ball in behind and managed to regather it just short of the line, knowing that he would be forced into touch he flicked the ball behind his back into the path of James Shuck who went over to score 12-0. Reading hit back with three points when from the kick -off Wycombe were penalised for holding on which presented a kick straight in front of the posts 12-3. Not long after the home team were dealt another blow when Elliott Hearne was yellow carded for a late tackle. Things got worse when from the resulting lineout the Reading number eight went through a big hole in midfield and took play deep into the twenty-two. Wycombe were penalised and the penalty was kicked to touch, from the lineout the Reading forwards went over to score 12-8. Wycombe gained good field position when an excellent 50/22 kick from Matt Wardle gave the home team a lineout inside the twenty-two. Although a knock on halted the attack the clearing kick from the scrum was well fielded and Reading were penalised at the breakdown. Unfortunately, the kick from in front of the posts was pushed wide. In the dying embers of the half after some sustained Reading pressure Zak Gregory was sent to the bin and the away team opted for a scrum five metres out. With only seven in the Wycombe scrum Reading started to edge towards the line and when it collapsed a penalty try was awarded 12-15.
Half time 12-15
It was Reading who extended their lead at the start of the second half when from a scrum their winger cut back and evaded several Wycombe tackles to score 12-22. From being 12 points up to now 10 points down the game could off got away from the home team, but they showed good character to get back into the match and score next. From a line out on the halfway line a strong carry from centre Charlie Collett took play up to the twenty-two he offloaded to James Shuck who still had plenty to do. He beat two defenders and just managed to stay in the field of play and scored an excellent try in the corner, he converted the extra points from the touchline 19-22. The home team were now in the ascendency and after some strong work from the forwards the home team manufactured an overlap metres from the Reading line unfortunately, the last pass wasn’t held, and Reading were given a reprieve. Not to be deterred Wycombe continued to press and after seven plus phases Matt Wardle made a break in behind the defence and nicely offloaded to the supporting James Shuck to score with the kick made 26-22. With 5 minutes remaining, could Wycombe hold on this week? The answer was no; Reading were handed field position when Elliott Hearne was penalised at the ruck when he seemed to have won the ball fairly. From the lineout the away team went wide and managed to score in the corner, an excellent kick from the touchline was made 26-29.
Final Score 26-29
This was a very entertaining game of rugby which swung one way and the other and could have gone either way. Congratulations to Reading on the win, as for Wycombe this was by far their best performance of the season so far and if they continue to play like this the wins will not be far away.
