Sat 30 Oct 2021
Bicester 1st XV 24 – 41 High Wycombe 1st XV
Wycombe return to winning ways
A dominant forwards display ensured Wycombe came away with a hard-fought victory against Bicester. In selection, Wycombe were able to travel with a fairly settled side welcoming back Craig Murray and Dan Keir.
Playing up the slope and into a stiff breeze Wycombe struggled for territory in the opening exchanges and did well to keep the game scoreless. From a scrum Bicester eventually took the lead when some good continuity enabled their forwards to pick and go then cross the line 5-0. Wycombe slowly worked their way into the game and some good work from the backs put James Shuck into space, a strong run took him close to the line until he was bundled into touch. Excellent pressure on the clearance meant it didn’t find touch Wycombe ran the ball back and a Joe Openshaw kick found its way into touch six metres form the try line. Bicester were penalised at the lineout for dummying the throw and a scrum was called for. An excellent scrum marched the home team backwards, number eight Zak Gregory picked up the ball but was held up over the line. From the goal line drop out the home team were penalised, and Wycombe opted for another scrum ten metres from the line. This time the Wycombe eight made no mistake and shunted the home pack over their line with Zak Gregory scoring, 5-5. With only minutes remaining this wasn’t the end of the scoring. A great turn over from Aryton Hooker enabled Wycombe to break into the twenty-two, strong carries from Craig Murray and Joff Forber took play close to the line and quick ball released James Shuck to score 5-10.
Half Time 5-10
Straight from the kick-off Wycombe were on the front foot and a penalty for an off the ball incident took play into the Bicester twenty-two. Quick ball from the lineout and some slick hands from the backs put Joe Openshaw away who looked like he had scored in the corner. With the referee some distance away, he decided to give an attacking five metre scrum. More powerful work at the scrum ensured another push over try was scored with Zak Gregory picking up his second try, James Shuck added the extras 5-17. Bicester hit back and after some good work from both their forwards and backs Matt Wardle was yellow carded for a deliberate knock on in midfield. With only fourteen men Wycombe continued to pressure the home team, from a turnover an intelligent kick from Joff Forber pinned Bicester inside their twenty-two. Having won the lineout a great tackle in midfield forced Bicester to spill the ball, it was pounced on by Tom Boardman who carried hard towards the line, and he offloaded to Joe Holloman who dived over the line to score 5-24. More good work at the break down gave the away team another penalty which was taken quickly and passed down the line to Matt Wardle who dummied his defender and went over in the corner to score 5-31. Not to be deterred Bicester hit back when a penalty gave them good field position and some strong work from the forwards and backs allowed them to score 10-31. The play was now end to end and from the kick-off strong work at the breakdown gave Wycombe a penalty on the twenty-two. This was taken quickly by Joff Forber who brushed off several tackles to power his way over the line to score 10-36. The game was becoming a tetchy affair with both teams losing a man to the bin after a scuffle broke out. A free kick was awarded to Bicester who ran the ball, poor Wycombe tackling let them in to score 17-36. Wycombe’s last score was arguably their best try of the game, a well won lineout was spun out through the hands of the backs and this time Joe Openshaw did score in the corner 17-41. Wycombe knocked on the restart and presented possession to Bicester who worked the ball well to score 24-41.
Final Score 24-41
This was an excellent and well-deserved victory built around a dominant forward display, the only downside was losing Captain Mike Fradgley to a calf injury. Next week another away fixture against Wallingford.
Matt!
