Sat 27 Nov 2021
Thatcham 1st XV 18 – 41 High Wycombe 1st XV
After last week’s defeat to the impressive Stow, Wycombe were looking to bounce back against Thatcham. In selection, Wycombe were able to welcome back Craig Murray and Joff Forber to bolster the pack. With storm Arwen sweeping the country the wind was also going to be a big factor in the game. Wycs were playing into this wind in the first half and struggled to get territory. It was Thatcham who opened the scoring when some strong work from their forwards allowed them to smuggle the ball over the line 7-0. More inaccuracy from the away team allowed Thatcham to extend their lead with a penalty in front of the posts 10-0. From the restart great work over the ball from Joe Holloman earned a penalty which was expertly kicked close to the line by Matt Wardle. A well won lineout rumbled its way over the line but the ball was held up, with Thatcham doing so illegally a penalty try was awarded and a yellow card issued 10-7. On the stroke of half time Wycombe took the lead with the best try of the match. A turnover inside Wycombe’s twenty-two was passed through the hands to Greg Butters who made a break into the Thatcham half he offloaded to Matt Wardle who drew the last defender and passed back to Greg who had the gas to score in the corner 10-12.
Half Time 10-12
The second started well when Matt Wardle’s kick off was knocked on, a solid scrum enabled Greg Butters to carry close to the line from the ruck Craig Murray picked up and barrelled his way over the line 10-17. Some needless penalties allowed Thatcham to cut the deficit with a penalty 13-17. Wycombe’s bonus point try came with a degree of fortune, with the ball inside the twenty-two a wayward pass was kicked over the line by Matt Wardle with Thatcham seemingly favourite to touch the ball down a wicked bounce enabled James Roach to touch the ball down 13-24. Immediately from the kick-off a great take from Ayrton Hooker set up a ruck, spotting that no guards were in place Craig Murray picked up and broke into the Thatcham half, he offloaded to Joff Forber who broke several tackles to go over and score 13-31. Not to be out done Ayrton got himself on the scoresheet when he picked up from the base of a ruck and powered his way over from 10 metres out 13-36. Credit to Thatcham who never gave up and managed to hit back and score with ten minutes remaining 18-36. With Thatcham now running everything Wycombe turned over the ball deep inside the Thatcham half and some good hands put fullback Ollie Brown away to score 18-41.
A solid performance in very difficult conditions, the only downside was a late injury to Craig Murray. Next week a home game against Aylesbury and there's a chicken lunch available but you will need to prebook from secretary@hwrufc.com (£10 a head for a 2 course lunch).
Matt Lewis
