Sat 8 Jan 2022
Marlow 1st XV 18 – 12 High Wycombe 1st XV
Wycombe started the new year with the short journey to local rivals Marlow hoping to keep up their good form from 2021. In selection, a strong squad was announced but an injury to Harry Tanner and the unavailability of fly half Matt Wardle meant a reshaping of the backline.
It wasn’t the best of starts for the visitors, the kick-off didn’t go ten metres, so a scrum was awarded on the half-way line. From the scrum an accurate kick pinned Wycs close to their line, although they managed to clear the ball it didn’t make touch and provided the Marlow fullback space to run. Some good continuity enabled Marlow to carry the ball close to the try line but strong work over the ball from the forwards meant they were awarded a penalty. This set the tone for most of the first half, the home team used the strong breeze at their backs and kicked intelligently for territory. When Wycombe did secure possession, it was often deep inside their own twenty-two. Minutes later Wycombe found themselves behind, a well won lineout from Joff Forber was passed into midfield, the ball didn’t go to hand and was scooped up by the Marlow centre he passed out to the winger who handed off his opposite number and scored in the corner, 5-0. Wycs were immediately back under pressure from the kick-off. This time the kick went long and was fielded by the Marlow fifteen who cleared with the help of the wind to deep inside Wycombe territory. A messy lineout forced scrum half Mark Childerhouse to run into his own player and a penalty was awarded which was kicked 5 metres from the line. Wycombe defended well and stopped the rolling maul, the ball was feed out wide some strong tackles in midfield prevented the home team from scoring, but they were yet again penalised this time for not rolling away, Marlow took the three points on offer 8-0. Wycombe hadn’t got out of first gear and weren’t being helped by their own errors and the number of penalties they were conceding. What also didn’t help was the return of the rain which made conditions difficult. Having to defend for 30 minutes Wycombe had done well to only be 8-0 down. They finally managed to get on the front foot when a dropped ball in midfield was picked up by Ollie Fennel-Wells who made a break into the Marlow half. Unfortunately, his pass back inside was intercepted by the retreating defence, but Wycombe soon had the ball back when it came loose in the tackle. The ball was passed out to Joe Openshaw who intelligently kicked in behind forcing the Marlow winger to take the ball into touch. Following up his own kick Joe took a quick lineout to Dan Keir who made ground into the twenty-two. From the ruck the ball was fed to Zak Gregory who carried hard close to the line. Craig Murray picked up from the base broke a tackle and just reached out to score, kick missed 8-5. Wycombe finished the half strongly and Craig Murray had another opportunity to score but couldn’t hold onto the pass.
Half Time 8-5
Wycombe had done well to be just 8-5 down and now playing with the wind the hope was they would use this to pin the opposition into their own half, but this never materialised. The second half followed the same script as the first with Marlow enjoying most of the possession and territory and Wycombe falling foul of the referee’s whistle. The first part of the half was spent inside the Wycombe twenty-two, anytime the away team secured possession either an error or a penalty meant they couldn’t clear their lines. During this time the Marlow fly half missed several penalties to extend the lead. From another Marlow attack Wycombe were penalised again for a high tackle from James Shuck which set off some pushing and shoving. Once everything had calmed down the referee yellow carded James Shuck for the high tackle and Joff Forber for his roll in the melee with a Marlow player also receiving a yellow card. From the original penalty for the high tackle the Marlow fly half extended their lead 11-5. It wasn’t long until Wycombe were further behind when a strong break from the Marlow centre took him in behind the defence with just Ollie Brown to beat, he timed his pass well to enable Marlow to score under the posts 18-5.
With not long remaining in the game Wycombe were in danger of losing their record of securing a point in every game this season. Some strong work from the forwards and several pick and goes had put the away team into a good position. Eight metres from the line Ayrton Hooker picked up from the base and with a great leg drive and some help from the rest of the pack barged his way over the line, with James Shuck converting the extras 18-12. With seconds left Wycombe secured the kick-off but were bundled into touch and the game ended.
Full Time 18-12
To be fair Marlow deserved the victory and played the conditions better than Wycombe did. With a well drilled line-out, solid scrum and some intelligent kicking controlled most of the match. They will probably be disappointed not to win by more. As for Wycombe they never really got started and couldn’t impose themselves on the game. With the conditions the loss of Matt Wardle was a big blow. On the bright side they did well to keep in the game and continue the impressive stat of securing a point from every game this season.
Next week a home game against Milton Keynes
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