Sat 15 Jan 2022
After last week’s disappointing defeat to Marlow, Wycombe were looking for an improved performance against Milton Keynes. In selection, into the squad came George Elliot, James Roach, Clinton Woodley, Josh Bromage, Will Outten and Ieuan Mainwaring for his debut. With Matt Wardle injured James Roach stepped up to play his first ever game at fly half.
Wycombe started strongly and nearly opened the scoring when Milton Keynes dropped the ball in midfield. It was hacked forward by Ieuan Mainwaring who followed up well and kicked the ball over the line and looked like he had won the race to touch the ball down, but a Milton Keynes hand beat him to it and a goal line drop out was awarded. From the kick, Zak Gregory gathered the ball and carried hard back into the twenty-two and Wycombe were awarded a penalty at the ruck. Unfortunately, the resulting kick at goal was pushed wide and the game remained scoreless. From the restart more powerful carries from Zak and Craig brought Wycombe into the twenty-two and a break from Harry Tanner took the ball close to the line. In trying to turn over the ball Milton Keynes knocked on. A solid scrum allowed Zak Gregory to pick up from the base, but he was just stopped short of the line. Craig Murray was first to the breakdown, and he snaffled the ball and barged his way over the line to score, kick missed 5-0.
Wycombe had started brightly but couldn’t secure the restart and it was knocked into touch. This gave the away team field position and some good continuity from both forwards and backs forced Wycombe to defend and eventually carry the ball over their own line. From the scrum the Milton Keynes number eight picked up and passed to the supporting scrum half who broke a tackle to go over and score 5-7. Wycombe hit back when some quick hands in midfield allowed Ieuan Mainwaring to make a break down the right ring. The ball was recycled and moved out to the backs where number eight Zak Gregory found himself in the centres he straightened well and carried the ball deep into the opposition half. With the supporting players clearing the ruck the ball was moved out wide where an overlap allowed Greg Butters to score in the corner, 10-7. Wycombe looked to extend their lead after a good kick from Joe Openshaw pushed the opposition back into their twenty-two. The lineout was stolen and an excellent running line from Harry Tanner carried the ball up to the line, with the forwards taking over the ball was held up over the line. From the drop out the home team were penalised allowing Milton Keynes field position inside the Wycombe half. Another penalty for going off their feet gave the Milton Keynes 10 the opportunity to draw the scores level, but he missed the kick.
Half Time 10-7
Whatever was said at half time by the Milton Keynes coaches certainly worked as they came out strongly and it wasn’t long before they took the lead. With Wycombe in possession and needing to clear their lines an audacious tap pass was attempted in midfield, this didn’t go to hand and possession was conceded. With the ball moved wide Milton Keynes had a 4 on 1 overlap which they duly scored, 10-14. With their tails up and offloading everything it wasn’t long before Wycombe were under pressure again. A break in midfield put the away team in behind the defence with only the fullback to beat he opted to kick ahead, with the ball gone the tackle was still made and Mark Croome was yellow carded. With the penalty in front of the posts Milton Keynes took the 3 points 10-17. The game was in danger of slipping away from Mark Barry’s men, but they managed to wrestle back momentum. Going back to basics the forwards carried hard and took play deep into the opposition half. With a penalty awarded Joff Forber noticed that the defence was not set and took a quick tap. He brushed off one tackler to score under the posts 17-17. It was Milton Keynes turn to fall foul of the referee’s whistle and after several infringements at the breakdown Wycombe had a lineout 8 metres from the line. Another advantage for taking out the jumper in air was fed out to the backs but nothing came of it, so the referee went back to the penalty at the lineout. The ever-alert Joe Openshaw tapped the penalty and passed the ball out to Harry Tanner who dived over the line to score in the corner. Joe Openshaw made the kick from the corner 24-17. Wycombe cleared their lines well from the restart and were then awarded a scrum when the lineout wasn’t straight. More penalties against Milton Keynes took play back into the opposition twenty-two. Again, good continuity took play close to the line and Wycombe were awarded another penalty. Keeping the tempo high this was tapped to Harry Tanner who managed to get his arms free in the tackle and offload to Tom Boardman to score, with the kick missed 29-17. With five minutes remaining Wycombe saw out the rest of the game with no further alarms.
Full time 29-17
This was a much-improved performance on last week and Wycombe deserved their victory. Milton Keynes are a well organised side and looked dangerous especially at the start of the second half when they upped the tempo and were offloading. Wycombe did well to wrestle that momentum back and controlled the final 15 minutes.
MOM – James Roach - Only knew he was playing fly half on Friday night, and this was the first time he has ever played in that position. He controlled the game and made the right decisions, showing a good understanding with the centres, an excellent performance.
