Sat 22 Jan 2022
Reading 1st XV 52 – 22 High Wycombe 1st XV
After last week’s strong performance, Wycombe travelled to Holme Park to face league leaders Reading. In selection, Wycombe were missing a number of players due to injury and unavailability particularly in the forwards. With Reading fielding a strong side and a big pack it was always going to be a tough afternoon.
There were ominous signs when at the first scrum Wycombe were marched backwards and then penalised giving the home team field position. Some solid defence in the midfield forced a knock on and a clearing kick pushed play into the Reading half. Deciding to run it back the home team showed good continuity to carry the ball into the twenty-two. The pressure eventually told with the Reading number 12 scoring under the posts 7-0. Unfortunately, travelling with only 2 subs Josh Bromage’s afternoon was over when he sustained a nasty looking cut. From the kick-off Wycombe did well and were awarded a penalty which was kicked to touch just outside the Reading twenty-two. With the ball secured the backs showed what they were capable of when a nice offload put Harry Tanner behind the defence, he was stopped just short of the line and was held up in the tackle and Reading were awarded the scrum. Wycombe were able to keep up the pressure when an accurate kick from James Roach bobbled awkwardly into touch. There was some discussion as to whose lineout it was with the referee over-ruling the linesman and awarding it to Wycombe. With Josh not on the pitch Dan Keir was the only recognised jumper but he did well to secure the ball which was moved out to the backs this time a hard line from Harry Tanner attracted two defenders. He managed to get his arms free in the tackle and pass to Ollie Fennel-Wells who carried into the twenty-two before giving it to James Shuck who scored in the corner despite the best efforts of the covering defence, 7-5. Reading hit back immediately, the restart was knocked on and from the resulting scrum Wycombe were again marched back into their twenty-two. With a penalty awarded another scrum was called and this time Wycombe were pushed over their own line 12-5. It was not long before Reading extended their lead, when a penalty was awarded which was kicked to touch this time Wycombe had no answer to a catch and drive 19-5. With Reading enjoying most of the possession and their big forwards carrying well Wycombe were having to do a lot of defending, eventually this told and after one or two missed tackles Reading scored again 26-5.
Half Time 26-5
Wycombe started the second half well and a strong tackle forced the ball loose, this was snaffled by the ever-alert Dan Keir. With Wycombe upping the tempo the ball was fed out to the backs with nothing on Harry Tanner kicked in behind the defence. With the full back not in position James Shuck showed great pace to beat his opposite number, gather the ball and score one handed in the corner, 26-10. Once again Reading showed their power by breaking through tackles to extend their lead 33-10. Wycombe continued to fight for every ball and a penalty just outside the twenty-two was taken quickly by Joe Openshaw. Knowing that James Shuck had the pace to beat his man James Roach put in an accurate kick in behind the defence. Once again James Shuck showed great speed to get past his opposite number dive and score another excellent try in corner, 33-17. With two more scores for Reading the lead was taken out 45-17. Wycombe’s target was now to continue their impressive record of taking at a point from every game and they needed one more try to get a bonus point. A penalty for dummying a lineout throw was taken quickly and moved out to James Shuck who carried deep into the twenty-two. With Wycombe moving the ball quickly to the other touch line some strong Reading defence ripped the ball, but Wycombe reacted well by pushing him into touch. Lineout secured, Wycombe threw everything they had at the Reading line, initially the defence held out, but a Reading player was then yellow carded for slapping the ball down. A quick tap carried the ball close to the line with the ball passed out to Mike Fradley he managed to break a tackle and reach over to score Wycombe’s fourth try 45-22. The punishing nature of the game had taken its toll on the away team, and they were forced to play the final few minutes with 13 players due to injuries and Reading scored the final try of the game 52-22.
Firstly, congratulations to Reading on a powerful performance it will be interesting to see if they can stay above Stow-on-the-Wold, on this performance there isn’t much between the two strongest teams in the league. As for Wycombe they should be proud of their performance, they defended manfully, never gave up and showed quality in the backs. They also kept up their record of scoring at least a point in every game this season.
Wycombe now have 3 consecutive games at home with Bicester the visitors next Saturday.
MOM – James Shuck – Officially I am not sure if one was awarded but he scored three excellent tries and was a constant threat with his pace and power.
