Sat 12 Feb 2022
Apologies for the short report this week. Wallingford arrived in good from winning their last four games and Wycombe knew they were in for a tough game.
It was the home team who opened the scoring early on after a strong break from Ollie Fennell-Wells took play close to the line. The ball was passed out to Matt Wardle who barged his way over the line 7-0. It wasn’t long until Wycombe extended their lead when a penalty was kicked to touch, with the lineout secured a maul edged its way to the line allowing captain Mike Fradgley to fall over the line 12-0. Wallingford hit back after several penalties pushed the home team deep into their twenty-two. A quick tap from one of those penalties allowed the away team to score 12-7. Wycombe hit back after a James Roach break put the home team on the front foot, just short of the line Craig Murray picked up and had the strength to go over and score 17-7. Just before half time Mark Barry’s men extended their lead in bizarre circumstances. With Wycombe on the attack and having an overlap a Wallingford defender flew out of the line and knocked the ball on. Expecting the whistle to blow everyone stopped, with the referee playing advantage the ever-alert Craig Murray picked up the ball and passed it out to Ollie who fed James Roach to score 24-7.
Half Time 24-7
Wycombe continued to dominate at the start of the second half and another strong break from James Roach once again took play deep into the twenty-two after several pick and goes Joe Openshaw spotted a gap to go over and score 31-7. Looking comfortable Wycombe took their foot of the gas and allowed Wallingford a foothold in the game. An interception by the Wallingford centre pulled the score back to 31-14. Minutes later a scrum against the head gave the away team field position and after several strong carries they scored 31-21. The next score was going to be crucial, regaining their composure Wycombe reasserted their authority. A goal line drop out was well fielded by Matt Wardle he put George Elliot through a gap. On the front foot the forwards carried well into the twenty-two, the ball was fed out to Rohan Girling who made a half break he manged to get his pass away and Dan Keir scored in the corner 38-21.
Full Time 38-21
