Sat 5 Mar 2022
High Wycombe 1st XV 26 – 24 Thatcham 1st XV
Wycombe returned to winning ways with a hard-fought victory against a resurgent Thatcham. The home team started strongly and an accurate pass back inside from Matt Wardle put Gregg Butters through a gap, after breaking several tackles he was finally brought down inside the twenty-two. With Wycombe on the front foot Thatcham were penalised just short of their own try line. With Wardle shaping to kick for touch he tapped the ball and found a hard running Harry Tanner who was tackled short of the line. With the ball recycled Joe Holloman brushed off a tackle and reached out to score, Joe Openshaw added the extras 7-0. Only minutes later the home team extended their lead, a penalty had given Mike Fradgley’s men good field position and some excellent continuity from both forwards and backs had the Thatcham defence scrambling. Quick ball allowed Matt Wardle to put James Roach through a hole to score under the post, 14-0. Anyone who thought this was going to be an easy afternoon were mistaken. Thatcham were given their first foray into the Wycombe twenty-two when the home team were penalised for going off their feet at a ruck. With the lineout secured they kept the ball within the forwards and after some strong carries went over to score 14-7. Wycombe were back on the front foot when a long Matt Wardle clearance was fielded by the Thatcham full back. Rather than clear his lines he tried to run the ball back but a strong tackle from Mark Croome forced the ball loose which was gathered by the home team. This led to several minutes of pressure in which Thatcham were reduced to 14 men, but a penalty let them off the hook. Not to be deterred Wycombe continued to press and a Matt Wardle break took play close to the line. The ball was spun out to the backs and some accurate passes put Mark Croome away to score in the corner, Joe Openshaw made the difficult kick, 21-7. Thatcham hit back immediately, the kick-off could not be gathered and was snapped up by the men in red and blue. Some strong carries punched holes in the defence and eventually a big gap opened to allow the away team to score 21-14.
Half Time 21-14
It was the home team who started the second half strongly, a knock in midfield was snaffled by the men in green and white and a strong Ayrton Hooker carry put Wycombe on the front foot. A thunderous Craig Murray run brushed off several tackles and he was stopped inches short of the line. The ever-alert Joe Openshaw saw a gap and dotted the ball down for the home teams fourth try 26-14. The rest of the half was a scrappy affair and Wycombe never really threatened the Thatcham line again. Most of the play was inside the Wycombe half but stout defence repelled any attacks. With seven minutes to go the score was still 21-14 but anyone who regularly watches Wycombe will know they like to keep the supporters on the edge of their seats. With three minutes remaining Thatcham scored their third try when some impressive carries allowed them to score, importantly the relatively easy kick hit the post and went wide 26-19. Thatcham gathered the kick-off and an excellent offload put their centre into space, galloping into the Wycombe half he was halted by a high tackle. After several penalties Thatcham opted for a scrum five metres out, with the scrum holding firm a long accurate pass from the fly half was gathered by the winger to score. The kick which was about 8 metres in from the touch line was pushed wide allowing Wycombe to hang on for the win.
Full time 26-24
