Sat 5 Feb 2022
After last week’s poor performance High Wycombe were looking to give a better account of themselves against Gosford All Blacks. With the game postponed from December and the six nations starting several players were unavailable. Fortunately, back into the side came Dan Kier, Rohan Girling, Mark Croome and Will Outten.
It was Gosford who opened the scoring when the home team were penalised for being offside from a kick. This presented the Gosford full back with a relatively easy kick from in front of the posts 0-3. Wycombe hit back almost immediately, penalised for not rolling away at the kick-off the away team kicked the resulting penalty up to the halfway line. Securing the lineout, the ball was fed out to the backs, spotting the intricate move unfold Matt Wardle intercepted the ball and ran in under the posts 7-3. It was not long until Wardle doubled his account, with the home team pressurising the Gosford line the ball was spread out to the wing where Joe Openshaw kicked accurately into the corner forcing the Gosford player to carry it into touch. With the lineout secured a maul was edging its way towards the line when it was illegally stopped. Mike Fradgley opted for the scrum, with Gosford holding firm, the ball was spun out to Matt Wardle who handed off his opposite number to go over and score 14-3. Mark Barry’s men extended their lead from the kick-off, Will Outten gathered the kick-off and made a break up the touch line. A strong carry from Ayrton Hooker took play up to the halfway line. Quick ball was spun out to the backs and a flick on pass by Joe Openshaw put Matt Wardle into space who gave the ball out to James Shuck. With still plenty to do he cut back inside and then round the outside of the last defender to score 21-3. Not to be deterred, Gosford hit back when an accurate backs move put the fullback into space, with the help of several missed tackles he carried the ball from inside his own half to score 21-8. Wycombe were enjoying most of the possession and were feeding off any Gosford mistakes. A loose ball in midfield was snaffled by the men in green and to make matters worse Gosford were then penalised. This set up a lineout metres from the line, the maul was stopped just short but with the ball recycled it was given to George Elliott who powered his way over the line 26-8. With the kick-off secured some strong carries from Joe Holloman and George Elliott took play into the opposition half, a flat accurate pass from Matt Wardle put James Shuck into space. Once again, he had plenty to do but showed his power and pace to brush off tackles to go over and score 31-8. On the stroke of half time the home team scored again when a five-metre lineout was taken short. With Ayrton gathering the ball he gave it back to Joe Holloman who went over to score in the corner, a great kick from Joe Openshaw took the score out to 38-8.
Half Time 38-8
After an indifferent start to the second half a solid tackle on his opposite number from Mark Childerhouse sparked the home team into life. The lineout was secured and fed out to Matt Wardle he spotted a great running line from Rohan Girling and passed the ball back inside to him. Receiving the ball inside his own half Rohan brushed off several tackles and went round the last defender to score an excellent solo try, 45-8. With the wind at their backs a clearing Gosford kick went out on the full presenting the home team with an attacking lineout. Another excellent Matt Wardle pass put Harry Tanner through a gap, he offloaded in the tackle and some quick hands from the backs put James Roach away to score in the corner 50-8. Gosford never gave up and were unlucky not to score when a kick through just bobbled over the dead ball line. Coming back for an earlier infringement the away team had another opportunity to score but some strong defence especially from Rohan Girling forced them backwards and then they conceded a penalty. After another penalty for not rolling away, Mike Fradgley opted for the scrum. The ball was spun out to James Shuck who went round his opposite number to score 57-8. A strong break from Elliot Hearne presented Matt Wardle time to kick in behind the defence this was regathered, but the last pass was adjudged forward. The Gosford scrum was under pressure and the home team were awarded another penalty. This was taken quickly and spun wide to Joe Openshaw who scored in the corner 62-8.
Full Time 62-8
This was a solid victory and a much better performance than last week. There were some strong candidates for the Man of the Match award, and it was given to three players: Joe H, George E and Rohan G. Next week a home game against Wallingford.
