Cov Tech 38 – 19 Old Wheatleyans
Some Encouraging Signs?
The Wheats kicked off the 2007/2008 league campaign on Saturday whilst the clubs front row contingency decided to spread themselves across the globe from Vegas to Canada to Wales. Horse flies and hard ground only compounded the problem. Fat b*s&ards.
Luckily, Macca willingly carried on his movement up the scrum and played his debut match in the 2 shirt, cuddling Scan and Carl D either side of him. New overseas player Pat packed down with Haddo in the row with new skipper Neil H was joined in the back row by his better looking bro Si H and hulk-The-Weaver-hogan.
A smoky looking back line was made up of Dean (more smouldering than smoky), Birchy (Brett who?), Matt Brown (Gassy), JK (punches like an crippled 80 year old), Will O (Electric), Rubery (future prop) & Atkins (returning from 9 months of gaids).
The Wheats started brightly and despite the inexperience in the front row actually took the first scrum against the head! A flowing back move from right to left put Matt Brown in some space to score the Wheats first league try of the season with some style, 0-5. From the re-start the Wheats failed to secure the ball, Cov Tech went through various phases but the Wheats defence looked strong until the Tech 8 found a gap to score under the posts. Disappointing. 7-5. In the usual ping pong manner of the Wheats they were next to score, with what may well be a contender for try of the season with Weaver stealing ball at the back of a lineout, bouncing a couple of defenders and running ¾ of the length of the pitch, leaving not only the opposition but also his team mates behind, although he didn’t have the game to score under the posts the conversion was good 7-12. Had the Wheats scored next the end result may have been different, 12-12. Another contender for try of the season was up next, this time Will O receiving ball deep in his own half and showing real gas to beat off the opposition, 19-12.
The opposition started to rally shortly before half time, some aggressive play put the Wheats on the back foot but they held out for 19-12 lead at half time.
The scrum was a lot more solid than expected and the lineout was at least functioning, the Wheats should have been optimistic and keen going into the 2nd half, but a slight spark and enthusiasm was missing – something the team need to work on. Things were made worse when less than 10mins into the 2nd half the centre pairing of JK and Will O had to leave the field injured. Both had looked dangerous throughout the game and were more than solid in defence. Rich East came on for his first game in several months – although showing a slight pot belly Richards return will be welcomed by all as we look forward to the veteran showing the whipper snappers how it should be done!
After this the Wheats were never really back in the game, the Cov Tech 8 ran hard at the Wheats defence throughout the 2nd half. Going in low was talked about a lot before the game, however, some of the side had obviously mis-understood what this meant!
A half-time lead was turned into a second half mauling with a final score of 38-19.
With Scan also having to leave the field injured, Macca moved to prop and Si H admirably moved up to 2. There were several scrums that the Wheats managed to disrupt on the oppositions ball, however, Cov Tech returned the favour on the Wheats ball and neither side could claim superiority in this department.
Perhaps the most encouraging sign was the organisation of the defence around the breakdown, whilst the actual defence could have been better it was encouraging to see players talking to each other and standing in the right place (maybe it was just luck?!), (fly-half Birchy may not agree with this statement based on the number of times he had to bring down rampaging forwards!).
The side should not be too despondent, Cov Tech are a hard aggressive side and will be difficult for any side to beat. It is disappointing that more confidence cannot be found going into games, especially following the 1st half performance.
With the season now well and truly underway, Membership needs paying. The Club has agreed that Membership can now be paid by monthly standing order to help spread the cost: Students £1.75/month (or 1-off £15 payment), Non Lazy People £3.75/month (or 1-off £40 payment). Standing order forms are available at training & matches, alternatively e-mail Simon Hodgkiss @ simon.hodgkiss@sky.com. These must be signed and handed to Si H or Dave Hastings. Your membership entitles you to many benefits, including a stylish OWRFC polo shirt, a free beer night, discounted physio and many many other benefits.
Match day subs also must be paid £5 (£2.50 concessions). This money is used to finance the week to week costs of running the club – washing kit, food on match days, hot showers (a guarantee this season) etc etc.
MOTM: Macca, Carl D, Si H all stood up to be counted by playing in the sweaty row, but Mini Weaver was superb throughout (although needs to support his back line a little more)
DOTD: a few contenders but award must be shared between Neil H & Birchy, after Neil had fed Birchy he looped round but must have momentarily forgot about Birchys silky skills, as the 10 slipped one round the back Neil was obviously too busy checking out Birchy's peaches as the ball bounced off the 8’s head. Beads.
- Carl Dennis: 7/10 – great performance in his first league outing for the Wheats. Should take confidence from this game.
- Macca: 8/10 – the Wheats have found a new hooker!! Although he won’t be allowed to throw in at the lineout again!
- Scan: 7/10 – solid as usual. There’s still time to get fit and offer more round the park?
- Pat: 7/10 – welcome to English rugby. A true 2nd rower!
- Haddo: 7/10 – was one of the outstanding performers against Christ College – didn’t quite emulate that performance but ever reliable
- Si H: 7/10 – ended up looking like he had done 12 rounds with a lightweight boxer – will his looks ever return?
- Weaver: 8/10 – some big hits & great try – thank fully failed his A-levels. High expectations now.
- Neil H: 7/10 – lead from the front and good to have back playing.
- Dean B: 6.5/10 – a little tired.
- Birchy: 7/10 – kicked superbly all day and made one superb break with his dancing feet (although became a true Wheats player by injuring himself whilst side stepping!)
- Matt B: 7/10 – great finish for the 1st try. GO ON THE OUTSIDE.
- JK: 7/10 – looked dangerous throughout the 1st half, the side certainly struggled without him in the 2nd.
- Will O: 8/10 – a class player but has glass ankles!
- Rubery: 7/10 – a little lost on the wing but looked to get involved wherever possible.
- Atkins: 7.5/10 – some great cart horse style runs. Great to have him back
Subs:
Ross, Beero, Greg, Easty – a very difficult game to come on in.
Thanks to Phillip Edgar of Cov Tech for photos
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