Old Wheatleyans 66 – 0 Standard Triumph
Ruthless Display
Old Wheats were able to field a strong side for the second league match of the season against a Standard side who came to Stade Wheats having narrowly missed out to Warwickians 5 – 13 in their first league game.
The omens were looking good: a good early meeting which even Browny made it to on time, ideal conditions for running rugby, a low horsefly count, and the majority of the side not suffering from a hangover…
So it was with a short time to go to ko that the call came through advising that Standard were coming over with less than 15. Cue a lot of head scratching whilst people tried to work out what that meant for the result. Eventually the ref managed to phone a friend and figure out that according to RFU rules as the wind was blowing in an easterly direction in a non-leap year and the moon was in Saturn’s ring, as Standard couldn’t put a front row in they would have to concede the game as a home walkover.
Not to be deterred Standard still came over and with some Wheats loan players took to the field a man short for KO.
Wheats started out strong dotting down in the first two minutes, and didn’t take their foot off the gas for the whole of the first half. Wheats were awarded a penalty try after good support from Casper on a John Betts rampage ended just short of the line, which the ref deemed Standard killed with some illegal snaffling. Even after Standard’s latecomer pulled on a jersey and came on to the field the difference in the two sides remained apparent, as try after try rained down on the opposition to the delight of a capacity crowd. The Beast was having a good kicking day too, nailing conversions from wide right and left to really pile it on.
Wheats defence had all the answers for the few questions that they got asked, rarely getting stretched, and Bennett was comfortable under the high ball at full back. Betts managed to stop the best chance Standard had in the game (a lineout on the Wheats 5 meter line) jumping and taking the ball against the head.
In attack the backs looked dangerous every time they got hands on the ball, and some very strong running from Charlie Hands proved too much on more than one occasion busting tackles to set up some great opportunities. Further tries followed including a Jamie Keenan score under the posts after breaking tackles.
Second half was more of the same, Wheats making one change at scrum half (Ghost on for Deano, who joined Standard as hooker). Among the 2nd half highlights was the look on Macca’s face after breaking the line from inside his own half and realising he had 70 yards still to go, and the refusal of Brad to put Charlie in for his hat-trick late in the game despite Hands’ yelping for the ball.
Thanks to all who pulled on a shirt for the game (Blue or Gold). A tougher test awaits next week against Rugby Welsh, who we’re hoping to get an early kick off arranged with.
- A Hibberd: 6/10 – not left much to do with no scrum
- M McKenzie: 7/10 – supported well, provides much needed aggression up front
- J Loach: 8/10 – ran hard and fast
- J Betts: 7/10 - good day at 2 in the lineout, showed strength around the park
- Haddo: 7/10 - solid. Seemed to get targeted with more than his fair share of re-starts.
- C Hands: 8/10 – would have been 10/10 if he’d scored a hat-trick. Broke tackles for fun.
- Casper: 8/10 - great support running and tackling from the scrum
- N Hodgkiss: 7/10 - led well, no mistakes made
- D Bryant: 7/10 – steady despite looking worried by Standard's back row
- R East: 7/10 – couple of wayward passes offset by good kicking game
- M Brown: 8/10 - finished well, slippery customer in attack
- J Keenan: 8/10 - managed a full 80 without getting injured
- B Atkins: 8/10 - didn't push enough in defence, but as always sharp - on the break
- R Drury: 7/10 - good to see him in a Wheats shirt again
- R Bennett: 7/10 - vocal as ever, kept involved well
- G Weaver: 7/10 - entered the fray and performed well at 9 as always
Thanks to AB who managed to take 136 photos despite having no eyes.
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