Old Wheatleyans 30 – 31 Trinity Guild
PING PONG (GONE WRONG!)
(OWRFC is not responsible for the content of non-OWRFC web sites)
The Wheats had some good fortune with availability this week with 2 car loads of dirty drunken students taking time out from their Loughborough week-end away to aid / hamper the Wheats cause!
With Andy H unavailable and Jas W suffering from man-flu Scan and Trussy came into the front row. Bettsy made his first start for a while in the row along with a ghost-like Ross. Macca returned to the back row following the birth of his 52nd kid, Young Casper was given his first start in the back-row (much to the annoyance of our well loved James Gillam) and Greevy wore the 8 shirt for the third time this year. The formidable Will O came in at 9, AB retained the 10 shirt, JK returned from a gay back injury and was partnered in the centre by the Wheats latest upcoming star Brett C, Drury and Browny took their isolated positions on the wing with Rubery moving back to 15. On paper this was a much changed side from the previous outing, and probably one of the strongest looking teams that the Wheats have fielded for a while – things were looking good then, until ………… a certain gentleman turned up, kicked off about the changing rooms, kicked off about the pitch and was heard boasting about his night out the week before with an opposition player, and making a statement to the opposition that pretty much ruined any chance the Wheats had before the game had started: “Don’t worry lads, you’ll get every advantage today, I’m not impressed with the Old Wheats at all”. Thanks. As someone mentioned on the side line, he must obviously enjoy satisfying donkeys for a living.
Anyhow, there was a game to be played and without the gentleman in question the game could not have happened so for that we thank him. The Wheats managed to get off to a great start, Macca and Trussy making some big hits early on. Unfortunately in the 2nd minute Will O had to leave the field injured – he was replaced by Rich Bennett who went on to have another lively game. The Wheats struck the first blow - a quick taken penalty in the oppositions 22 was simply but effectively shipped down the line to allow Drury to go over in the corner, luckily not too much gas was required to finish this one! 5-0. The Wheats generally had the better of the opening exchanges but looked to be struggling a little in the scrummage. The Guild however were resilient and scored next 5-7.
The next try came courteous of a well taken catch and drive from a lineout with Trussy dotting down. 10-7. The Wheats scored again soon after and looked to be taking control of the game, despite some bizarre decisions against them. Brett used his vision (?) to intercept and stumble his way to the try line. Conversion good! 17-7. The Guild then slotted two penalties and scored a converted try whilst the Old Wheats managed just one penalty to make it 20-20 at half time. The side were disappointed not to be ahead at half-time, most of the half-time chat revolved around some of the referees decisions, as a side the Wheats must learn to accept the decisions that are made by the man in charge – whilst it is difficult and frustrating at times they have the power and must be obeyed. However, turning round with wind at their backs it looked like a W might just happen at long, long last. Bettsy was replaced at half time by Haddo, following an absolutely storming 40mins.
The Wheats were first to score with Matt Brown finishing superbly following some good forward and back interplay. The Guild hit back with a Penalty to make it 25-23. As you can probably guess – the Wheats responded with an unconverted try through Joe Loach to make it 30-23 with about 15mins left on the clock.
Then Wheats were struggling to get the ball away from the large Guild pack and got caught up a little too much in a forwards battle. Had they managed to release a little more ball to the backs more tries would no doubt have followed? The ball the backs did get was to a certain degree over complicated – the tries had generally come from simple moves not moves like Miss 4-double bogey-back inside-yorker-xxx-69.
The lineout was working well with Trussy’s throwing impeccable and both Ross and Haddo taking some great ball thanks to some sterling lifting – for the first time this year the Wheats even managed some successful 6 ball!! With the back-row having a storming day, Macca’s defence was formidable, Casper had a stormer in the 7 shirt whilst Greevy was totally solid in defence and carried ball superbly surely the Wheats could finish this one off against the opposition of 16.
Unfortunately somebody had other ideas and the Guild were awarded another dubious penalty which was slotted to make it 30-26 – the Guild 9 had an excellent day with the boot. The Wheats were awarded a rare penalty in a kickable position but elected to go for touch – a decision they were left to regret! You can no doubt guess the rest - with just a few mins left on the clock. The first penalty was awarded on the half way line, the Guild were then awarded 6 to 7 penalties whilst making there way up to the old wheats try line – eventually crossing to make it 31-30. With just time for the kick-off the final whistle was blown and for the 6th time this season the Wheats had lost in the last minute. This must be some sort of record!
.jpg)
There were chances to take this game out of the reach of the Guild, blaming the one gentleman is not entirely fair – sometimes the Wheats are their own worst enemy. The Guild kept themselves in the game with some excellent goal-kicking from the 9. With a try count of 5-3 in favour of the Wheats there were at least some positives to take from the game. The side played with more commitment, and whilst left frustrated, the future is certainly bright if the side stick together through this unbelievably unlucky spell / season.
MOTM – tough one this week – everybody played a part – John Betts stood out in the first half and all of the back-row played well. Shared award between Trussy & Greevy for commitment they showed.
DOTD – too obvious. Donkey lover.
Player Ratings:
1. Joe Loach: 7/10 – another good performance – would be nice to see more boshes!
2.Luke T: 8/10 – superb in all elements of the game.
3.Scan: 6/10. Sent to the cooler in the first half for tickling so had to be careful after this.
4. John Betts: 8/10. Took re-starts and line out ball superbly – always an assett.
5. Ross: 6/10 – a little too much booze the night before to live up to high expectations set over previous weeks.
6. Macca: 8/10 – set the tone for the day with some great early hits.
7. Weaver: 7/10 – great game in the loose and some good work at 6 in the line out.
8. Greevy: 8/10 – even managed a text book 8 pick-up – something the Wheats have not seen for a good few weeks!
9. Will O: not enough time to warrant a rating! Looking forward to see him play a full game at 9 over easter.
10. AB: 6/10. Sturdy performance, unlucky with some of goal-kicking (balls fault apparently?!).
11. Rich Drury. 6/10: Not given enough ball – took try well & super bosh in the 2nd half (which was missed by most due to a fracas occurring at the same time!)
12. JK: 6/10: Again not enough ball to make an impact. Tackled with his usual ferocity.
13. Brett: 6/10: Good interception for his try. Fly-hacked another interception half the length of the pitch in the 2nd half only to trip over his laces on the line.
14. Matt B: 6/10: Great finish – will hopefully be more confident in future games now.
15. Rubery: 7/10: Solid as ever in defence. Turning into a real beef cake.
16. Haddo: 6/10 – good line-out work in the 2nd half and covered a lot of ground.
17. Ben Baines: Only got 10mins whilst Scan was in the bin. But scrimmaged well whilst on.
18. Rich Bennett: 7/10 – another gutsy performance.
Gillam – 10/10 – WE LOVE YOU GILLAM, WE DO, OH GILLAM WE LOVE YOU!
GILLAM FOR OLD WHEATS CAPTAIN / CHAIRMAN / PRESIDENCY NEXT SEASON.
RFU.com 
Search
