Old Wheatleyans 53 – 7 Standard Triumph
SHOW & …….. GO !
A rare W for the Wheats this week! Again a much changed side from the previous week’s hammering. Big JW came into the front row, Macca moved into the second row making room for the ever whinging AB to return to the back-row after a stint at 10. Returning Greavy wore the 8 shirt , all in all a pretty solid pack. The back-line was also much changed with Birchy and Brett sandwiching the veteran 12, JK. As Drury had double booked himself with a nail appointment Rich Bennett started on the wing with Rubery at full back and Browny on the other wing. The Wheats also managed to put together a very strong (and handsome) bench.
Just before KO the opposition requested passive scrums, which always makes it difficult to get into a game, Wheats hooker Tony H admirably offered to play for the opposition but unfortunately this still meant the game would start with uncontested scrums.
With the bottom 2 sides vying for a W the pressure was on both sides. Could the Wheats handle such pressure? Only time would tell.
As the game got underway the Wheats made their intentions clear, with a good chase from the KO the Wheats managed to get their hands on the ball. JK made an excellent break only to run out of steam near the line, the ball was re-cycled and big Scan ignored the overlap to crash over from (roughly) 20 yards out. Birchy slotted the 2 to make it 7-0 within the first minute. In usual manner the Wheats braced and prepared themselves to concede the next points, with a variety of mistakes they failed to clear their lines although showed real adventure looking to run the ball from deep in their own 22. Eventually they managed to get away without conceding. Old Wheats proceeded to make their way upto the opposition’s half and rarely left for the remainder of the period, except for the re-starts. Tries were scored by: Gillam following a naughty interception, Birchy – an excellent solo effort dancing through the opposition following great service from the Wheats 9. Talk is rife of a upcoming dance off between Birchy & AB – could the Wheats have a new disco king? Browny rounded off some good work by bravely diving into the corner, Brett was the other scorer in the 1st half with an excellent finish from close to the oppositions line - the Wheats’ rampaging 9 ignored the cries and 6 man overlap on the right and wisely choose to feed Brett on his left to beat 4 men.
By far the most genius moment of the half come when floppy haired Gillam stood at a WHEATS lineout and following OUR call actually shouted out to the opposition where the ball was going. Afterwards he blamed his dyslexia, however tourettes was also mentioned in the changing room (along with his ……).
With 5 tries and 3 conversions the Wheats finished the half 31-0, turning round with the wind at their backs and plenty left in the tank things were looking good. Changes were made at half time with Gary coming into the front row, Will replacing Gillam in the back row, Rich B moving to 9 and Ant coming onto the wing. 
Unfortunately the Wheats never really got going in the 2nd half, Standard brought on their experienced Nr 8 who slowed things down and the Wheats did not enjoy so much possession. However, they still managed to run in 4 more tries and kick one conversion.
Matt Brown registered a further 2 tries to get his first hat-trick of the season and take his seasons total to 4! Browny has been an ever present this season and is certainly the quickest of the Wheats backs, when going on the outside there are very few wingers who could keep up let alone stop him. He will be missed next season on the weeks he doesn’t return from his soon to be new home in Sailors homosexual village.
Player / Coach JK scored a deserved try with some good jinking through the opposition, however his hips were not quite up to such movement and soon afterwards he had to leave the field with his hip replacement giving him a bit of jip.
The Wheats scoring was rounded off by Brett, following in JK’s footsteps by ploughing his way through the opposition with some fine footwork and strength. This was not the only way he followed his centre partnership (below). 
With the game sealed at 53-0 the Wheats switched off and defended sloppily to allow Standard in for a deserved consolation try.
At the whistle some spectators were wiping their glasses, the scoreboard at Stade Wheats read 53-7 in favour of the home side. A rare sight this season.
It was not a great game, mainly due to the bitterly cold conditions and uncontested scrums. However the Wheats did well to put in a reasonable performance and secure the (vital?) points. The attacking play was impressive at times with Birchy, JK and Brett all dazzling, but the support play and interaction between forwards and backs needs to improve for the Clayton Flick Memorial trophy game against Covents this weekend. This is one of just two league games left this season – can everyone please make themselves available so we can finish the season on a positive note!
MOTM: Birchy – played with composure and led the back-line well throughout the game. Excellent individual try.
DOTD: Totally and utterly justifiable – Gillham. He will be made to wear a special outfit at the end of season dinner on 05 May ’07. Kn&b. Brett not far behind for his exploits behind the posts towards the end of the game.
PLAYER RATINGS:
- Andy H: 6/10 – difficult for all the front row with passive scrums but well committed and good work in the rolling mauls. Although looked very relieved when substituted after 50mins!
- Jason “The Adonis” Whetton: 6/10 – failed to score!
- Scan: 6/10 – good finish for the first try.
- McShame: 7/10 – soberish for the 2nd week running! Slowly returning to the McShame of old.
- Macca: 7/10 – out of position in the row but again totally solid in defence.
- Gillam: 6/10 – lucky not to get 0/10 following his exploits at the lineout. Other than that though a reasonable all round performance.
- AB: 7/10 – struggled a little in the lineout but worked hard and did well getting around the park supporting the backs and sniffling oppositions ball.
- Greevy: 7/10: solid at 8 in both attack and defence. Makes a huge difference to the forwards.
- Dean: 6/10 - mark would be higher, probably a 10 or an 11, but for the slight imbalance of fat – muscle ratio struggled to “go” very far after the “show”.
- Birchy: 8/10 – great all round performance. Used options well in attack and probably best defensive player.
- Browny: 8/10 – all good finishes.
- JK: 7/10 – will hopefully be able to get out of wheelchair in time for Saturday. Great game for Wheats 12.
- Brett: 8/10 – used his pace to good affect and worked well with JK & Birchy. Another player who makes a huge difference.
- Rich B: 7/10 – another committed game. Superb player to have on the field – in any position!
- Rubery: 6/10 – didn’t have much to do but again didn’t put a foot wrong.
- Gary: 6/10 – came into the front row and defended well.
- Will: 6/10 – put in a super bosh in the 2nd half.
- Ant: 6/10 – not given much ball in attack but defence superb once again.
- Si H: 6/10 – came into the engine room for the last ½ hour and worked hard stopping the Standard pack.
- Haddo: 6/10 – again another spirited performance for the last ½ hour. Really got around the park.
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