Atherstone 15 – 10 Old Wheatleyans
No Deliverance for Wheats
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The Wheats started off with a strong side on Monday, by 1400 on Saturday things had changed a little. Andy H pulled out injured and Joe Loach cried off to attend the Grand National, hence a new look front row was fielded from the previous game with Luke Harris playing his 2nd league game at loose head, Trussy playing a 2 & Scan coming forward from the second row, The 2nd row was also entirely different to the previous week with back rowers Macca & Si H packing down (due to McLame been his usually reliable self & turning up 1/2hour after ko). After winning the previous league game it was disappointing to have to field a totally different front 5 the following game. The back row was made up of Casper, Gay Gillam & moaning AB played at 8 for the 1st time. There were also several changes in the backs, Rich B played at 9 this week, Birchy let everyone down crying off at the last minute due to “sickness” so Brett moved to 10. Drury returned from mincing with boy bands to play in the centre with Rubery, Simon Carter started on one wing with the Barrel on the other & Matt Brown at 15. All in all, including the positional changes, there were 13 changes to the side from the previous game, with only Weaver & Rubery starting at the same position. This is a totally ridiculous occurrence & typifies what has happened most weeks. The side have failed to make less than 5 changes in any 2 consecutive weeks this season. The league standing can hardly therefore be a surprise. To progress as a club more commitment is needed from ALL players. It is fully accepted that every player will not be available every week, but to use 59 players in 18 league games & make all of the week to week changes is not acceptable & is no foundation to move the club forward. With the number of players the club has, we should be fielding 3 teams every week – with ease.
With the glorious sun shining in picturesque Atherstone it was set to be a superb day for flowing rugby. Cue: arrival of referee to spoil things
Atherstone started the stronger with their large pack dominating proceedings in the tight. The scrum was struggling, Atherstone’s intent on using the rolling maul & the Wheats failure to get what ball they did win to the backs made it look like it was going to be a long afternoon for the Wheats. Especially after the in-form Brett vomited after just 30 seconds.
Atherstone’s dominance paid off with a truck & trail/flying wedge from a quick penalty immediately leading to a try. The Wheats then woke up a little and started to play. After a couple of Wheats penalty misses the Barrel linked well with Brett to allow him to register 5 points. 5-5. The rest of the half was fairly dull with the referee generally dominating proceedings with his whistle.
The 2nd half started well for the Wheats, Rich B taking a high ball deep in his own half, a scissors with full back Matt Brown who linked with Brett who drew his man to feed Trussy who used the old show and go to beat his man & eventually put the Barrel in for 5-pointer. 10-5.
There was no doubt that the Wheats backs had the better of the opposition, and the Wheats lineout dominant they should have been given enough ball to kill off the opposition. However, Atherstone did a good / illegal job of ensuring they disrupted what ball the Wheats forwards secured.
15mins into the 2nd half, Wheats were on top, when a bit of a brawl occurred. After speaking with one of their players the referee managed to award the penalty to Atherstone. What a top man.
Following this Atherstone drulling spurred them on and they began to dominate once again. Pressure on the Wheats line, the referee awarded 15-20 penalties in Atherstone’s favour as the Wheats kept cheating by tackling & not letting them score. Another truck & trail from a penalty led to a mass pile up on the line – the referee looked from every angle and 30 or so seconds later gave the try – it is pure fact that anything could have happened under the pile up after he first below his whistle to when the try was awarded. Outrageous, but the Atherstone sideline was full as it was there VP’s day & no doubt he felt a little intimidated. 12-10.
Soon after Atherstone kicked 3 to take it to 15-10. The Wheats didn’t give up and an excellent break by Brett late on nearly led to a winning try under the posts.
However, it was not to be and it was a disappointing result to end a rather disappointing season. The Wheats did well to stick at it against a far larger more experienced pack, had they managed to use a little more of the ball secured from the lineout the result would no doubt have been different.
Atherstone used their forwards and the referee to good effect and the whilst there are question marks over both their tries, the Wheats cannot moan to much about the result.
As too often this season, another game lost by a few points (& the Wheats blame the referee!! - the side fully appreciate how difficult it is to be a referee and acknowledge that without them we could not play – it just seems this year that few decisions have gone their way – hopefully just bad luck & the wind will turn in time for next season).
Plenty is happening within and around the club over the summer. The club is about enjoyable rugby – not serious rugby – but players have to put a little more in to get that enjoyment out. It is hoped that everyone gets involved in the on & off field activities that will be going on over the next few months.
Don’t forget:
Tuesday 17th April: training at 1900hrs.
This Sat: 21st April: Friendly (hopefully at home).
Sat May 5th End of Season Dinner
Sat May 12th Earlsdon 7’s.
MOTM: Jas W had a hand in both tries & Brett made some excellent breaks from 10, but the award goes to Trussy for his work around the park in defence & attack – plus his use of the renowned show & go. Special mention to Si H & Macca also for playing out of position in the 2nd row,
DOTD: Actually not too many contenders this week. Possibly McShame for turning up late? Possibly Drury for hugging his opposite nr & giving a penalty away? It would however seem unfair to give it to anyone other than Gillam – he has been there or there abouts for the award every week & to give it to somebody else just wouldn’t be right. Reasons this week for missing loads of tackles! The award will be re-named “Gillam of the Day” next season.
* * * * * * * Player Ratings * * * * * * *
1. Luke H: 6.5/10 – up against an experienced opposite nr who managed to keep him relatively quiet.
2. Trussy: 8/10 – great work throughout the game. A real asset when he plays.
3. Scan: 6.5/10 – has been ever reliable during the 2nd half of the season – a big thank-you. Always puts in 100%.
4. Si H: 6.5/10 – put in another huge effort – a true club man who never moans or bitches about anything (others (AB & Gillam) – please take note).
5. Macca: 6.5/10 – another fearless performance.
6. Gillam: 6.25/10 – missed tackles in the 1st half & let his head go down. Should play with more confidence & prove himself to be the man we all know he can be!!
7. Weaver: 6.5/10 – used his mobility well but like the rest of the pack struggled against the larger opposition.
8. AB: 6.5/10 – lineout was superb. Difficult for any 8 at the scrums.
9. Rich B: 6.5/10 – opposition off-side line made it difficult.
10. Brett: 7/10 – we won’t mention the 4 missed kicks at goal. Would be 6.5/10 but an extra 0.5 for having a fit bird.
11. Simon Carter: 6.5/10 – first start for the Wheats, great effort on the wing.
12. Rubery: 6.5/10 – unusually quiet? On the beer on Friday?
13. Drury: 6.5/10 – struggled to get into the game. Sprint training on the menu for this summer!
14. Jas W: 7/10 – great performance on the wing. A true Adonis.
15. Matt B: 6.5/10 – reliable as always – never given enough space to open up.
16. James McShame: 6.5/10 – played well in the 2nd half disrupting opposition ball.
17. Ant Webb: 6.5/10 – not given much to do in attack or defence.
18. Dean Bryant: 7/10 – came on for the last 20mins to show the back rowers how it should be done.
* * * * * * * Player Stats 2006 -2007 Season * * * * * * *
|
|
Name
|
Appearances
|
|
1
|
Andy Hibberd
|
8
|
|
2
|
Adam Mason
|
4
|
|
3
|
Mark Scannel
|
12
|
|
4
|
Spencer Ayres
|
3
|
|
5
|
Murphy
|
6
|
|
6
|
Luke Harris
|
2
|
|
7
|
Ben Baines
|
3
|
|
8
|
Luke Trusslove
|
5
|
|
9
|
Joe Loach
|
11
|
|
10
|
John Betts
|
6
|
|
11
|
Adam Brittain
|
14
|
|
12
|
James McShame
|
9
|
|
13
|
Matt Rice
|
2
|
|
14
|
Dave Beere
|
2
|
|
15
|
Ian Haddridge
|
7
|
|
16
|
Si Hodgkiss
|
15
|
|
17
|
James Gillham
|
15
|
|
18
|
Macca
|
15
|
|
19
|
Eggy
|
3
|
|
20
|
Hasto
|
1
|
|
21
|
Neil Hodgkiss
|
0
|
|
22
|
Greavsy
|
4
|
|
23
|
Greg Weaver
|
2
|
|
24
|
Dean Bryant
|
15
|
|
25
|
Rob McGowan
|
2
|
|
26
|
Andy Lewis
|
1
|
|
27
|
Will Owen
|
2
|
|
28
|
Brad Aitkins
|
4
|
|
29
|
Rich East
|
5
|
|
30
|
Jamie Keenan
|
9
|
|
31
|
JT
|
2
|
|
32
|
C Gardiner
|
4
|
|
33
|
Rich Drury
|
10
|
|
34
|
Charlie
|
1
|
|
35
|
Matt Brown
|
16
|
|
36
|
Jas Wetton
|
12
|
|
37
|
Ant
|
9
|
|
38
|
Ross
|
8
|
|
39
|
Ian Webster
|
3
|
|
40
|
Steve Johns
|
1
|
|
41
|
Mark Rubery
|
17
|
|
42
|
Duncan Keenan
|
1
|
|
43
|
Shaun T
|
1
|
|
44
|
Tom
|
1
|
|
45
|
Dan Ramsey
|
1
|
|
46
|
Kieron Wilde
|
1
|
|
47
|
Chris Warn
|
1
|
|
48
|
K Mhone
|
1
|
|
49
|
Martin Ward
|
1
|
|
50
|
Ben Weaver
|
5
|
|
51
|
Tony Harris
|
3
|
|
52
|
Rich Bennett
|
6
|
|
53
|
Brett C
|
4
|
|
54
|
JB
|
1
|
|
55
|
Gary
|
2
|
|
56
|
Birchy
|
2
|
|
57
|
Will L
|
1
|
|
58
|
Steve Hex
|
1
|
|
59
|
Simon Carter
|
2
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
A full summary of the season will follow over the next couple of weeks.
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