Old Wheats 16 – 10 Coventrians
Relief!
Stade Wheats was the venue for the local clash with Coventrians. With hangovers, traffic, injuries and holidays there were again several changes to the previous league game; the front row remained heavy and unchanged with Loachy, Adonis & Hibberd, an elated AB moved into the engine room to pack down with Ross, Si H and Weaver came back into the boy band row to join skipper Neil, “the fat useless pig” Hodgkiss. Dean started at 9, Brad moved to 10, Charlie remained in the 12 shirt and the usually unreliable Drury played at 13, Beno started at 14 & returning Rubes played at 15. The Wheats were that confident that decided to start with just 14 players ……. (either that or the fact that Birchy & Browny decided to stop off & see the colonel seriously f&cked things up before ko!).
With an even start to the game, it was decided the Wheats may be better of with 15 on the field so front row Carl came on & the oinker moved into the centre.
Now we had 15 v 15. However, it was evident from very early on the Covents were up for this game and were playing with real spirit. The Wheats fluffed a couple of overlaps in the 1st 10mins and both sides missed penalty opportunities.
The Wheats did appear to have slightly overdone the mince pies and were slow to the breakdown in the forwards, whilst the 2 back rowers in the centre spent most of the time in rucks or mauls there was little that could be done with the ball that was won.
Half time came round quickly and the scoreboard showed a massive 0-0.
After wiping the grease from their fingers, Birchy & Browny entered the fray which gave the side some stability with players then able to move to more familiar positions.
It was a tight game with the Wheats not managing to get out of 1st gear, the recent quick support play game eluded them on this cold afternoon. The defensive game was not up to scratch either with Covents breaking the gain line all too often. However, after passing up several opportunities Birchy slotted home to open the scoring 3-0. Covents still had fire in their eyes and from a lineout on the 22 set up a rolling maul and sped over the wheats line at 200mph whilst the wheats pack stood and applauded the pace of the rolling maul, Covents elation 3-5. As always, the Wheats decided to do just enough rather than take some initiative. Ignoring screams from the side line to take 3 on several occasions, Loach man finally boshed his way over to make it 8-5. Next up – you guessed it – Covents scored in the corner from a quick lineout – 8-10.
The Wheats once again spent time in Covents 22 and again opted to go for open rugby rather that kick the dull 3, however, some sense was seen at last & Birchy pushed one over again to take the lead 11-10.
The Covents crowd were behind there team and outnumbered Wheats supporters by 10-1.
However, Aitkins was getting bored with the closeness of the scoreline so with some individual magic sealed the game to make it 16-10.
Covents were certainly more up for the game than the Wheats, who for some reason had an off day at the office, however, as a great man once said it takes a good team to play badly & still win!
This game can now be forgotten as the side move into the 2nd half of the season & we look forward to seeing some more Gaelic flair style rugby backed up by support play, aggressive defence, enthusiasm, a smile on the face & ………… some supporters, please!
Unavailability’s once again caused disruption, although we were in a position to field a 2nd team had the opposition not cried off – but as it is xmas season all are forgiven & no doubt new years resolutions will be to do more for the club! Thanks to everyone who made themselves available, a special mention to Brad Aitkins, Neil Hodgkiss, Dean Bryant & Matt Brown who have played in all 9 league games so far this season (if Browny can come back every week from Sailor land then others should hold there heads in shame ……… although he has got a seriously fit bird in the area we are sure he only returns to play rugby!).
For those interested in Stats:
- To date this season in league games we have used just the 38 players (!! – another indication of the strength of the club (or lack of commitment?)).
- Easty is the top points scorer with 53 (in 8 games).
- Charlie is the top try scorer with 6 (in 7 games).
- Browny is 2nd top try scorer with 5 (in 9 games).
- Brad is 3rd top try scorer with 4 (in 9 games).
- Drury has been the biggest let down so far with availability (although has had some more cracking excuses)
- Gillam has grown up & not thrown one strop yet this season (what’s going on?)
- Weaver is the most stupid player in the club
- Beno has turned up with the most hangovers
- Joe Loach was spotted in a gym
- Bettsy’s piece has got even bigger
- AB got dumped
- Si H met a bird
- Neil H almost admitted to having a girlfriend (& caught 1 pass)
- JK has only gone off injured twice
- Rubery is still on most wanted list for liaisons with underage girls.
- Jas W is still a god
- Ross has made 3 tackles
- Against Warwickians the side put together a massive 4 phases of play without dropping the ball, passing forward, knocking on or doing something equally flid like.
The Stats do not include the 66-0 win over Standard as this was recorded as a 0-0 win due to the front row issue.
Sat 22nd – the plan is to have a social game somewhere local.
Weds 19th Bablake v Henrys @ the Butts – meet in the Broomfield beforehand. Club in town afterwards.
Thurs 27th Captains Game – come up & support – watch Weaver get battered!
MOTM: once again Joe had a big game but for heroism in defence Rubery takes the award.
DOTD: Gillam came on & put in a great performance (for those that didn’t know, he had scored 4 tries in his previous 2 outings). DOTD this week goes to Weaver for getting dump tackled by the opposition fly-half & going down injured.
- A Hibberd: 7/10 – scrumage went well throughout the game, slightly slower to the breakdown than usual
- Jas W: 7/10 – drifted in & out of the game but made valuable yardage with ball in hand
- J Loach: 8/10 – carried ball well & had some fun in the scrums
- Ross: 7/10 – the Richard Hill of the side, does all the hard work that nobody notices
- AB: 7/10 – moved to 8 & did well with turnover ball
- Si H: 7/10 – full on commitment & some good hits
- Weaver 7.75/10 – gave the 10 too much space, but was spotted making 4 tackles in one phase of play in the 2nd half. A true class 7.
- Neil H: 7/10 – when he moved into the centre in 1st half the Wheats had the heaviest centre partnership in the history of Mids 6 West South East Rugby. Manned up in the centre & gave the side some stability when moved back to 8 in the 1st half
- Dean: 7/10 – was unlucky when a freak gale of wind took his perfect box kick out on the full.
- Brad: 7.5 – always busy & scored a great try
- Beno: 7 – the 3hours sleep were not evident, played well when moved to 9 in the 2nd half.
- Charlie: 7.5 – was everywhere in first 20mins, & made some big 1st up hits.
- Drury: 7/10 – not given much ball in space but great to have back playing!
- Not Needed: 10/10 – the Wheats best player
- Rubery: 8/10 – top draw 15 performance, saved a couple pf definite tries & didn’t put a foot wrong under the high ball (although did spaz up one clearance kick)
- Carl D: 7/10 – solid & committed throughout.
- Birchy: 7.25/10 – Good distribution to get the backs moving & a couple of nice breaks, although disappointed the crowd by not showing off his 2 footed double side step. You’d never have known he had not played for 3 months.
- Browny: 7/10 – too many hot wings maybe as looked to have lost a yard of pace? But made some clever runs off the ball.
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