Old Wheatleyans 6 – 15 Stoke Old Boys
Slip Up ...
The fortress that is the Stade Wheats was more of a moat on Saturday when Old Wheats played host to a special looking Stoke side. The bog looked more like AB’s pants after an over indulgence in Kebabish than it did a Rugby Pitch, though Neil had to give it the thumbs up after the pitch inspection.
Injuries / Unavailabilities were a plenty; the predominant concern was no hooker come 1pm on match day – after lots of No’s, “f” offs and Greg actually leaving the ground, Paul Hartopp admirably stood up at the age of 41 to play his first game at 2 (shame on the more youthful!); with Jas W out injured, Macca moving away, Tony Harris seldom available & Trussy away at University (or playing for his “other” club) the 2 shirt is an ongoing concern – everyone get thinking caps on & if you know any hookers please get them down. Hopefully Adam Mason has read this and is now shamed into playing ……………
Paul was held up by the ever reliant Joe Loach & Andy H (Andy has just had his 3rd child in recent days so congrats from all & thanks for still turning up! – for once somebody had a genuine excuse not to play & didn’t use it!). The engine room started off with Ross partnered by Haddo who returned after a long lay-off. With skipper pig still nursing his broken thumb nail, the more popular brother wore the 8 shirt. Gillam kept the 6 shirt with Weaver returning to 7 following recent absence. A well balanced pack all in all. With Dean at 9 and the Beast at 10 the half back partnership had a real gaelic flair about it (apart from the 9); Charlie and Brad partnered up in the centres, with Long Man and Bruno Brown on the Wings. The Wheats were delighted to welcome back Martin Ward into the side after 12months of eating pies (For those that don’t know, Martin is a long long term serving Wheats player (15years plus?), for many years he ruled the midfield, class in attack and totally solid in defence – a real plus to have him back playing – although it nearly didn’t happen as we struggled to find a pair of shorts to fit him with KO looming).
After a brief pitch inspection things got underway with the Wheats needing to win to push for a guaranteed promotion spot. Things got off to a good start in the miserable conditions until Weaver tweaked his hamstring and had to leave the pitch – a real loss as Weaver has been one of the outstanding players this season. Ross moved into the back row and Scan came on to add some weight to the 2nd row. There was a half chance for the Wheats in the corner early on – the outcome of which, according to the referee, was a Stoke 22 Drop Out. With both sides making numerous mistakes there was lots of packing down – however, the Wheats forwards were holding up well against a much heavier Stoke pack. Wheats scored first with a well struck penalty from Easty. Stoke then made there way into the Wheats half but the Wheats defence around the side of the rucks was immense – Wheats players were competing with each other to make the tackles and going low to stop Stoke form setting up any Mauls. The organisation and commitment was 1st class in this area.
Following a hoof down field from the Beast, Charlie followed up & fly-hacked over the line & fell on the ball, but with the referee still on the half way line the try was not awarded.
Following a more difficult strike at goal the Beast got 3 more on the board to make it 6-0. There were a few consistent Stoke infringements that could have led to time in the rage cage but the game was genuinely played in good spirit.
The lineout was one area that both sides were struggling with. At one lineout the linesman had a true Tourettes fit at Gillam when he asked him if he was going to put his flag up ……. “just “f” off was repeated at least 50 times on the trot – we had been warned before the game about a new RFU ruling about swearing by players and spectators – but obviously linesman are exempt. So that we can compete with the opposition it has been decided to send our linesman Mike H on a new RFU course on “how to intimidate and swear in the oppositions faces and get away with it”. The incident did however put a smile on all faces, even Sloth grinned (which scared us even more……….).
With half time approaching the Wheats had spent 95% of the game in the oppositions half and were very unlucky not be further ahead. Then followed a random stoke break-away, a few forward passes and a score – very disappointing to turn round only 6-5 up, especially following the forwards performance in terms of self organisation and defence – this is something we must keep up.
The 2nd half for some unknown reason was a totally different story, Stoke got their rolling maul game going and started to dominate the scrums. With the conditions as they were the Wheats were always going to struggle to play there expansive game so it was worrying when Stoke recorded 5.
Heads perhaps dropped a little which they should NEVER do and not long after Stoke scored again from a push over Scrum. The side were still defending well but on the occasions they did get into the Stoke half they gave the ball away to easily.
The Wheats best chance of the half came when Easty put one into the corner for Browny to chase, all he had to do was catch and run in, unfortunately a stoke player was waiting for him with arms crossed so he ended up on his arse before he had even touched the ball. Penalty try? Penalty? Binning? Nope – opposition 22 drop out.
There was a further half chance when Brad broke out of his own 22, got caught by a retreating prop, but popped to Charlie who …… got caught by the other retreating prop.
The game ended 15-6 to Stoke. No doubt the conditions hugely favoured Stoke but all in all it was probably a fair result. This is first game the side has lost in many months and it was not a good feeling, the side will learn from this going forward and put in the extra 10% when needed in future games. But with influential players out such as Skipper Neil; No recognised hooker; AB returning his goods to IKEA; McShame “working” – he is a liar – was spotted at CCTC; self named Suga Dick Daddy away on business; Birchy failing to show despite a brief hope; veteran centre JK back on walking sticks etc etc the 18 players who played did so admirably and shouldn’t be too ashamed of the result.
Going forward a big game against Cov Saras at home this week, we must put in a big hard performance to help get over this loss.
Don’t forget – make yourselves available and reply to messages about availability as soon as you get them!
One quick moan – many of us players for varying reason are disappearing to quickly after the game – make an effort to hang around for a couple of swift ones, post match banter and delicious hot dog.
Six Nations Games – will all be shown at club in town – everyone get there! We’ll make sure Tele / Screen is all up & running and that Bacon Fries are all stocked up.
- Saturday 02 Feb – v Wales 16:30KO; we have a pool game that week but will make sure it’s at home / local so we all wrapped up ready for KO.
- Sunday 10 Feb – v Italy 14:30KO – possible Champagne breakfast if enough interest is shown.
- Saturday 23 Feb – v France 20:00KO; again pool match for us that day so possible all dayer / inter club golf championship. Any other ideas?
- Saturday 08 March – v Scotland 15:15KO; we are playing Cov Tech so will try & get an early KO. All Uni players to note this weekend & return from Uni to play for us (Will O, Trussy, Birchy etc etc)
- Saturday 15 March – v Ireland 15:00KO; we have a friendly this day so will get an early KO sorted.
Photos from the Warwickians game are also now on then website – blame Neil H for no report – he is a Loser.
MOTM: Tough call, but Paul H played superbly & did a great job in the 2 shirt, especially considering he played 60mins with a suspected broken hand (skipper Hodgkiss to note – you can play with minor injuries)
DOTD: Weaver for leaving his mates in the sh&t by going off injured.
- Andy H – 7/10 – true commitment and “fell over” a few times when Stoke were mauling.
- Paul H – 7.5/10 – hopefully the move to 2 will prolong his career!
- Joe Loach – 7/10 – not given much chance with ball in hand due to conditions but faultless once again/
- Ross – 7/10 – more tackles & played well when moved into the back row (there was a definite look of relief when the switch was made); although bottled tackling the opposition 8 stone winger.
- Haddo – 7.25/10 – everywhere doing everything. Shirt is his if he playes like this every week.
- Gillam – 7/10 – in the 1st half was the Gillam of old – snaffling some great ball & some great tackles. Lost interest in the 2nd half?
- Weaver – N/A/10 – GAY.
- Si H – 7.25/10 – made the 1st tackle of the game, set the standard and didn’t stop. Tired a little in the 2nd half but has now given up the smokes for the 52nd time so fitness will return shortly.
- Dean – faultless as always.
- The Beast – 7.25/10 – all aspects of kicking game top draw, put his body on the line tackling and gave the referee some useful constructive criticsm (luckily he did this post game so didn’t have eat any humble pie this week)
- Browny – 7/10 – little chance or opportunity to do anything. A miserable day for the wingers
- Charlie – 7/10 – again did nothing wrong other than captain the side to their 1st loss of the season
- Brad – 7/10 – an equally miserable day for the centres with little ball but defence was superb and did best to get involved.
- Long Man – 7/10 – not given ball at all! Hopefully will stick with it!
- Wardy – 7/10 – not tested at all but got through the 80mins so will be back next week
- Scan – 7.25/10 – came on after 5mins and looked to get involved and tackled well around the fringes.
- Beno – 7/10 – came on at half time due to illness but defended with usual passion and cleared lines well on a couple of occasions.
- Carl – N/A/10 – came on with 30mins left but took a beating that ended in stitches after only a few mins.
RFU.com 
Search
