Old Wheats 53 – 6 Coventry Saracens
New Shirts = New Wheats???
A pigless wheats looked forward to this game, not for the rugby, but the arrival of the new style kit to mark the 80th season. Many old heads were shaking with disapproval at the move away from the bumble bee style shirts.
Off the back of 2 defeats, the side had talked much of a resurgence and passion, but could they deliver???? Would heads stay up???? Would the past be forgotten???? Would players stop walking around the park leaving all the work to 2 or 3 players????
Cometh the hour, cometh the shirts ….. a massive thanks to sponsors HIA INTERNATIONAL.
A blustering wind blew up field at the Stade on a blistering cold day.
With several injuries to contend with (Matt Brown, broken & pinned ankle; Ben Weaver; merticalfous f&cked & braced; Richard East, ankle ligaments; Adam Mason, back and shoulder; Ross Lacy, broken thumb; The Pig, lost feeling in 2 fingers due to playing with his own hole too much; AB, shoulder ligaments;) the side were without 7 1st team players and with McShame likely(?) to be text book no show on his last game before travelling to Aus for 18months the ranks were depleted a little, but strength and depth of the club showed with the starting line up looking as tasty as a dripping wet chicken thigh. Andy H and Loachy packed down either side of the better Weaver who manned up in the 2 shirt once again. Adam James returned from injury to the 2nd row for his 1st league start, adding much needed bulk and strength. Kev Edwards also made his 1st start of the season in the 8 shirt, planning to show the pig how it should be done …..
The backs line up had some familiarity with Dean and Brad at ½ backs, JK lined up in the centre with Wardy (again, 1st game of the season), Jas & Stevie J moved to the wings with Andy Lewis wearing 15.
Playing against the wind, the side started very strongly, with some great power play up front. The 1st try came courtesy of a Hands catch and leg it from the back of a lineout to dot down under the posts, Stevie J (looking a bit pale after previous evening birthday celebration) bouncing the conversion off the cross bar. Saras used the wind cleverly and with 2 visits to the Wheats half came away with 2 well struck penalties. 5-6.
The forwards really were back to the form of last season, great pace around the field, rucking of the highest order and generally more commitment to the cause. The Saras 2 jumper was once again a handful but Wheats were competing and all 8 upfront were firing.
With a scrum awarded on the 5m line, the pack showed confidence (rightly so) and went for the pushover, in the end a penalty try was awarded under the posts.
Before the end of the half, several scoring opportunities were missed with the last pass or support play not quite clicking. Aitkins did manage to record a well worked 5 to make it 19-6 at the break.
For once, the half time team talk could be relatively positive, with just a few minor tweaks needed (a decent ball wouldn’t have gone a miss!).
With the wind behind them the Wheats had a good 2nd half, although perhaps not as strong as the 1st. Several good, well worked scores were recorded. Aitkins ran in a classy ¾ lengths, and recorded his hatrick by showing he had not only pace but power to plough over the line with defenders holding on. The cold weather had revived Steve J who was cleverly put in space by Wardy to finish with class. Dean and Andy worked the blindside well (although Lewis would probably disagree), a neat chip from Lewis and Dean nearly popped the ball over the line by falling on it. Hands showed some pace again to beat a winger to the corner for his 2nd. The barrel completed the scoring after some good hands through the backs.
Saras did cause problems and spent a period on the Wheats line, but some good hard defending just about kept them out. Saras were dangerous with ball in hand and there pack were as tough as any.
A hard game for both sides, but played with the right temperament and a good result for the Wheats.
The side should not look back now, and move on with confidence that has previously been unexplainably lacking. Stay off the pies too!
This week – Wellsbourne away – will be very tough again. Respond on availability asap. Everyone be available! If demand calls, we can record the England game and watch if after at club in town.
MOTM: everyone was superb, stand out performances came from Kev, Hands, McShame, Loachy and Aitkins – who just about gets the nod.
DOTD: we will have to abandon this award soon if somebody doesn’t do something to warrant it soon!
Player Ratings:
1. AH: 1st class performance in the tight.
2. GW: a true man! Keeps rolling back the years when wheeled out.
3. JL: great carrying and off-loads.
4. JM: quick around the park, top performer.
5. AJ: gave the scrum much needed base. Solid.
6. SH: text book passion and commitment.
7. CH: very quick and great hits again.
8. KE: Some great work in every department.
9. DB: Slippy ball(?) = more than 1 dodgy pass (if pass is the right word?)
10. BA: all round talent, pace and skill
11. JW: made great use of ball given, always makes yards.
12. JK: some jinky runs and back to solid best in defence.
13. MW: classy use of ball putting others in great space
14. SJ: woke up and added to ever increasing try tally.
15. AL: great vocals from the back, solid in D and dangerous in A.
16. JG: not much chance , but everyone loves him! – even if he does slap back lineout ball
17. CD: again, not given enough time but solid as always.
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