Old Wheatleyans 10 – 10 Warwickians
Atkins Heaven
A thrilling encounter on a boggy pitch ended in relief for the large crowd at Stade Wheats.
Several enforced changes due to holidays, injuries & general gayness lead to the team selection announcement having to be postponed until 1400hrs. Anticipation & speculation was rife leading up to the hour.
Jas Wetton was beaming at taking the Mike Tindall Nr 12 Shirt. Just 3 positions in three matches now for the utility back / forward. With Mhone making his season debut in the back-row, Ant starting his first league game on the wing, Atkins returning to the backline & Murph only having the 3 stellas, things looked positive for the Wheats before ko.
Full back Marc Rubery showed early alertness when the Warwickian full back chipped over his head Rubery manoeuvred the biggest side step of the day into his path, the Warwickian 15 took exception to this and thought he would take his frustration out on Marc’s head with his fists – bad move – little did he know that Matt “Bruno” Brown would intervene with some real haymakers, what pursued was generally hand bags at 10 paces although with most of the 30 players involved the referee did well to miss what was going on and award the Warwickians player who had carried on playing during the “big fight” with 5 points. Most of the Wheats players looked shocked that the game had actually carried on whilst some serious pushing & shoving was occurring.
The Wheats generally took control of the game in the first half playing against the elements, the scrum was solid & Adam Brittain was dominating the lineout. However, sustained periods of pressure kept ending with more & more silly mistakes letting them down at the last minute, these mistakes were punished with some accurate kicking by the Warwickian 10 who had an excellent game with the boot. During a brief spell in the Wheats 22, Matt Rice decided to pull the 160 stone Warwickian pack down onto his leg – not a great move, there was real worry for a few minutes, once again the referee did well to miss the fact that most of the Wheats players & a good proportion of the Warwickians players stopped to check Matt was ok, meanwhile Warwickians scored 5 more. Half time 10-0.
Umanga Wetton was moved into the front row at half time & Betts bought on into the row, once again Wheats were generally dominant although Warwickians had brief spells of pressure with some excellent rucking, for once the Wheats defended with passion & Warwickians became frustrated.
Mid-way through the second half sustained pressure led to a try under the posts for Joe-the-power-house-Loach. Aitkins conversion good, 10-7. The Wheats won plenty of possession & the backs looked dangerous with their 20m long passes to thin air. Mhone was starting to show some game & along with AB led the pack forward, once again mistakes were the difference between scoring & not scoring!! In the last 10 finger nails were becoming increasingly short, Matt Brown made an excellent break from his own 22, upon reaching the opposition 22 he thought it best to ignore the rampaging Aitkins on his left, take the tackle & throw the ball forward, genius! A few minutes later Matt took an excellent line to receive a superb pass from Aitkins, he was in! Unfortunately he forgot to take the ball with him. As the final whistle drew closer it looked more & more likely the Wheats would somehow fail to score, until they were awarded a penalty 35m out, wide on the right. Other than the man himself, most assumed the lively Aitkins would fluff the chance to draw level with the last kick off the game. Up he stood, placed the ball – big run up – welly …….. 10-10 at the final whistle.
The Wheats had lost 2 of their previous league games with the last play of the match, is lady luck starting to smirk on us at last?????
Next league game Atherstone @ home – just for once can everyone please be available!
MOTM: close call between Aitkins & Brown, awarded to AB for his excellent work in the row.
DOTD: close call between bruisers Brown & Rubbery, awarded to C Warn for jumping into a tackle & wandering why the opposition took exception.
1. Andy H (D Keenan 40mins) 2. Murph 3. J Loach 4. Matt Rice (J Betts, 40mins), 5. AB 6. Si H, 7. Gillham 8. Mhone 9. G Weaver 10. B Aitkins 11 C Warn 12. J Wetton 13 M Brown 14. Ant 15. Rubbery Subs not used: 16. Hasto (sorry, we know it was cold, kept himself warm with Bensons)
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