With freezing overnight temperatures, A late pitch inspection gave the green light for the the BBO Championship game to go ahead much to the delight of the Wheatley players (or at least those that made it on time...) eager to play after having to sit out last week.

Wheatley got off to a good start although the low sun was not enhancing the visitors ability under the high ball, with a zero kick off catch percentage in the first half! Still, it wasn’t long before Wheatley's forwards were able to break the gain line and allow Jack Taylor to gas round the blind side and open the scoring. 0-5 Aaron Laman added the conversion 0-7

Wheatley, as if fast becoming a habit, took their foot off the gas and immediately were pegged back by Harwell's strong running forwards, with their pick and go play seeing Harwell over the line. 5-7 missed conversion

Despite calls for the contrary, for the next 15 minutes Wheatley were embroiled in the 8 man game and although the set piece functioned well, Wheatley struggled to deal with the Harwell 8 who continued to break the gain line and put Wheatley under pressure again forcing their way over and add another 5 points. 10-7

This seemed to be what Wheatley needed to apply a little focus and start to pick up the pace. Responding to the call to arms Wheatley were now moving the ball around the park and Harwell struggled to maintain the pace and it wasn’t long before the Home side's indiscipline began to show. A penalty soon followed and Laman added 3, 10-10

Wheatley growing in to the game were able to clear from deep and a very good kick chase Wheatley pegged Harwell deep into their 22. A Knock on followed and with the Wheatley scrum firing on all cylinders, Jack Atkinson picked up well and was able to put Iain Downer in the corner 10-15. Laman added the extras 10-17

Wheatley were now well in control and strong defensive work from Gibb and Bland nullified the Harwell attack. Another kick from deep saw the purple wall apply some pressure to the catch return. Jack Taylor, sensing the panic in the Harwell player called for an inside ball, which the Harwell player duly obliged. A quick 180 and Taylor was able to make the break and (perhaps running out of steam) choose to kick into space. Jordan Hook was the first there and followed it up with a hack of his own allowing Laman to pounce on the loose ball and utilising his skills built up as a footballer, took the ball away from the defender before diving down to add 5 more to his tally, also adding the conversion 10-24

Half Time 10-24

Wheatley rang the changes early in the second half with Neal, Chadbone, Durbin, Petterson and Meredith all entering the arena, a Harwell try soon followed! Fortunately the Harwell kicker was having an off day 15-24

Wheatley soon got back into their stride and were able to build some phase play, and with Harwell running out of players Josh Hillsdon opened up his account in the corner, Laman added 2 more, 15-31

Harwell to their credit weren’t done and seemed to find some of their viking spirit demonstrated earlier in the game and were able to batter their way over to collect the try bonus point but missed the conversion 20-31

Wheatley still had time to produce the try of the match, from just outside their own 22 Jack Taylor unleashed a cross field kick for rugby league convert and stand in winger Liam “Mezz” Meredith to chase. Cheered on by the Vocal Caillin Taylor, Mezz duly accepted the challenge not only taking the catch clean on the halfway but putting in a burst of pace and using the outside of his boot to find space for supporting centre Josh Hillsdon to gather up for his brace! 20-36 Laman missing the conversion.

Final score 20-36

This was in part some of Wheatleys best rugby of the season but in equal measure some of our worst. We really don’t function off the back of an off week and have to settle down before we are firing on all cylinder. Wheatley again demonstrated their strength in depth with some noticeable absentees in Sanda, J Hobdell, Willis, Muir and Smith this week. Next week sees Wheatley host Littlemore and they will need to bring their A game if we are to right a wrong and get the W