This Saturday, The purple men from Wheatley (population c4,000) return to league action with a trip across the border to Milton Keynes (population c265,000).
Newly promoted Wheatley are currently sitting top of the league, with 3 wins from 4 whereas newly relegated Milton Keynes are sitting in 8th, with a win, a draw and a loss to their name, having played the early season favourites of Didcot, Tadley and Slough. Past meetings between these two sides are few and far between, having only shared the same league once in their history, back in the 15/16 season. Those two games saw the Disgraced (and now injured) former Captain Pooch lead his side out to an 18-45 and 64-0 losses en route to relegation, whilst Milton Keynes had the opposite fate, getting promoted in 2nd place behind Gosford.
A couple of faces will be missing from the Team bus this week but as a testament to how far Wheatley have come in the last season or so, the selection committee still faced headaches and a full squad (plus the 20 2nd team players staying at home) will make the trip full of confidence.
Captain Alex Acklam (for those of you who remember him…) will lead from the front alongside Peter Mitchell at Hooker. Alex Gabbidon will take time out from trying to scam charities to complete the front row. With Nick Banton still moaning that he hurts and Jack Atkinson moaning about being a second row, the venerable Simon Chadbone has managed to again pick himself and will slot alongside the slithery Matt Gibb in the second row. Daniel Bland returns from Fat Camp to start at number 6, whilst the last games MOTM Fraser Petterson will start at 7. Second Row Jack Atkinson fills the number 8 shirt after it was decided than having Atkinson and Gabbidon in too close a proximity could caused a black hole of negativity.
Jack Taylor will hope to last more than 3 minutes in the 9 shirt this week with A.Aron Laman starting in the 10 shirt. With Sanda Mpanza and Joe Hobdell out of action with injuries, Player of the month and mr big time himself, James Neal reverts to his ‘favoured’ position of 12, whilst debutant Luke Janes slots into the outside centres role. Speedster Dan rule will look to make a mockery of his opposite number on the wing again, whilst Joe Taylor will look to make a mockery of himself when he turns up (late) in his sister Jeans again as he starts on the other wing. After a season of making up for Sanda’s missed tackles, Jordan Hook has paid the price and will miss the fixture with a hand injury sustained during some alone time. In the place of Hook, George Turner will take the 15 shirt, wondering how a ‘bit of fun before I move’ in preseason got him here.
On the bench and providing the front row cover will be Ezra Rees alongside the alleged source of Joe Taylor’s lateness, Caillin Taylor. Completing the bench is James Butler, probably adding to his collection rivalled only by Clinton Cards.
Only a season ago these two teams had a league buffer between them and Wheatley were ringing around on Friday to complete the team. The fact that Wheatley are fielding two complete and strong squads this weekend is a credit to the hard work of the coaching staff and committee, but the fact that they go in as equals is something that everyone in the club should be proud of.