Wheatley started on the back foot with ill discipline costing the hosts 6 points in the opening 6 minutes Lewis Stacey the provider , breakdown infringements seem to cost Wheatley with side entry and off the feet the main cause, Wheatley were let off the hook having conceded further penalties,

0-6

The home team struggled to find their rhythm but on 8 minutes things began to click, from a line out inside the visitors 22 Wheatley's pack secured a solid platform from which the backs could play, with slick handling the Wheatley attack found space for winger Toby Butler to open up the defensive line and go under the posts, Aaron Laman added the conversion, 7-6,

With Wheatley now hitting their stride more of the same in sewed strong direct running proving to be the key to unlocking the Abingdon defence, Wheatley also upped the pace allowing their faster backs to exploit the space in front of them, more quick hands and keen running saw full back Iain Downer to side step and elude the pursuing defence. with the conversion added. 14-6

Abingdon hit back straight away with the home team having given away a penalty and allowing Stacey to kick for territory, the following line out was adjured to have been haunted illegally and Wheatley blindside Dan Bland sent to the sin bin for 10 minutes. Abingdon opted for the scrum with the extra man showing Wheatley were unable to hold the shove, the Abingdon 8 Jamie Lochrie touching the ball down, Stacey adding the conversion 14-13.

Wheatley eager to gain control benefited from some Abingdon infringements with the visitors being constantly caught offside Arron Laman was able to keep the pressure on and kick deep for territory, Wheatley food themselves in the same positions as Abingdon had 3 minutes earlier, this time the Abingdon prop sent to the bin for collapsing the maul.

Abingdon held the relentless Wheatley attack at bay almost for the remainder of the half but on the stroke of half time a Wheatley scrum now with more stability allowed number 8 James Butler room to pick and go slip the pass to Jack Taylor who was able to show a clean pair of heels to his opposite number and go under the posts. Laman with the extras, 21-13

Half Time

In time hindered fashion Wheatley took their foot off the gas and allowed Abingdon periods of possession the home side defence stood fast and didn't allow anything to pass, Sanda Mpanza was soon on the receiving end of a yellow card for a high tackle, this initiated some changes with James Butler coming off and Matt Gibb coming on, with more energy Wheatley began to show flashes of play that had yielded success earlier in the game, further changes saw Simon Chadbone come into hooker and Jordan Hook come in at full back, straight away the fresh legs were able to pend abingdon up, with a now customary run from Hook and quick recycling gave the back line space, Aaron Laman found himself with room to go over for his first try of the game and converted it himself. 28-13

Abingdon unperturbed continued to look of the bonus point and pressed the defence hard, eventually the defence broke and allowed George Law to drive over Stacey missing the penalty, 28-18.

Wheatley would have the final say again proving that quick play was the way forward, moving the ball quickly with smog running from forwards notably Alex Gabbidon, the home team again found themselves within touching distance of the line, Abingdon were able to turn the ball over but a poor clearance kick allowed Iain Downer to apply the pressure once more, Again quick recycling found Joe Taylor in space and was able to grab a try, Laman missing the conversion. 33-18.

In flashes a great performance from Wheatley and grading a bonus point win, some great running from the forwards but uncustomary poor set piece. Wheatley possible could have added to their tally but we will put the poor hands down to the sub zero conditions however practice will make perfect and more work in the area is needed.