Wheatley fought back to earn a loosing bonus point from what was a pretty lack lustre performance at Abingdon in the BBO Premiership on Saturday afternoon.

With the first of the 3pm kick offs Wheatley had hoped for a somewhat better afternoon of rugby in the BBO Premiership, unfortunately Wheatley were unable to produce a performance to parelel this seasons work ethic and will hope this was the low point of the 2017/18 season

Wheatley received the kick with the wind at their backs, Abingdon came out of the blocks and the visitors soon found themselves on the back foot having to soak up Abingdon's 10 man game for large periods, Wheatley had opportunity to open Abingdon up but too frequently chose the wrong option either kicking the ball away or spawning the overlap, Jordan Hook on rout to the try line

Abingdon will feel somewhat aggrieved having had a clear try disallowed after a well executed driving maul was clearly grounded with the ref apparently unsighted, this seemed to frustrate the home side and ill discipline crept in with Wheatley now beginning to play Jordan Hook was on hand to unlock the Abingdon defence and added his customary ghosting running style to pull clear and open the scoring with Aaron Laman adding the conversion. 0-7

Wheatley again had opportunity in the 1st half with Jack Smith and Joe Taylor both getting behind the defensive line but lack of support and poor ball retention meant that the purple men couldn't extend their lead.

Wheatley were dealt a blow with James Neal having to leave the field with a stinger Jake Durbin stepping in at 2 and Simon Chadbone moving to 8. Wheatley conceded a penalty and on this occasion Abingdon opted for the posts adding 3 points. 8-7

It was abingdon who were next to score having exhausted the Wheatley defence and scoring out wide but and adding the conversion, 8-7.
Wheatley at this point did manage to string some play together and were rewarded with a penalty on the stroke of halftime Aaron Laman adding the 3 points 8-10.

It was Abingdon who struck first in the second half with Wheatley unable to scramble in defence giving away an easy 7 points. 16-10. From the restart Wheatley were unable to find their tempo and allowed the home side to dictate play with the line out unable to react to the Abingdon 5 man Wheatley succumbed to a driving maul conceding a try. 21-10

Stinger James Neal left the field injured

Wheatley came to life with but left themselves to much to do in the closing 3 minutes of play a quick tap and go allowed Jack Atkinson to penetrate deep into the 22 quick ball gave Josh Hillsdon a try on his return after a long lay of with injury. a rushed drop kick sailed wide with the score ending 21-15.

Credit to Abingdon for a performance worthy of a mid table spot and not associated to a team at the bottom of the league, Wheatley's resources were stretched this week with several players unavailable and the lengthy season taking its toll.