After last week’s result, the game against Littlemore became more important. Prior to kick off you could feel the tense atmosphere throughout the squad. Wheatley had fielded another strong team for the second week running with some changes throughout the side due to injury, for example James ‘penalty machine’ Butler and captain Poochie (who became squad mascot Hans).

The game started off at a high intensity and unquestionable commitment with Wheatley racking up the phases within Littlemore’s twenty two, due some startling forwards work in particular Jack Smith gaining yards with some ferocious crash balls. Unfortunately, Wheatley were unable to capitalise from this relentless attack which resulted in a ‘dubious’ cross field kick from Gav Stanton.

Nevertheless, this did not dampen Wheatley’s spirit as the defence and counter rucking was on top form resulting in a lot of turn over ball. During the half Littlemore had some half chances which they didn’t capitalise from due to dropping the ball countless times, however this should not overshadow the mammoth defensive effort from Wheatley. This was optimised by Luke Aguis’s huge try saving tackle when Littlemore broke the line.

Although the first half was fast and furious neither team was able to put any points on the board, but that did not affect the overall enjoyment and excitement of the first half and showed that training sessions were having a real benefit on the team.

At half time a couple of changes were made Dingle on for Gav Stanton at 10, Andy Tippet on for Noop to go 9 (Lil moved to the wing) and Jack Smith off due to hip injury who was replaced by Joe Hyde (Dougie moving to 6 and Hyde to Prop).

The half started with Adam Muir scoring very early on by Dingle whizzing the ball out wide through the backs for Muir to score and Dingle slotting the conversion. Although, this was short lived by Littlemore scoring in the corner by finally catching the ball and capitalising on a mismatch in the defence, due to the difficulty of the kick the conversion was missed.

The game continued in the same manner as first half with the Wheatley back row being prominent around the park and the backs linking some nice play. Wheatley then gained a kickable penalty which Dingle converted to make the score 10 – 5 to Wheatley.

Wheatley kept turning the screw on a tiring Littlemore team, and scored a another try when a classic Muir run resulted in a 2 v 1 situation where he PASSED to Luke Aguis to run in the try, for Dingle to kick the conversion. The game continued with the same intensity and resulted in what can only be described as a masterpiece of ‘speed, strength and being able to stay ‘on’ the pitch by Nick Banton who used this mercurial talent to score in the corner. This was a result from Jack Atkinson gathering the ball at a Littlemore lineout to set up a phase. From this the backs were unleashed ending up with Banton scoring, unfortunately the conversion wasn’t successful.

The game soon ended with the score 22 – 5 and was a true display of commitment, intensity and teamwork by Wheatley who redeemed themselves after the previous weeks disappointment.

A quick mention for Poochie who had a ‘monstrous’ performance as linesman and displayed some controversial views on devolution in at the club after the game.

Key stats
• Muir passed the ball more in the game than the whole of last season.
• A blue mohican is a true display of commitment to a team.