Witney 4s v Wheatley 2s

Match report 2nd XV

After what seemed to be an eternity of no rugby in everyone's life, the rugby season was finally upon us.
The team gathered in the changing rooms and with Five, Busted and S Club Seven blasting, oh wait, that was later on in the evening… Wheatley had 15 shirts hanging up ready and the players were buzzing. (Yes, the seconds are getting organised)

After stepping out on a well-trimmed pitch with a light dusting of sunshine the conditions were perfect for quick rugby, even with Max, Keir and Joe H playing.

As the squad started warming up, well everyone but Keir who thought having a chat with the referee as to who was the best boy band was better use of the time.

Wheatley lost the toss and made the decision to receive and playing into the sun. With this, the defensive structure was put to the test and a little rust was on show and within 5 minutes Witney were up by 5 points.

After a quick Ramsdale type chat Wheatley spent approximately 90% in the oppositions half. It became quickly clear that Witney were very committed to the rucks which did not bother Wheatley as they looked to utilise their quick backs.

After a series of high tackles, off the ball charges and discussion about hangbags, Wheatley seemed to be afraid of scoring as Callum, Fraser, Charlie and David fell short of the line a number times. This was frustrating as after a mistake Witney went on to run in a 2nd try.

With the score locked in at 10-0 just before halftime the matriarch, Dave, put a cheeky chip and chase through and with everyone in awe, he slipped through, collected the perfect bounce and went over the line.
All of the sudden you could feel the spirits rise.

As the second half began Wheatley once again took control and after discovering that the Witney could not handle the pressure of a quick running, passing and offloading better then SBW backline the next Wheatley score came. Charlie not just stepping his way around one but what seemed like half a team went right under the sticks.

12-10 the tides had shifted.

After numerous offences the referee warned Witney that one more off the ball or high tackle he will send a player to think about his mistake in the sin bin – A full 30 seconds later the opposition fly half thought to test this and spend 10 min watching on the sideline.

After Wheatley scored a 3rd try under the sticks the game seemed to be safe at 19-10. However, after numerous missed opportunities by the Wheatley, Witney scored a gift of a try to take the game to 19-17 game with 14 min left on the clock.

With 5 minutes left and a scrum on the opposition 22 Wheatley looked for a try to secure the win. The pack thought the scum was lost but the referee granted a penalty to Wheatley for an offside offence. 3 minutes to go Wheatley kicked for the line out and could smell the victory. Witney spoiled the throw but knocked the ball on resulting in another scrum. With the captain Max shouting something that resembled the English language the pack went on to win the scrum. Callum went over the line to the cheers of the Wheatley bench However, the ref called for another scrum. Wheatley won this again and with boot to ball the game was won.

Wheatley came to win knowing that everyone had to put in a shift due to the lack of subs and fancy a handy squad who appeared to have another team ready as replacements.

Man of the Match , Callum and the Dick of the Day, Keir.