At a balmy 25 degrees conditions were perfect for lawn bowls; sadly, the sport in question was rugby. Having so far lost one and won one league game, Wheatley needed a win to consolidate their entry into the BBO premiership. An array of injuries meant that the team had changed significantly from the previous week against Littlemore, particularly in the new-look back row where Phil (of Rugrats fame) made his season debut, but such is the strength and depth of Wheatley’s squad that the side was not weakened by these changes.

The game began at a fast pace, with Chipping Norton surrendering territory to an aggressive Wheatley, ultimately conceding a penalty under the posts which Duncan Dingle slotted to put the home side up 3-0. Wheatley. Wheatley continued to assert their dominance throughout the first half, with the pack having banished the ghosts of Abingdon and completely outplaying Chipping Norton at the set-piece. Wheatley stuck to their game plan well, with the forwards running controlled and aggressive attacking play off the back of the rucks. Reincarnated as a back row, man of the match Dougie Aris was a force to be reckoned with, bowling over at least two of the opposition every time he ran at them.

Meanwhile, the back line were using the quality ball being sent their way to great effect, running rings around the opposition both in the centres and out wide. Dan Rule used a quick turn of pace to gas around the outside and into the corner, while Luke Agius linked up with Leon Westerman’s hilarious piece of through-the-legs skill to smash straight through under the posts. A single conversion made it 15-0 at half time, and Wheatley seemed to have the game firmly under control.
Wheatley began the second half in a similar manner: Chipping Norton seemed at a loss to contain the pace of Adam Muir, who continually broke their first line of defence and forced a scrambling defence. This ultimately led to Muir scoring a try early in the half, and setting up a second, magnificently finished by Pete ‘Noop’ Knipe.

Although at 25-0 the outcome of the match was virtually assured, to their credit Chipping Norton then managed to exert some pressure on Wheatley, and stem the flow of tries against them. During a period of sustained pressure in the Wheatley 22 a well-worked penalty from five yards out allowed the away side to score their only points of the match: 25-5.

Not content to let them have the last word, Wheatley then besieged Chipping Norton in their half. In a desperate attempt to clear their lines, Chippy sent a high garryowen kick in the direction of Noop who astutely read the situation, and with an exceptional level of skill used a combination of shoulder and head to deflect the ball in exactly the direction he meant to. Honest. Chipping Norton weren’t out of the woods yet, and some great support play by Andy Tippet allowed him to score Wheatley’s final try, which was converted by Dingle to give a final score of 32-5.

The well-fought victory came at a price, however. The unseasonably hard ground took its toll, with Phil joining twin sister Lil among the ranks of the injured. Luckily there is no match next weekend, and the squad can get some much needed rest to prepare for the rest of the season.

Overall it was an impressive performance by Wheatley, where the quality of ball provided by the dominant forwards allowed the backs the freedom to attack. Lovely stuff.

Words: Noop