Grove III 49-17 Wheatley II

Wheatley 2's headed to bottom of the table Grove with the aim of regaining some winning momentum after a stop-start beginning to the season.

With the prospect of fielding a patched-up back line (plus front and second rows) spirits were lifted after James Bowley made himself available in the 11th hour, consequently easing the pressure on the centre selection and freeing up season debutant Dan to play at fullback.

As Wheatley took to the pitch it was evident that the formidable front row was missing a vital asset, prop Anthony Cortez was enjoying the sights of Wantage as the rest of the team limbered up, nonetheless, and after a quick game of Paper Scissors Stone, the front row was assembled with Pete Ramsdale taking one for the team and propping alongside Jake Durbin and Chris Eggleston, the game was now set to be a thrilling and brutal encounter.

Wheatley started uphill and against the wind, which would serve to be a valid and convenient excuse for a poor start by conceding two early tries in the first 5 minutes, both converted by a suspiciously accurate fly half who maintained a 100% kicking rate throughout the match, though he may have just practiced at some point over the past year.

An aggressive and organised Grove team piled on the pressure making it an impossible task for Wheatley to make any ground, and consequently making our try line familiar territory for the first 20 minutes.

Glimpses of potency were displayed by Wheatley back rows Matt Gibb and the returning Rob Cook who were able to break away and make ground but we're let down by some poor support play and Grove were again on hand to regain possession from the breakdowns and cross the line for their third try of the half.

At this point, and very similar to a warrior arriving to battle, prop Anthony Cortez was seen pulling on his shirt on the touch line, and after putting on the rest of his kit (after bypassing the changing room) he was ready to take to the field, much to the relief of the battered and bruised Pete Ramsdale, and to the dismay of the opposing front row who knew they were now in for a bigger battle. With this new addition Wheatley looked to crank up the pressure, and with some effective kicking by the increasingly confident Rob George at 9, and some strong runs from Toby Pocock on the wing, Wheatley were now able to make their way past the half way line and in to unfamiliar territory, the opposing half.

The momentum picked up and Grove were showing signs of weakness as the ball was passed through the back line from the overpowering Wheatley scrums and out to the centres, unfortunately this new found freedom led to simple handling mistakes and Wheatley were unable to convert this potential in to points, however as the whistle blew for the break, and despite the score board, Wheatley huddled together as the stronger team.

After the obligatory morale-boosting team talk by captain Ramsdale, Wheatley started the second half with intent, instantly piling on the pressure and capitalising on Groves weak front line. At this point the communication between Rob George and fly-half Nick Rowley was now becoming seamless, and after a call of “DSP” the latter received the ball and was able to spot a rare gap in the Grove centres and steam through for Wheatley’s first try of the game (unsurprisingly the call of “DSP” was completely irrelevant) Despite an unsuccessful conversion Wheatley re-gathered knowing this could be the turning point, and after a scrappy ten minutes with both sides losing possession from the rucks Wheatley gathered the ball and found newly positioned centre, Mezz who charged forward, elegantly dropped a shoulder to fool the full back and placed the ball under the posts for Wheatley’s second. Unfortunately a successful conversion was again too much to ask, and though Wheatley were on the up, work was still to be done.

Grove responded well from this with some neat interplay from the centres, but ultimately a lofty kick from the full back, and a wickedly uncharitable bounce in front of the expectant Wheatley full back proved to be the turning point again as Groves nippy winger was on hand to collect and cross the line for a try, and after an impeccable conversion, seemingly putting the game beyond the visitors.

Wheatley still stood defiant, and after another strong scrum the ball was drifted inside to fly-half Nick Rowley who neatly dissected the grove defense to score his second of the game, this one, thankfully converted to bring Wheatley’s tally to a respectable 17.

At this point fitness issues became apparent, with forwards Matt Gibb and Shandy hobbling off with knee/ankle injuries the pressure became too much for Wheatley, and as Grove piled on the pressure with another try, the away side were happy to hear the final whistle.

All in all Wheatley fielded a team full of talent, intent and desire, however consistency remains the be the major issue, also a car with SatNav wouldn’t hurt.

The 2’s have a welcomed break next week before taking on Harwell 2’s on November 1st.

Man of the match – Anthony Cortez

Words by – James Bowley