On a mild and windy February afternoon, Wheatley stepped onto the field for possibly the hardest game of their season so far against lead leaders Hungerford, who with victory would clinch the league title. Wheatley were joined by some new additions including three of Max’s friends (I was shocked too), and a new centre Sanda who had defected from Quin’s for want of greener pastures.

Wheatley lost the toss and bravely elected to play into the wind for the first half and showed their intentions straight from the off with a try in the first five minutes, after a good break and awareness from the backs, and some great support runs from the forwards who rounded of the break with a try.

Wheatley’s second try was scored by someone in purple and then this was followed by an interception try from debuting fly-half Jordan.

The fourth try for Wheatley was started by a clever kick form Irish Jonny, who proceeded to chase his kick and then rip the ball from the opposition receiver, offload to Dave and then to Ollie who showed a clean pair of heels to the Hungerford wing to score under the posts. This try was so good it warranted 35 photos of the 96 on the website. Possibly because the photographer came on in the second half (but that’s not important).

However, the second half saw Hungerford rally and Wheatley pay for the lack of focus. Hungerford’s first was scored by perhaps the only player older than Wheatley captain Peter Ramsdale in the entirety of Oxfordshire, to the shock of both himself and Wheatley, after a pick and go blind. This shock so great, Wheatley conceded another try in quick succession. Courtesy of the Hungerford scrum-half who managed to find a whole in the Wheatley backline.

Brought back to reality, Wheatley responded with a try for debutant Charlie, and Ollie got his second. But this apparently angered the gods, who saw it fit to punish both teams and supporters with a 10 minuet volley hail. Jonny in an attempt to appease the gods asked the ref to stop play, and in doing so a likely Wheatley try. It was rightly deemed it fit to yellow card Jonny and award Wheatley a scrum, which somehow finished in a try for Hungerford. But Wheatley were to get the final score when Jordan broke the line again and put Ollie away finishing a simple 2-on-1.

Overall, it was a great competitive match, hard fought by both sides. But ultimately Wheatley came out victorious, and Hungerford would have to keep the bubbly on ice until their next fixture, much to the delight of Mr. Ramsdale Snr.

Man of the Match: Jim – all round good stuff
Dick of the day: Jonny – having a sense of morality
MotM/DotD: Ollie – because

Words - Ollie Tyson