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Didcot Seconds bring home the win

Didcot Seconds bring home the win

Lee Massie24 Oct 2016 - 09:18
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Didcot IIs away to Wycombe IVs.

Match report from Mike King.

Both teams started with 14 men, but with no front row, Wycombe forced uncontested scrums on us from the off. Our poor reaction to the change in tactics put us under pressure in the first half, as Wycombe took an early lead after reclaiming the kick off and receiving possession after our knock on. They crossed in the corner, 5-0. We put together some phases with our scratch side, recycling quickly until forcing a penalty deep in their half - kicked over by our 10, 5-3. Poor organisation in defence and Wycombe had crossed the line two more times, with Didcot responding with another penalty - 17-6 before Stuart powered through the Wycombe defence, crossing in the corner, 17-11 at the half.

Didcot reorganised their defence in the second half, and came out a different side. Some good work by the backs saw attacks snuffed out and Didcot pressing into the Wycombe 22. The forwards pressured the Wycombe ruck, winning turnover ball and penalties. A quick tap and go saw Stuart tackled before the line, before quick recycling and quicker hands put Jacob over in the corner. Unconverted, Wycombe led 17-16.

A passage of broken play ended on the 70th minute with a penalty to Didcot, kicked over by Paul to give Didcot the lead for the first time. Ten minutes to go and a poor line out gave Wycombe possession, a mazy run by their 9 crossing over, but unable to convert - 22-19.

With seven minutes to go, Didcot did not let their heads dip, and from the kick off pressured the Wycombe receiver, winning the turnover. Quick hands and Stuart, nursing a bruised rib, stormed through the defence, put on the afterburners and crossed in the corner. 22-24 with four minutes to go. From the kick off a strong run by the 10 broke through the Wycombe defence, quick hands passing the ball to Jacob who took two of the Wycombe players on but unable to cross. Quick recycling brought the ball out to Paul who wasn't to be denied this time, and the ten scored our bonus point try 22-29.

With a minute to play, all that was left was to reclaim the kick off, keep it in the hands, and from a resulting Wycombe fumble kick the ball into touch; Didcot win.

Man of the match Stuart Goodenough, with honourable mentions to New Cookie, Dave Acarnley, Toby, Mario, Ant K, Ant A, Jay, Aiden, Dobbie, and those already mentioned in the report.

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