Firsts Lose at Bogey Team High Wycombe

On a blustery day in High Wycombe, Wallingford travelled the short stretch down the M40 missing several regulars, namely Captain Dawes, Carl Tappin, Jackson Sayce and some flanker called Norris.
Despite that, Wallingford were still able to field a strong XV, with Billy Sayers coming back from Uni to step in at scrum-half, whilst Pete McKinley made a return to the side as he takes a break from digging holes.
Wallingford made a bright start, with plenty of possession, but struggled to break a well organised Wycombe defence, before the hosts worked their way into the game with the usual forward heavy game plan.
They opened the scoring with a trademark catch and drive, before Wallingford came back strongly. With breaks from Botting and Chapman taking play into the hosts twenty-two, they set siege to the Wycombe line. Despite repeated infringement on their own line, the referee refused to issue a card, and the Wallingford pressure counted for nothing as a double movement infringement helped Wycombe clear their lines.
Wallingford continued to attack, but after an erroneous penalty against the attacking team on the Wycombe line, a quick tap caught Wallingford napping and Wycombe proceeded to run the length of the pitch to score an excellent try.
Despite dominating possession, Wallingford found themselves 15 nil down, but they finished the half well, as Tom Swainston twisted and turned to reach for the line for a well taken try. A simple penalty in front of the posts meant that the half ended 15-8 to the hosts.
The second half started badly for the visitors, as they conceded a soft try under the posts, as Wycombe exerted some early pressure. A second try shortly after gave the hosts breathing space, and Wallingford were always chasing the game from this point.
Despite seven back to back penalties conceded, the referee, who was struggling with a calf injury, refused to issue a card, as Wycombe killed Wallingford ball by any means necessary. Wycombe's defence saw off any further Wallingford attacks, as the game ended 29-8 to the hosts.

This was a frustrating game for Wallingford. Wycombe were going into the game without a win, but as often is the way in this fixture, Wycombe were able to call on a full strength team for the first time this season, and it showed. Wallingford still had enough to win this game, with plenty of ball and territory, but they lacked a cutting edge in attack, with only moments of individual skill breaking the resolute Wycombe defence. There were still several strong performances, with Billy Sayers and Ian Jeffreys excellent as ever, but MoM was awarded by the hosts to Nathan Chapman, who was one of the few attacking threats for the visitors.