Firsts leave Buckingham empty handed

Wallingford kicked off 2018 with a tough away trip to league high flyers Buckingham. In selection, several regulars were missing from the team which defeated Reading Abbey in their last outing with a completely re-jigged backline.

In the early exchanges Buckingham asserted themselves in the Wallingford 22 and applied some strong pressure. A Wallingford error gave Buckingham a scrum 5m out and despite the away side having some dominance in this area, the Buckingham 8 broke away to score. The try awarded despite Wallingford feeling that their defenders were obstructed by the referee (5-0).

Buckingham continued to dominate possession and crossed a second time in the first 20mins as their prop ran a great angle to crash over, the try converted (12-0).

The second 20 saw Wallingford grow into the game, retaining more possession and territory. They put Buckingham under increasing pressure particularly up front but the Buckingham defence held firm until Carl Tappin crashed over from short range, Dawes converting (12-7). Into the final 10 minutes of the first half and more pressure inside the Buckingham 22 saw the hosts conceded a penalty which Dawes converted to bring the halftime score to 12-10.

As the second half kicked off, both teams were very much in the game and it was Wallingford who started the better, continuing where they left off in the first half. After some continued pressure, Buckingham conceded a penalty and were pushed back 10 for dissent allowing Dawes a kick at goal however his attempt drifted wide.

This spurred Buckingham into action as they came back strongly and a fine break saw them cross out wide, conversion missed (17-10). Buckingham had their tails up and some sustained pressure in the Wallingford 22 saw the away side concede a penalty which was easily converted (20-10). As Wallingford pushed downfield to try and secure at least a point for all of their hard work, Buckingham broke out and crossed again in the corner, this time converting well from out wide (27-10).

In the final 10 Wallingford saw themselves inside the Buckingham 22 for a number of phases as they hammered at the try line looking for a way back into the game but the Buckingham defence held firm to see the game out.

Wallingford felt they deserved at least a losing bonus point from the game but left empty handed which Buckingham claimed all 5 points.

Next week will see the return of a number of players as Wallingford face Drifters at the 'Croft.