Sat 5 Oct 2019, 15:00
Witney faced a top 4 side for the first time this season, once again missing a few players and with a large crowd swelled by those attending the chairman’s lunch an anticipation was in the air
Wycombe were under pressure from the kick-off when the ball was stripped in a tackle and this allowed Witney to go through the phases. Using both forwards and backs Witney made inroads into the twenty-two but were penalised for sealing off just before the line. Wycombe cleared their lines but were soon on the back foot again when a knock on presented Witney the ball. After some strong carries there was space on the outside and an accurate kick into the corner allowed Rhys Morgan to gather the ball and score 5-0. Wycombe hit back with a penalty from Greg Butters when Witney were penalised for crossing in midfield 5-3. Witney replied immediately when a knock on presented them with a scrum on the ten metre line. The ball was fed out to the backs and some accurate passing put Rhys Morgan into space. He was well tackled but was adjudged not to have been held and got back up to score 12-3. Penalties were hurting the visitors and another penalty this time for leaving the scrum early gave Witney field position. After winning the lineout Wycombe’s defence held out well and Witney were penalised for hands on the floor. Just before half time the home team had another chance to score but once again good defence and the referee’s whistle meant Wycombe survived and went into the break 12-3.
Half Time 12-3
Wycombe started the second half strongly and an excellent break from Jamie Vowles took play into the Witney half. Unfortunately, after some promising phases the visitors knocked on presenting the ball back to the home team. Wycombe were penalised at a scrum and Witney saw the opportunity to go quickly. A good break from the backs took play up to the five metre line, Wycombe scrambled well but were penalised at a ruck and Harry Tanner received a yellow card for going off his feet. Witney now playing with belief saw Arron Lambourne score and convert . After an excellent kick from Osian Lewis Witney were reduced to fourteen players when Ryan harris was yellow carded for no hands in the tackle and this presented Wycombe with good field position. A knock on in midfield gave the home team possession To make matters worse the visitors were penalised at the scrum and then another ten metres for talking back to the referee. Although Wycombe hadn’t created many try scoring opportunities they had defended manfully against much bigger opposition and with five minutes to go the score was still 17-3. Witney opted for the scrum and showed their power with a push over try 24-3 with Rob Coe dotting down Witney now heads up and pushed Wycombe back again and Jack Birks was able to Dart through and score with lamboune converting again
Full Time 31-3
Time line
5mis Witney try Morgan
10mins HW penalty Greg Butters
23mins Witney try Morgan Lambourne conversion
48mins Witney try and Lambourne
75mins Witney Try Coe conversion Lambourne
79 Mins Witney Try Birks Conversion Lambourne
Blue Boar man of the Match Dan Wilson
