Sat 7 Dec 2019, 14:15
Witney took the short trip north to face their toughest game of the season Shipston boasting a 100% home record were looking to be the first side to beat leaders Witney.
The game started with Witney kicking off down the slope, early handling errors and a strong looking opposition looked like a tough day for the lads. But after 4minutes wing Ben Fisk broke out and dived over in the corner 0-5. Conversion missed. Witney Started to get on top of their opposition and on 17 minutes Lloyd Allen went over and Tom Puddle added the extras 0-12.
This really kicked the opposition into life and with poor handling, decision making and strange refereeing decision Witney lost control as on 24 and 34-minute Shipson scored tries through William Cowper and Mathew Daniels with Robert James getting one of the conversions 12-12
Witney had a try By Ben Fisk disallowed as the home touch judge flagged for touch, despite the ref initially giving it.
Half time came up and Witney were now in a game and didn’t they know it. A half time team huddle and coach’s intervention looked to steady the ship as Witney had now lost the slope advantage and Shipstons strong tackling side were looking most likely to win.
Witney However used the substitutions to keep the game fresh but on the 53rd Minute lost Ben Fisk to a dislocated knee. Witney were now dominant and Shipston spend the entire half on defence as Witney work for the 3rd try. That try came but was disallowed but on the 72nd Minute Lloyd Allen broke through and scored 12-17 no conversion. Witney pushed on for their bonus point try but Shipston held out to register a losing bonus point.
A Hard physical game saw Witney come out on top but only just, but with a broken Jaw for Ryan Harris and a dislocated Knee for Ben Fisk will be making changes for next weeks home game against Aylesbury
