1st XV vs Stoke Old Boys RFC (A) Junior Vase R1

Following on from two strong results last weekend the Wheat's had a difficult task of playing Stoke Old Boys away in the Junior Vase. With two big league games coming up after this weekend, and a number of players pushing the current 1st XV for a starting place, it was a game earmarked to make some changes (9 in total from the previous 1st XV match) and give the squad some much needed game time against a very hard and physical team.

Sidney Shelton, still new to the game, packed down as prop with Jack Langley showing the dynamic side to his game by switching from 2 to 3 and with Charlie Taylor occupying the hooker’s shirt, it was a young but fresh faced front row – Charlie’s eye’s were fully dilated in anticipation of the battle to commence. BJ hugged James Thomason in the engine room and the back row started with Gary Hill, Big Ben Craig and Kai, who was playing his last game for the Wheats before he undergoes shoulder surgery.

Lowey captained the side for the first time at 9 and did a grand job, and Rob Tubason was in his usual position of fly-half. Loachy welcomed Tom Brown to the centres for his 1st XV debut, showing a mixture of power and well, power. The back three consisted of Sam the Flyer on one wing and last season's leading try scorer on the other wing, with the Snake marshalling the grass behind the team at 15.

The bench consisted of Jace Wetton, who is finally starting to realise his body statistics mean that he is now a front row replacement/winger, Rich Starrit who very kindly offered to run touch and Marco Jones – once he finally arrived at the ground.

The Wheat's knew the sort of game the SOB’s would like to play, and that is one that is not considered “the beautiful game”; however, as the Wheat's have done so many times already this season, we were required to stand up and be counted on the frontline and reap the rewards towards the later stages of the game.

SOB started very well and dotted down a try from a rolling maul off a lineout, hopefully the slow starting Wheat's would realise they were in for a game! What entailed for the next 35mins was what can only be described as an “old school battle royal” – SOB flying into the breakdown with flailing bodies (all parts used) and Wheat's desperately trying to win some clean ball to give the backs some much craved ball. Josh dotted down in the corner with a display of pure gas after some great assistance from Sonny Bill Loach, with Loachy adding to his try tally with a strong run, and Tom Brown also scoring on his debut – Lowey dispatching a penalty too.

Half Time 18-5.

The half time team talk was encouraging and full of many players delivering positive contributions, an intention to dictate our game and responsible decision-making to allow our backs to gain offensive ball.

Wheat's started the 2nd half with vigour, Marco replaced Gary Hill and after a hug at half time managed to consolidate, providing a platform for Loachy to break through many tackles and feed Josh to go down in the corner for two well taken tries. The scrum was stronger and the lineout better, with the wide-eyed Charlie occasionally hitting the target, and it was from a break in open play that The Snake slithered his way through the grass with a fantastic dummy to score under the posts, Lowe converting. Ross doubled his tally, much to the delight of Wheat's following on the sideline, my wife even asking "Who was that"...before I replied..."Judas" and she lost interest. SOB's replied with two quick tries from scrums but the Wheat's had the game sewn up and were able to enjoy the last quarter of the game safe in the knowledge that we're in the hat for the next round. Well done lads and congratulations to Lowey for his captaincy on the day. Next weeks fixture is away v Birmingham Civil Service in the league.

Final Score: Stoke Old Boys RFC 14 v 48 Old Wheatleyans RFC

Match Report by Wrighty

Photos of this game can be found in the 'videos and photos' section.