1st XV vs Manor Park (H) Midlands 4 WS

Mick Hibbert Memorial Day – main objective a win on our patch and 5 points..........

so the wheat’s started the game ahead of Manor Park in the league. With previous performances

Proving the wheat’s are looking like a force to be reckoned with this game wasn’t going to be

Anything short of a battle. Let’s face it them boys from Nuneaton are never an easy opposition. The

Starting line we were: front 3 dom/Ross/chunky, in the engine room was Andy T /Pace Lacey and

Completing the pack was a back row to cause havoc, hero wrighty, Ben Craig and Ian turnover

Critchley.

The Backs lined up filled with pace/power/and good looks. Lowey marshalling he donkeys, Rob T

Calling the shots at 10 and Joe” Cadbury shoulders” loach returning from injury. Partnering

He was Dan Nolan with another solid performance in the 13 shirt.

The back 3 of SBS, Snake and Dru or as Amy and Ellie refer to him, Fit Rich!!!

After observing a 1 minute silence the game kicked off with wrighty dropping the ball. After winning the scrum against the head wheat’s bumped the ball up fast and furious early catching MP on the back foot early on. Only for a penalty to be given for holding on at the breakdown. MP drew first blood on 6 minutes with there #10 slotting over from the 22

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We was in a game, knock on’s, kicks to touch and various pick and goes took the Wheat’s in to the oppositions half, only for a penalty for Hands in the Ruck by MP. Wrighty chose to take the points; SBS stepped up to dissect the posts with his 1st shot at the posts.

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With a ¼ of the match played it was all square, both sides were trying to force the game. Scrums and Rucks Dominating, Another Penalty in the Wheat’s half allowed their #10 to have a shot at goal which he took.

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A fine Restart by Rob T set the tone for what would be a fantastic end to the 1st half. His Kick had snow on it. Critch doing what all good 7s do, nailed the catcher & turned the ball over for Lowey ( sporting some naughty yellow boots ) to let the backs roam forward. Following a Maul with the wheat’s going forward it was our scrum, controlling brilliantly at the base of the scrum the returning Ben Craig broke blind smashing through winger/flanker and full back he was over in the corner. SBS was just short on the resulting conversion attempt from a tough angle.

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Wheat’s had their tails up and was showing why they are second in the league, everyone putting their bodies on the line in attack and defence. * Wrighty. After another Crashing Break by Nolan we was once again smelling blood, Another Scrum in the Visitors 22, 1 thing on his mind again Ben Craig smashed the #6 out the way Try time! His second of the game
SBS stepped up and smashed his kick through the uprights, sending the Wheat’s in at half time in the lead.

Half time

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If DFS & Mase wanted us to start with a bang they got just that, Smashing Take at the restart and a well worked backs move, the wheat’s edged over the halfway line and yes another hands in the ruck from MP, SBS stepped up to do what he has been doing all season, Sending the kick through the uprights in to the car park

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Spirits were high, bodies on fire and everyone performing well. Wheat’s were once again dominating possession From Rob T’s Monster Boot , 7 minutes later it was try number 3. Critch marshalled the maul going forward and ploughed over in the corner. SBS just short from a tough angle again.

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Manor Park had a Penalty opting to kick for touch as they chased the game, the resulting line out was spilt and from the ruck area the ball spilled out. Dan “Lionel messi Lawrence hacked up field with some force.
If the last try was from excellent work in the line out, the next one was from “Fit Rich Drury’s Sprint School, Gassing past copious amounts of manor park player’s dru sporting from 2 previous knock on’s controlled the ball with skill dotting down over the line!

BONUS POINT SECURED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sbs slotting once again over the extras.

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with a few changes in the pack / backs Wheat’s had a mini blip (with water and physios still on the pitch manor park took a quick penalty and scored. Resulting kick missed.

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ten minutes left to play great forward dogging and hard graft was showing , be it with hits left right and Chelsea or bodies on the line once again. Wheat’s were holding their grip on the 19 point lead. The next few phases of play were slow and scrappy but with focus and guile the backs with pace , power and a spring in their step flung the ball wide kiwi esk to our resident tramp for the day “ STOW” to show the gas he possesses. To outstrip the winger and the #15 to scoot across the line.

Full time

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With a huddle to gather thoughts and the boys all showing of battle scars, cuts/grazes and pain on faces. We had been in an 80 minute battle. But yet again. Showing some minor blips and defects we had put 35 points on the board.

DFS quoting “ when we finally get it right and click god help the team we come up against”

was music to everyone’s ears all 22 men in the squad put in the effort and determination that will propel this current crop of Wheat’s to bigger and better

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