1st XV vs Harbury (A) Midlands 4 WS

The sun was shining in rural Warwickshire as the Wheats visited Harbury for what was another tough battle at the end of 13 consecutive weeks of hard league and cup rugby.

Chunky, Ross and Big Dom made up the front row, Andy T and Skipper Hero were in the second row and Lee Harrison, Critch and Will Thornhill made up the pack in the back-row. Will was making his 1st team debut and is another exciting, young addition to the Wheats squad.

Lowey and Rob T resumed their partnership at half-back, Loachy and Nolan were in the centres and Dru, The Snake and Steam Room made up the backline at wing and fullback.

Jack, Josh, D-Day and the newly wealthy Gaz Hill made up the bench - the latter getting in at 4am after clearing out the casino.

As the teams emerged from the changing rooms, Harbury were displaying a confidence that belied their league position. Their posturing suggested that they seemed confident of turning over the league leaders.

The Wheats however had different ideas and after taking the first 10 minutes to find their feet and settle into the game went on to produce some of the finest rugby of the season in blowing Harbury away by half-time and building an unassailable lead.

Playing with the conditions, the Wheats pack was SUPREME to a man. Chunky, Ross and Dom were DESTROYING the Harbury scrum which depowered their solitary threat of their 8 with ball in hand.

Harbury were unable to get anywhere near the Wheats lineout and the ball was driven to great effect – the Wheats were PIERCING Harbury right at their very heart and the home team resorted to killing the ball at every opportunity.

Eventually, the backs CLICKED and the pressure started to turn into points. Lowey DARTED over for his first try of the season on 13 minutes, on 35 minutes Rossco BOSHED over for his first Wheats try and just before half-time Dru GASSED over for his 7th try of the season.

Steam Room has bought his kicking boots with him this week too. He was in SUPREME form and punished Harbury infringements with 3 penalties, as well as converting all 3 tries. His last penalty was a MONSTER and came just on the stroke of half-time and pushed the Wheats lead out to 30-0 –and it was nothing short of what their performance deserved.

There were no congratulatory pats in the half-time team talk. Harbury would come out hard and with the conditions at their back the Wheats could not afford to drop their commitment and energy at all.

Harbury started the second half and used the conditions well putting the Wheats under pressure and kicking well for territory. The PRIDE and COMMITMENT in defence from the Stags was superb - Dru, Andy T, Skipper Hero, Critch, Lee H and Josh were putting in ENORMOUS hits all around the park.

Harbury pressure finally tolled on 48 minutes with their fly-half slotting a penalty to make it 30-3.

The Wheats were not to be outdone and replied with GREAT tries from Andy T, Loachy and Chunky, Steam Room converting one.

With the final move of the match, Harbury eventually penetrated Wheats defence and crossed for a converted try to make the final score 47-10 to the Wheats.

It was a FANTASTIC result against tough opposition and a MOMENTOUS performance in defence and attack. The side coped well with losing The Snake, Nolan and D-Day to injury and the replacements came on to great effect – a magnificent squad effort.

WHEATS!

Match report by Mase