WHEATS march to Cup Final

The Wheat’s entered Saturdays game I the knowledge that a win would put them third in the league but also into the Warwickshire Shield Cup Final, as it was the decided by the powers to be that the game would count for two results instead of making the teams play each other twice in four days.

They welcomed Manor Park to Norman Place Rd in what turned out to be a splendid day with the sun beaming down on the hallowed turf, and in front of the large expectant Vice Presidents who had suitably lined their bellies beforehand. The Wheat’s had already beaten Manor Park earlier in the season and were confident that a near full strength team would be able to deliver once again. It was quite the opposite for Manor Park, who have been on the back of several defeats and had lost two key players to the Nuns a few weeks ago. However, Lee Maddison’s men were confident that they could turn up to the Stade and deliver a performance to rock the Wheats (having lost on 3 times at home all season).

The game got underway and it couldn’t have started any better for the home side, as TV celebrity & First Dates star, Rich Drury, rounded a few Manor Park players and then chipped the last defender to collect and score after 2mins on the clock – young Clark missed the extra’s. The game settled down and the referee was keen to assert himself on the game and pinged the Wheat’s several times, and with the slightly rotund Lewis Brightmore in fine form with his boot, and kicking with the wind – four weighty kicks sailed through the uprights in quick succession to make the score a flattering 8 – 12 to the Visitors at half-time (Clarky notched a penalty for the Wheats).

The half-time team talk centred around building phases as we were already in ascendancy in the set piece, and then exploiting the space that is created out wide. The forwards were keen to keep hold of the ball a bit more as they were dominant in all aspects of the game.

The second half started with a lot of encouragement from the sidelines, and the Wheats didn’t panic or disappoint. In what turned out to be a solid second half performance by the Wheats, the forwards began where they had left off and played many phases to tire the visitors who were now playing against the elements. A catch and drive from a lineout allowed predator Lee ‘Chunky’ Davies to rip the ball off Paul Wright (who collected the ball off ChinaTown in the lineout) and to cross the whitewash for a score (conversion missed by Clarky for us to go 13 – 12 up). The backs suddenly sparked into life and after some good work by new centre partnership of Brown & Lowe, released Rich Drury to score another quick fire two tries with some excellent finishing. Not to be outdone, Leo Craddock ended a fantastic set of phases with a strong run down the wing to notch in the corner, with the linesman confirming he had stayed in play after a last grasp cover tackle by impressive Manor Park prop, Matt Green. Impressive Manor Park Number 8, Aaron Willis scored a consolation try after dragging three Wheats defenders over the line with him from close range (Tubs notching the conversion). Dan Brooks entered the fray and cut a mean line to get on the scorecard and with Clark McCallum notching a total of 17pts, the WHEATS marched into 3rd in the league and into the Warwickshire Shield Final with an impressive 47 – 19 win against their old rivals.

I’d like to thank the VP’s for showing up and supporting the Club and the Boys on this day, your continued support is greatly appreciated.

Pinley RFC await in the final (date TBC), and the Wheats are keen to rectify the two worst performances of the season against their Wyken Croft opponents.

(Photo courtesy of Coventry Evening Telegraph)