The Old Wheats welcomed league rivals Bedworth to Norman Place Road for both teams first competitve game of the season in the quarter final of the Warwickshire Vase. The sun was shining on the Bablake School pitch as Bedworth kicked off the tie. Wheats started really well and had plenty of the ball. Sam Eaton and Dan Smith linking up well at 9 and 10 bossing the game. Wheats nearly had an early score from great hands from the backs but a fantastic covering tackle from Bedworth's flanker on Jamie Hutton prevented the try. It didn't take to long for the Wheats to get going again and soon had the first points on the board through Andy Haughian, converted by Gareth Windsor.

A few minutes later Wheats turned a Bedworth scrum over on the half way line, Dan Smith received at 10 and cut the Bedworth defence apart with a great break, Andy Haughian was the first Wheats player in support to receive an outrageous flick from the young fly half to go over for his 2nd try. Converted by Windsor.

Further tries from James Hancox x 2 and Jamie Hutton (all converted by Windsor) put Wheats 35-0 up at half time.

Wheats carried on the try scoring with some cracking finishes. James Hancox ran in his hattrick after more brilliant hands from Dan Smith. Steve Pahal, playing his first game on the wing, finished off like a pro for his first try in a Wheats shirt. The final try for the Wheats was off a line out as Dan Smith found Big Ben Craig with a wonderful switch move and the big man dotted down under the posts. Gareth Windsor slotted the conversion again to finish the game with 100% kicking success.

Final Score:
Old Wheatleyans 56
Bedworth 8

Try Scores:

James Hancox x 3
Andy Haughian x 2
Jamie Hutton
Ben Craig
Steve Pahal

Conversions:

Gareth Windsor x 8

Man of the Match: Dan Smith
Dick of the Day: Joe Bristow (for pulling his hamstring)

Coaches Corner

If you're good enough you're old enough !

It had been 133 days since out last competive run out where a referees call had lost us the game and ultimately relegated us. To be honest no qualms about the relegation as we hadn't been consistent enough over the season to stay up. But I hate losing more than I love wining!

Our pre season has been good, I placed no emphasis on the results of the 3 games winning 1 and losing 2 but more on individual performances and fitness due to holidays, injuries and shopping trips. We never got our first team out together but was good to see others stepping up.

Then the day was here, our first competive run out. I named the squad on Thursday but had 2 late injuries and changes were made. I awoke nervous Bedworth were the challengers last season they came third and won this very competition. A tough test was to be ahead. All morning I was thinking had I picked the right team should I of maybe aired on the side of caution. I'm so glad I stuck with my gut. Ben Craig stepped up to loose head and was awsome in the scrum. Steve Pahal a second/back row from my first two seasons moved to the wing where he didn't look out of place, both him and Ben scoring. Then the selection of the young bablake lad Dan Smith at 10. What do I say about his debut? Outstanding! He played like a seasoned veteran creating chance after chance and playing with no fear.
James Hancox also was brilliant after coming back from a seaon of injuries crossing the line 3 times. The only down side was losing two players to injury!

Now we must look forwards to next week and build on the foundations laid today. We have to keep improving and moving forward.

Training Wednesday 18:30 see you there.

Matthew 'Cheeks" Cappell

UP THE WHEATS