After last week's cup success Wheats were forced to make several changes to the squad. Including hat trick hero James Hancox who was away on a stag do.

Wheats started strongly with plenty of the ball and causing Claverdon problems out wide. Some great play from the Wheats created the first try of the day for centre Bradley Pinkham. A brilliant pass from Dan Smith set up Pinkham for his first of the season. Gareth Windsor hit the post with conversion. Shortly after, the Wheats were forced to make an change at fly half, as last weeks Man of the Match Dan Smith limped off. James Langton came on at 15 as Gareth Windsor slotted in at 10.

Wheats pressure continued with big ball carries from Charlie Hands, Ryan McSorely, Liam McCrea and the rest of the forwards making hard yards. The backs shipped it wide on multiple occasions but the wet slippy ball was causing unfortunate knock ons. Claverdon tried to get themselves in the game but Wheats fronted up in defence causing Claverdon to make mistakes. Some great turnovers from Alan Beauchamp and McSorely gained territory for the Wheats.

A scrum was awarded to Claverdon on their own 22 metre line. Wheats had been dominant in the scrum and this showed as the tight 5 of Aaron Graham, Alan Beauchamp, Liam McCrea, James Fisher and Guy Maycock turned over the scrum to set up the Wheats second try. Charlie Hands picked up from the back of the scrum offloaded to scrum half Sam Eaton he passed to Gareth Windsor who stepped the winger and dotted down in the corner. Windsor converted his own try from out wide.

Half time
Wheats 12 Claverdon 0

The second half started the same as the first with more Wheats dominance. Some clean breaks from Charlie Hands and Brad Pinkham but Wheats failed to convert the chances.

Quick thinking from scrum half Sam Eaton set up the 3rd try. A penalty was awarded just inside the Claverdon half for foul play at the ruck, Eaton quick tapped, beat a couple of defenders and fed the ball to big Charlie Hands who battled his way past the 22 and over the whitewash for a fine try. Windsor added the 2 points.

The 4th try came from brilliant winger play from Steve Pahal. His brilliant dummy sent 3 defenders the wrong way as he slipped away. Young Lewis Faulkner, who was making his Wheats debut, was in support of Pahal and finished the move off brilliantly in the corner with raw speed.

Claverdon piled on the pressure in the last 10 minutes but Wheats stood strong in defence and held them out. All credit to Claverdon for sticking at it and making it hard for the Wheats to finish their chances.

Final Score:
Old Wheatleyans 24
Claverdon 0

Try Scores:

Brad Pinkham
Gareth Windsor
Ben Hands
Lewis Faulkner

Conversions:

Gareth Windsor x 2

Man of the Match: Alan Beauchamp
Dick of the Day: Gareth Windsor (undeserved in my eyes)

Coaches Corner

Winning any game 24-0, I should be happy and I am as a coach. I just feel it could have been more silly mistakes and lack of concentration cost us scoring opportunities. We will need to take these in the future as we start to play the other contenders for the title.

Our defence held strong through out the game and in the conditions that tested both sides at times. We had all the ball and possession and on the few occasions Claverdon got into our 22 Alan Beauchamp and Ryan McSorley were tireless in D winning turn over after turn over. Charlie Hands playing his second game since his return from down under broke the gain line at every opportunity and finished a great try.

Not a bad day at the office at all but it shows the potential I belive this team has that I expect more from them.

Matthew 'Cheeks' Cappell

Wheats face a tough away day to local rivals Coventrians RFC next week where they look to make it 2 out of 2.

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