After last weeks huge win, Wheats were desperate to back that result up with a win away at a tough Harbury side. A strong squad travelled the short distance to Harbury looking to go for 4 wins out of 4 in the league.

Harbury started the game the better with some pressure through their forwards. Good Wheats defence kept the home side from making to many metres but a few silly penalties gave Harbury their first points of the afternoon.

3-0

Straight from the restart Wheats managed to pile the pressure on and get close to the first try. A scrum was awarded 5 metres out from the Harbury line. The pressure from the Wheats tight 5 was to much for Harbury as they gave penalty after penalty away in the scrum. Wheats dominated in the scrum and elected to scrum after ever penalty. After 4 or 5 resets the ball came out to the backs. Fly half Clark McCallum, making his first appearance of the season, managed a half break through the centres and found a great pass to fullback Gareth Windsor who crashed over for his 3rd try of the season. Windsor converted his own try.

3-7

Only a few minutes later followed the 2nd try of the game. The home sides pressure finally paid off and they went over under the posts after a couple of missed tackles from Wheats. Try converted.

10-7

The next 10 minutes were very scrappy from both sides with Harbury having the upper hand due to some indiscipline from Wheats, that gave Harbury good territory from penalties. They knocked over another penalty to pull further ahead. Ben Craig was denied a try in the corner by the referee who believed his foot was in touch. A great break and pass from Charlie Hands put Ben Craig in but the referee denied the score to Wheats dismay.

13-7

A wet and slippy ball stopped Wheats from adding to the score on a couple of occasions until Charlie Hands broke through the Harbury defence just inside his own half on the half hour mark. Showing incredible speed for a number 8, he went all the way under the sticks for a fantastic individual score. Easy 2 points for Windsor.

13-14

Just before half time the backs put together a great move to put James Hancox in for his 9th try of the season. Wheats were awarded a scrum just inside Harbury’s 22. Clark McCallum and centre Tom Brown sucked in 2 defenders and Clark found a great flat pass to the oncoming Hancox who hit the perfect line. He side stepped the fullback to slide in for a wonderful try! Windsor added the 2.

Half time: 13-21

Wheats didn’t start well after the break and 10 minutes into the second half Harbury pulled a try back.

18-21

Some great line breaks from Wheats back rows James Przybek and Charlie Hands were causing Harbury problems. Some good build up play brought the bonus point try for the mighty Wheats. Ben Craig bundled his way over the line, taking defenders with him, after a great pass from scrum half Richard Lowe. Converted by Windsor.

18-21

Harbury had most of the possession for the the next couple of minutes but were kept camped in their own half, until they shifted it wide and managed to break away and score.

23-28

Only a couple of minutes later Wheats dented Harbury’s hopes again with a great try in the corner from winger Jamie Hutton. Some great phases of rugby put Hutton in who finished like a pro, diving in before being taken into touch. Windsor converted from the touch line.

23-35

Jamie Hutton’s try seemed to really kill of a resilient Harbury side and Wheats took full advantage and scored their 6th try of the afternoon. Harbury cleared their lines only to fullback Gareth Windsor who beat a couple of players and was stopped 10 metres out. Wheats carried hard and managed to break through the defence with Ben Craig scoring his 2nd of the day and his 5th of the season. Windsor slotted the conversion to finish with 100% from the boot.

23-42

Harbury didn’t give up hope of a try bonus point for themselves. Off a line out they managed to secure the ball and score off the back of a solid backs move to score under the posts. Converted.

30-42

With only minutes remaining Wheats managed to keep Harbury at bay after some late pressure from the home side. The referee called time on a wonderful contest that saw 10 tries scored.

Full time
Harbury 30
Wheats 42

Coaches Corner

A sign of a team that will do well in the league is if you can play badly and still get the win and that's exactly what we did on Saturday.

If we had played that game last year we would of lost it. We seemed to have a belief that even when we were behind we would still pull through and get the result.

We have always had a good scrum that has held its own against any pack we have faced but the last two games the pack have really took it to the opposition and decimating their scrum. Giving us a great platform to attack from and this was needed as our line out faultered.

We need to keep improving and we will work hard at training this week!

Matthew 'Cheeks' Cappell

That is now maximum points in the league for the Old Wheats and they sit joint top with Burbage on 20 points apiece.
The Wheats have a week off from the league this Saturday and turn their attention to the Road to Twickenham, in the Midlands Vase. They face a tough away trip to Rugeley who also have maximum points in their league Midlands 4 West (North).

UP THE WHEATS