Match Report: Wheats 19 Coventrians 10

The Wheats started 2019 with a visit from local rivals Coventrians. After a tough end to 2018 for Wheats, the boys were desperate to get on the field again.

In the reverse fixture back in September, which Wheats won 42-21, Covents made it a hard fought contest and Saturday’s game was certainly going to be similar. Both teams fell silent before kick off to remember former player of both clubs, Clayton Flick. Clayton who so tragically lost his life in the Lockerbie disaster on 21st Dec 1988.

Wheats started strong and had plenty of possession in the opening minutes. Camped in Coventrians half Wheats managed to score the first points of the game. Some good phase play from the home side managed to get them 10 metres out. Rich 'Chunk' Davies, who was making his first apperance of the season, picked the ball up at the bottom of the ruck. The prop managed a great pass out to fly half Gareth Windsor who had an easy run into the corner for his 4th of the season. Windsor managed to convert his own try from out wide to put Wheats 7 up.

After the try Coventrians started to have more of the ball but to no avail as Wheats defended well. Some strong running from James Przybek, Charlie Hands and Dean Beauchamp were causing Coventrians some problems. The referee was strict on the tackle height and punished both sides with a yellow card apiece in the first half. A penalty kicked into the corner from Covents fullback set up good field position for the forwards to maul their way over the line to make the score 7-5.

The game became very messy running up to half time as penalties and mini scuffles stopped the flow of the game. Wheats did manage to score again through top try scorer James Hancox. Some great play again from the Wheats and winning good clean ball for scrum half Marc Rubery at ruck time created an overlap out wide. Fly Gareth Windsor threw a miss pass which was greatly received by James Hancox, who was waiting for the ball with about 5 other Wheats.

Half Time
Wheats 12
Coventrians 5

The second half continued in the same fashion as the first. Lots and penalties and a couple more yellow cards didn't allow Wheats to push on and get more tries.

Some good defence and havoc at the breakdowns, Coventrians kept Wheats out until flanker Mark Rawlings managed to break away and score under the posts. Windsor added the extras. The away side managed to pull a try back to give them hope of getting something from the game. But Wheats were on the hunt for a bonus point try and dominated the final minutes, camped in the 22. Liam McCrea came inches away from the 4th try but Covents stood strong and kept the Wheats out!

Full Time
Wheats 19
Coventrians 10

Wheats captain Liam McCrea was presented with the Clayton Flick Memorial Trophy at full time in memory of the great man.

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