Sat 27 Sep 2008
Wallingford made it three wins from three in South West 2 after easing past last season’s Southern Counties North league winners Olney. The side saw a few changes with Gary BRIDGES coming on to the wing for Richard TURNER and Ed FERNYHOUGH making his debut on the flank as new dad Pete THORNS was unavailable.
On another warm and sunny day Wallingford started the brighter and immediately penned the smaller Olney team deep into their own half. Constant pressure on the home side saw their discipline slip and Wallingford wing Jackson SAYCE was happy to keep the score board ticking with his immaculate boot; scoring five first half penalties, two of which were from the half way line. Up front Olney lacked any real penetration and relied on the pace of their backs to provide an attacking threat but they were marshalled well by centres Pete HOLTON and Johnny COLLETT. In contrast the Wallingford pack were beginning to dominate and led by captain Kris BLASZKO and strong ball carriers Ian JEFFREYS and Mike TURNER, began to stamp their authority on the game. However, with all the territory Wallingford failed to notch any tries as, to their credit, Olney held firm in their own 22. The half ended 15-0.
Olney started the second half with more ambition and looked to get their speedy full back into the game whenever possible. Their ambition paid off when after a spell of pressure they scored out wide. Knowing they were still in a tight game of rugby Wallingford went on the offensive again. Full back Henry VENNERS made some dizzying runs up the pitch whilst the half back pairing of Derek VILJEON and Henry POOLER continued to put the visitors on the front foot. Soon Wallingford extended their lead when COLLETT cut a fine line and bundled his way over for the visitors first try. SAYCE hit the post with the conversion but made amends soon after with another fine penalty, moving Wallingford into a 23-5 lead. The game was effectively won ten minutes later when man of the match BLASZKO was the first to react to a loose ball and showed impressive pace to run in untouched from 30 meters out. SAYCE converted to take his tally to 20 points and Wallingford’s to 30. Throwing caution to the wind Olney started taking risks and the last ten minutes belonged to the home side as they tried desperately to close the gap. Their efforts saw them score two unconverted tries, one coming from an excellent cross field kick.
The game ended 30-15 and Wallingford came off the pitch a little disappointed not to have scored more, a testament to their ambition when it was only a year ago they travelled to Olney and lost by 15 points themselves. The team played well but often failed to get into top gear and should have crossed the Olney line more than twice. Still, it was another excellent win for a Wallingford team growing in confidence.
Wallingford: Venners; Sayce, Holton (Bird), Collett, Bridges; Pooler, Viljeon; Blaszko (C), Hill, Keable; Turner, Bailey (Henderson); Fernyhough (Lewis), Chapman, Jeffreys.
