Sat 9 Jan 2016
Marlow 10 Wallingford 18
Wallingford travelled to Marlow in the first game of 2016, looking to avenge their early season loss in which Marlow left the ‘;Croft with a 23-0 victory.
Despite a good start, Wallingford were quickly behind as the Marlow winger picked off a loose pass and ran in untouched from his own 22 to score under the posts, allowing an easy conversion (7-0).
Undeterred, Wallingford got themselves back into the game and began playing good rugby in the Marlow half, this was rewarded as they made their way into the 22 where pressure forced Marlow to concede a penalty at the breakdown which Phil Dawes chipped over to get Wallingford onto the scoreboard (7-3).
Following the restart, Wallingford soon found themselves back in the Marlow half and were once again rewarded as Pete McKinley wrestled his way over the line for a try which was expertly converted by Dawes (7-10).
Marlow came back strongly at Wallingford but firm defence held them out until they were caught offside allowing Marlow to kick a simple penalty (10-10).
With much of the game being played in the Marlow half, continued Wallingford pressure forced another penalty which Dawes kicked to give Wallingford the lead heading into half-time (10-13) and the scores stayed like this through the closing stages of the first half as a long-range Marlow penalty fell short. (10-13 HT).
Heading into the second half, Wallingford knew they had to maintain more of the same with Marlow looking to comeback strongly.
The game was played between the two 22s for the early parts of the second half as both defences held firm. However, Wallingford began to make good ground and attack the Marlow line eventually being held-up over the line. From the resultant scrum Wallingford retained the ball and Swainston darted over for a try, Dawes missing the difficult conversion (10-18).
The remainder of the game was a tense affair as Wallingford mixed some strong attacks with excellent defence as Marlow looked to close the gap on the scoreboard. In the closing minutes Marlow earnt a penalty in the Wallingford 22 but opted to run rather than kick an easy 3 points and earn themselves a losing bonus point and it was good Wallingford defence which earnt themselves a penalty and kick the ball into touch to secure the win.
A great start to the year for the 1st XV, especially keeping Marlow from troubling the scoreboard in the second half.
The tough fixtures keep coming as they welcome Beaconsfield to the 'Croft next week, again looking to overturn and early season defeat.
