Sat 23 Mar 2019, 15:00
ollowing the nightmare display a fortnight prior at Stow, Wallingford were wary as they travelled to league leaders Windsor on a fine Spring afternoon. In selection, Dan Sadler and Ben Selwood were available after their mid-season ski trips, whilst in the pack, Dave Baxter returned to the side in place of the injured Carl Tappin.
The first half was a hard fought affair, with both sides creating chances but not quite converting them, with Windsor in particular guilty of butchering some easy chances. A penalty apiece was separated by the only try of the half, which went to Windsor as they took advantage of a Wallingford over-throw to score to the right of the posts. The only other action of note was the sin-binning of the Windsor fly-half for a sudden bout of Tourettes following an obstruction in midfield.
The second half was a more open affair, as defences tired in the sun. Windsor kicked another penalty, before, with Wallingford down to 14 men, Windsor scored two more tries, the second of which was a penalty try from a rolling maul, which saw stand-in fly half Dan Sadler sent to the bin.
Down to 13 men, Wallingford then surprisingly crossed the whitewash themselves. As Windsor looked to clear their lines from the twenty-two, the ball squirted loose from a ruck and Craig Irwin was the quickest to react to touch down for his third try in three games. Ben Selwood converted well from the right.
With time running out, Windsor scored their bonus point try, which was again converted by the immaculate Windsor kicker who didn't miss a kick all day.
Despite the result, Wallingford can be relatively pleased with their display. With 10 key players now missing from the XV that started the season, 2019 has been a struggle at times following a strong first half of the season, but this game showed that the remaining players and the players stepping up are more than capable of competing with the best in this league.
Also, special mention again must go to the referee, who was excellent all game and allowed for an open, free-flowing game
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