Sat 11 Sep 2004
Wallingford 56 Gosford All Blacks 12 (11.09.04)
After last week’s shock defeat the club got their first league points of the season on the board with a comfortable 56 - 12 victory at home to Gosford All Blacks. The side was forced into making a number of changes due to injury and unavailability but nevertheless proved far too strong for the visitors who were promoted at the end of last season. The home side took the lead after only two minutes when skipper Olli HENDERSON slotted a penalty and that lead was increased shortly afterwards when HENDERSON scored a try which he also converted. The vistors then reduced the deficit with a converted try but with the Wallingford pack dominating the set pieces it was only a matter of time before they scored another try, and in came in the shape of veteran prop Dick PAYNE, which was converted by HENDERSON.
Then just before half-time David KEABLE crashed over which went unconverted before Gosford All Blacks responded almost immediately with an unconverted try to leave the home side 22-12 at the break.
The first 10 minutes of the second half again saw the Wallingford 8 dominate proceedings up front but they were unable to turn the possession into points. Eventually full back Henry VENNERS went over for a try which HENDERSON failed to convert, and at this stage the game looked safe. Then with twenty minutes remaining the home side stepped up a gear and started to finally cut loose. First Number 8 Phil CARTER scored after a fine individual run which wasn’t converted but shortly afterwards HENDERSON kicked a penalty. This was followed by 3 tries the pick of which was scored by prop Lee BLEWETT who took three defenders over with him in scoring, Chris JENKINS and a second for David KEABLE, all of which were converted by skipper HENDERSON who finished with a 21 point haul.
Next Saturday the side starts the long haul to Twickenham with a tough home match against
Chipping Norton in the First Round of the Powergen National Junior Vase Cup.
