Sat 8 Jan 2005
Wallingford 28 - Harwell 7 (08.01.05)
The club got the New Year off to a winning start after a tough local derby against Harwell. A much-improved performance from the home side saw them run the club much closer than in the previous encounter, before eventually going down 28-7. Harwell started the game brightly and their powerful forwards made ground early on, forcing Wallingford to defend near their line. Their pressure was rewarded with a try in the right corner from Andy LEE, which was superbly converted by Dave BEAVEN.
However Wallingford’s superior pace in the backline began to tell and by moving the ball wide, the backs despite running into a head wind, gained good territory. From a penalty under the Harwell posts, fly half Don Jenkins chose to run the ball and managed to force his way over for a try which he also converted.
In the second half, the visitors used the wind to pin back Harwell, but the home forwards continued to do well in the scrum. With the strong wind at their backs Wallingford finally took the lead with a try from left wing Jake CARTER, and they made the game safe when some quick hands by the backs saw full back Henry VENNERS cross under the posts. To round things off substitute flanker Phil CARTER also got on the scoresheet after a darting run from outside the 22. Fly half Don JENKINS capped a fine all round display to convert all four tries.
