Sat 9 Nov 2019
With all weather apps available showing double black rain clouds for most of Saturday, Wallingford's game against Stow was always going to be a wet affair, and so it proved. The team travelled with a number of changes, and these increased with the late arrival of Jack Greenway and Sam Clarkson, meaning Jack Payne started at hooker on his debut.
Playing on the least waterlogged of Stow's pitches, Wallingford kicked off as the rain continued to lash it down. The most entertaining aspect of the first 5 minutes of Tom Hill's full on Klinsmann/ tackle in the increasingly large standing puddle. Much of the rest of the half was a war of attrition. Ian Jeffreys, Ed Searle and Will Fox carried hard but the gain line was difficult to break given the stodgy conditions. New half back pairing on Graham Sage and Tom Swainston were firing well, both of whom provided some excellent tactical kicking to keep Wallingford in Stow's half. Despite intense pressure, Wallingford couldn't get on the scoreboard, with only a missed kick at goal from Charles Campbell to show for their dominance. That, plus mild hyperthermia and trench foot.
The boys had a good old cuddle at half time but it was Stow who started the second half brighter; thier 12 and 15 running hard into space. Some valiant defense kept the home side at bay before Wallingford did finally get on the score board. Sage slotted a simple penalty after Swainston was hit high: the right decision, even if he was already on his way to deck.
Any chance Stow had of getting back into the game was undone by poor discipline in the last quarter. It allowed Wallingford to play in their half and, with Connor Murphy winning pretty much every lineout, Wallingford played it tight. It wasn't until the last play of the game, with Stow throwing caution to the wind, until there was another score; the returning Nathan Chapman, helping out on the wing, hand strapped like a boxer, stripping his opposite man and waltzing in from 5 meters. Campbell put the conversion wide, leaving the score at 8-0.
It's a game Wallingford would have lost in past years, so the team did well to grind out a win in atrocious conditions. Shout out to the ref who was one of the best you'll see at this level. Also a big thanks to the travelling supporters who were vocal throughout, it makes a big difference. Up the Ultras.
Finally, well done the boys for leaving the changing room in good shape. Not so well done for leaving the kit at Stow...
