Sat 29 Feb 2020
Wallingford welcomed Stow-on-the-Wold to the Hithercroft as they looked to break their run of narrow defeats. In selection, they welcomed back Jackson Sayce, Matt Millard and Sam Botting in the backs, but were without regulars Tom Swainston, Graham Sage and Nathan Chapman.
With the recent heavy rain, the match was in doubt due to standing water on the pitch, and although both teams were happy to start the game on the 1st XV pitch, the referee decided it would be safer to play on a M&J pitch with even more standing water on it.
This resulted in plenty of farce throughout the game as both teams acquaplaned on regular occasions, whilst the reduced dimensions of the pitch meant that several kicks early on went dead. Considering the conditions, both teams tried to play some rugby at times, with Wallingford attacking the blindside on several conditions, almost putting the imressive debutant Adam Spears away.
With strong carries from the pack, with Craig Irwin, Ed Searle and Carl Tappin to the fore, Wallingford worked their way into the Stow twenty-two, before Ian Jeffreys, aided by his teammates, forced his way over the line for the opening try. Jackson Sayce converted well from the left.
Stow fought back well through their forwards, and after a simple converted penalty, they scored a soft try. From a ruck on the host's twenty-two, a gap around the fringes left a hole which a Stow player took advantage of, before finding a supporting runner on his inside to score to the right of the posts.
Wallingford ended the half in the ascendancy, and after some sustained pressure in the Stow twenty-two, James Norris did what James Norris does best (apart from telling mind numbingly boring stories) and burrowed over from short range.
Half time: Wallingford 14 - 10 Stow
The second half was a messy affair, peppered by the sound of the referee's whistle, as both sides entered a very moist arm wrestle. With the ball rarely/never getting past both 10s, the game was ultimately decided by who could hold on to the ball in the wet conditions, and who gave away the least penalties.
Unfortunately for Wallingford, they came second best on both counts. They played plenty of good rugby, and dominated possession and territory for large parts of the half, but just when they looked like killing the game off, a dropped ball or penalty killed the opportunity.
In contrast, Stow managed what posession they had well. After kicking two penalties to take the lead, they showed excellent composure to retain posession in the last five minutes, before eventually closing the game out.
This was yet another massively frustrating game for Wallingford. It's hard to put a finger on why they are losing games, fundamentally it comes down to not taking their chances when they've worked hard to create opportunities, and conceding one soft try due to a defensive lapse. That, and indiscipline, albeit the referee's performance in the second half was error strewn, but you can't blame referees for defeats like this.
There were positives to take from the game, with the likes of Tappin, Jeffreys and Irwin excellent in the loose, Matt Millard did well in terrible conditions at scrum half, and Adam Spears on debut looked the real deal.
Onwards and upwards, the win will come soon.
