Sat 18 Sep 2004
Powergen Junior Vase Round 1:- Wallingford 54 Chipping Norton 12
(18.09.04)
Despite missing several key players through injury notably both of the Southern Hemisphere half backs Derek VILJOEN and Don JENKINS Wallingford started the long road to Twickenham with a convincing 54 - 12 victory at home to Chipping Norton. Having reached the last 16 last season the home side were determined to at least match that achievement and they got off to a great start when after only two minutes centre Peter HOLTON ran fully 50 metres before scoring wide out which was brilliantly converted by skipper Olli HENDERSON who was deputising at outside half. Then Wallingford’s injury woes were added to when centre Johnny COLLETT suffered a knee injury and limped off. However the lead was further increased when HENDERSON kicked a penalty after the visitors were penalised at the ruck.
Then Chipping Norton had their best spell of the match and after a lineout five metres out the second row crashed over for a try which was converted. HENDERSON increased the lead the home side’s lead with another penalty, and then on the half hour mark great inter play between backs and forwards resulted in winger Jake CARTER scoring wide out which HENDERSON wasn’t able to convert. This meant that Wallingford turned around at half time 18-7 and that the margin was extended further when skipper HENDERSON kicked another penalty.
Shortly afterwards the game was put beyond the visitors when No 8 Phil CARTER scored an unconverted try and this then seemed to open the floodgates. With Chipping Norton's discipline beginning to crumble three tries followed in quick succession, all of which were great individual efforts scored by winger Jake CARTER, fellow wing Gavin HULL and a second for centre HOLTON.
The tries were all converted by HENDERSON. Then with just 10 minutes remaining full back Henry VENNERS got the final score after he was first to gather a loose bouncing ball and he ran 50 meters to touch down. Again it was converted by HENDERSON, who had a great day with the boot and also marshalled his backs brilliantly from fly half. Chipping Norton did manage a consolation try in the last minute which wasn’t converted. The club awaits the second round draw on Monday morning at Twickenham when we will learn who we face in the second round which is due to be played on the 16th October.
