Sat 11 Dec 2021
Wallingford welcomed local rivals Thatcham to the Hithercroft on a mild December afternoon, looking to arrest their run of defeats against a side enduring a tough season at the bottom of the league.
In selection, the big news was the return of a recognised fly-half, as Charles Campbell returned from an 8 week lay-off to hopefully put an end to the merry-go-round of selection at 10.
The opening 10 minutes was a case of Wallingford regularly coughing up possession in contact, as they began sloppily, which allowed Thatcham to get a foothold in the game. And the visitors were to score first, after a scrum 40 meters out, passive Wallingford defence allowed them to make easy ground, before they eventually crashed over for a converted early score.
The home side, who had a clear advantage in the backs, did not panic, and struck back shortly afterwards. After the forwards made good yards up the middle, the ball was moved right to Tom Cerullo, who drew two defenders before off-loading in the tackle to centre partner Sam Botting who scored on the right for an unconverted try.
The next score saw the backs combine again to create an overlap on the left for Cerullo to score his first of the day, before an excellent team move saw Alex Brown set up Sam Botting for a somewhat debateable score in the far corner.
The home sides dominance was confirmed with the bonus point try before half-time, as Cerullo beat his man just inside the Wallingford half before showing good pace to race in for a converted score.
Half time: Wallingford 24 – 7 Thatcham
The second half saw Thatcham bounce back, as they put pressure on the hosts as errors and indiscipline crept into the host’s game. With a penalty advantage, Thatcham chipped the ball over the centres from 10m out and their player did well to catch and ground the ball under pressure from the covering Max Suttner.
Wallingford nerves were beginning to grow as the deficit was reduced to 10 points with the conversion. But a moment of class from Sam Botting settled nerves and signalled the beginning of the Wallingford resurgence.
After Alex Brown made good yards on halfway, he found Botting, who sold a majestic dummy before accelerating in from 50 yards to score an excellent solo try and to complete his maiden 1st XV hat-trick.
Next up, a darting break by Dan Sadler on halfway saw him brought down on the twenty-two before off-loading to the supporting Cerullo who completed his hat-trick.
As the game neared a conclusion, there was still time for a try for the forwards, as (they claim) a set-piece move from a line-out put Carl Tappin in down the blindside for his first try of the season.
As the light faded, the game drew to a close with Wallingford victors 43-14.
Though far from perfect, this was the confidence building display Wallingford needed after several disappointing results.
Having Charles back, and allowing Wallingford to exit effectively made a huge difference to recent weeks, and the confidence from that the flowed into other parts of their game.
The pack put in a solid display, containing a powerful Thatcham scrum, whilst the backs finally got a chance to show their quality.
There were plenty of fine performances, with flanker-turn-scrum-half Max Suttner continuing his rapid development in his new position, whilst both Cerullo and Botting were a threat throughout, but Man of the Match went to Alex Brown, who set up two tries, defended well and returned the Thatcham kicks with interest.
