Wed 27 Apr 2022, 18:15
The 2022 vets season came to an end on a cold Wednesday evening in Oxford, with Wallingford going down to a more physical Grove side, who were the better team on the night.
Wallingford fielded a very similar team to the side who triumphed in the semi against Wheatley and it was hoped that continuity would set us in good stead. Things seemed to be going to plan as Wallingford had the better of the initial exchanges with good ground being made around the fringes by Tappin and some nice interplay in the backline. With around 5 minutes played Fern caught a loose Grove kick, set off on a slaloming run and linked with Smith who had the wherewithal to chip the ball over the last defender, regather and dotted down for a wonderful solo try. Sadly, Strang missed the extras.
Ralph’s try seemed to awaken the Grove beast and the physicality increased as their bigger ball carriers got into the game. Monks at fullback began to terrorise the Wallingford defence whenever he had the ball in the three-quarter line and the size and power of the Grove backrow was keeping the Wallingford loose-forwards busy. Wave after wave of Grove pressure was repelled with standout defensive efforts from Jeffries, Viljoen, Blazsko, Smith and Lanedog, however the pressure finally grew too much and Grove moved into the lead through a well-taken – and converted – try.
Despite seeing very little of the ball, Wallingford were still very much in the game and full of spirit at half-time. Bungle succinctly summarised what needed to happen in the second half: keep hold of the ball; tackle lower; and stop their big lads before they could build up a head-of-steam. Noz, arriving late due to a leaky faucet, would have been proud.
The second half was an even affair with Wallingford, benefitting from increased infringements from Grove, able to clear their lines and play more in the right areas with good carrying from Hill, Jenkins and Holton allowing Henderson and Strang to begin to create more space. The set-piece was working like a well-oiled machine, with Mounty hitting Gillies and Jeffries at the line-out and controlling the heavier Grove pack at the scrum. However, Grove’s power was still hard to handle and with their immense number 6 moving into the centres, they continued to punch holes in the line as Wallingford struggled to get the right match-ups in defence. Smith made a string of absolutely amazing cover tackles to keep Wallingford in the game and then – somewhat against the run of play – Smasher knocked over a kick to put Wallingford ahead.
The lead was a little short-lived, with Grove’s continued pressure finally telling, as they plunged over for 5 points to move into the lead with 16 minutes to go. With that, the changes were rung and Hewitt, White and Wilcox-Jones came on in the pack and Viljoen returned on the wing (right as his legs had fully seized up on the side-line). Down four points, Wallingford still had chances as space began to appear out wide, however luck was not on their side as a mixture of handling errors, confusion and good defence meant we couldn’t quite exploit the half-chances that appeared. With time nearly gone, Grove added a penalty to take the lead out to seven point and that was how it ended – with one score between the sides, no skin on anyone’s knees and Grove, who were a good bunch of lads, deservedly lifting the shield.
The Grove captain and number 8 took away the man of the match award, I thought it should have gone to Smiffy, who set up the game with his try and then kept us in the match with an absolute masterclass in defence – as J-No said after the game“if it be a sin to covet bravery, I am the most offending soul alive”.
Looking back at the match I think we probably did all we could, but the strike that Grove had through their spine meant we never really had a chance to get into the swing of thingsand loosen the game up enough. Next year we’ll be wiser (and sadly older).
Despite the loss, my overriding emotion as I got home was one of profound happiness to have spent three evenings playing rugby with such a lovely group of people. Playing sports is really all about having fun and the club has been great to all of us - and our families – in bringing together a group of guys who have such a great sense of connection and camaraderie. The years rolled back almost as far as the hairlines and it was really enjoyable to spend time as a group together and to get the band back together on the pitch.
Thank you so much to Doug, Riddler, Rolf and Tony for all the organising; Stuart for knowing all the tournament rules; Ollie for sorting out the training and also wearing leggings on the astro; Strangy for committing to such a long drive every week; Nozz for the tactical input from the side-line; and all the multitude of fans and supporters who came to watch.
