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   3 Senior match reports for the price of 1.

3 Senior match reports for the price of 1.

Richard Green11 Mar 2013 - 16:28
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Wasps 1sts 32 Datchworth 15, Wasps 2nds 5 Ealing 35, Wasps 3rds/Occies 19 Belsize Park 44

Solid performance produces sound win.

Wasps first team returned to Twyford Avenue after last week’s excursion to Teddington and found the playing surface in fine fettle after the previous day’s rain. Both sides appeared to be taking the game seriously as extensive warm-ups made sure that everybody was focussed and basics were practised and honed assiduously by both teams.
After last week’s slow start it was pleasing to see the Wasps team get straight into their game plan and begin on the front foot, controlling the ball and field position whilst putting the Datchworth defence under pressure. This led to two very kickable penalties being awarded to Wasps for their positive efforts, unfortunately, both of Blayne’s attempts passed wide of the posts, one to each side, which suggested slightly missed strikes rather than any kicking issue.
It was a full ten minutes before Datchworth got into the Wasps half, where they in-turn were awarded a penalty for not releasing in the tackle. The Datchworth Fly-halfs effort just shaved the posts but a Wasps player knocked on in goal and gave away a soft five metre scrummage. Given a prime position with options both sides of the scrummage Datchworth did not disappoint themselves, by executing a well drilled set-piece play that led to their left winger strolling over unmolested in the corner. The difficult conversion was missed but Datchworth had established a 5 point lead without actually having seen much ball and had shown clearly that their set-piece structured plays were likely to be their strength.
Undeterred, Wasps were immediately back on the attack in the Datchworth half and they were awarded their third kickable penalty for another infringement at the breakdown by a Datchworth player, usual service was resumed and Blayne’s kick sailed safely through the middle of the post to put Wasps on the board. Wasps 3 Datchworth 5.
The next few minutes showed how the rest of the game was to be played, Datchworth looking for controlled set-pieces and logically constructed plays from these, and Wasps aiming to play, a more high tempo game, using their contact and retention skills and aiming to keep the ball on the park. The referee, on exchange and being assessed, was having a good game, communicating well to both sides and making sure that the breakdown was a fair and accessible occasion for both ball carriers and defenders alike.
Wasps were having the majority of possession and pressing hard but generally just outside the Datchworth twenty-two. Datchworth, were giving away too many penalties at this stage to maintain any lasting pressure and were giving Wasps back the initiative whenever they began to make progress themselves into the Wasps half. Thus Wasps were allowed to control where the game was being played, this led to a further penalty in front of the posts, after about twenty minutes and Blayne calmly kicked the goal to put Wasps into a 6 – 5 lead, a lead that they were not to lose for the rest of the match.
The rest of the first half saw a very even contest with both sides having periods of pressure when they were able to control the ball. From one series of Wasps drives near the Datchworth line, Wasps were penalised for going off their feet, giving Datchworth the chance to relieve the pressure and kick for touch in order to use their excellent line-out. Perhaps the kicker got greedy, but he just failed to make touch, when Ben jumping high into the air knocked the ball back infield and stopped it going into touch near the halfway line. The ball was immediately passed to Cam who set off on a mazy run, picking off several approaching Datchworth forwards, he eventually caught up with Adam, who like all Tight-head Props was having a breather, an offloaded pass gave Adam the opportunity to demonstrate, that over five metres he is hard to stop, and he charged over in the corner. Blayne struck an excellent conversion which sailed just wide of the far post, leaving the score at Wasps 11 Datchworth 5.
The final few minutes of the half saw Datchworth pushing hard but only making any meaningful ground from their powerful line-out and Wasps were able to see out the remaining minutes and go into half-time with a six point lead.
This had been a highly active first forty minutes and the score was probably just about right. Wasps deserved their lead but Datchworth had certainly had their own chances and been fully involved in a pleasing half of rugby. Wasps idea of playing a more mobile front five, using Jariath as an extra Back-row in the second-row, had paid dividends and the additional scavenging option had led to Wasps having the best of the breakdowns. There was still ‘all to play for’ and both teams would have felt that it was still anyone’s game.
The second half started at a pace and Wasps were the quicker of the sides to gain an advantage, when after two or three ‘pick and goes’ Calvin was released into the Datchworth mid-field, where he took three men out of the game, the ball was quickly recycled, moved back where it had come from and good passing put Jack in the clear, to score in the left hand corner. Blayne’s sound technical place kicking was again evident, as a superb conversion took Wasps in to an 18 points to 5 points lead.
Datchworth responded well and were again back in the Wasps half pressurising but not getting quite close enough to the Wasps line to use their strengths effectively. From one Datchworth attack Wasps were able to force the ball into touch, on their own twenty-two. Winning the ball at the subsequent line-out, through US Alex, Wasps ran the ball out, an inside pass from Blayne to Ben, appearing from the blind side wing, saw an excellent break, inter-passing in the backs saw Jack give Tim, arriving from Full-back an inside pass to score under the posts. Blayne added the extras to take Wasps into a solid 25 – 5 lead with thirty minutes to play. It later transpired that Jack had only appeared in the move as he had filled in for Ryan who had pulled-up lame with a Hamstring strain.
This reverse stung Datchworth into action and they were immediately on the attack driving the ball forward at close quarters and making inroads into the Wasps twenty-two. Wasps were doing all they could to hold them out but the pressure for the first time in the game was beginning to tell and from a line-out close to the Wasps line, a catch and drive front peel, saw Datchworth score an top quality forwards try, that had ‘old stalwarts’ like Phil Mannall purring from the touchline. The difficult conversion was narrowly missed and the score had move on to 25 – 10 in Wasps favour, but Datchworth had shown once again that given a sniff in the danger area of Wasps end of the pitch they were more than capable of causing their hosts problems.
Datchworth did not successfully take the restart and Wasps were given the ball back in an attacking position, from which they in-turn were allowed to build up ahead of steam. A series of ‘pick and goes’, saw Wasps driving towards the Datchworth posts, with some degree of control, Ben in from the wing drove on from the side and US Alex continued his relentless surge for each and every ball on the pitch strived to reach the line, he was stopped just short but a short pass from the ruck, back down the fifteen metre line, saw Grennie score his first try of the season. As usual he crossed the line at the height of a ‘Hobbit’ but from such close range he was unstoppable. Blayne once again converted from the right of the posts to give Wasps a safe 32 -10 lead with seven minutes to go.
Datchworth, however, were not finished, feeling that they could score the two tries needed for a bonus point in the remaining time, and again attacked Wasps line with gusto. Wasps had an opportunity to clear their line, when they were awarded a five metre scrummage, Datchworth took a rebounded put-in against the head and their Captain and Number Eight picked up and crossed, for a well-deserved try. He had carried ball with relish at Wasps all afternoon and clearly deserved his success for effort and commitment. The quickly taken drop goal conversion from halfway out was narrowly missed.
Datchworth returned almost from the kick-off and the final moments of the game were played in Wasps half but solid defence, sound tackling and above all excellent communication allowed Wasps to see out the game and keep their line intact.
For Wasps this was a third win in a row and was again an eighteen man effort with commitment and attitude shown in abundance by every player. Jake, Greenie and Adam had scrummaged well throughout, Luke had been a powerhouse in scrums, rucks and mauls, Kieran had come on at halftime and added lineout options to the side, Tysen, US Alex and Freddie had all played to a high level in the forwards. Jarlath as previously stated had an excellent forty minutes. Whilst in the backs Cam and Blayne again showed a mature degree of game management from halfback, Jack and Sam held firm through the middle all day in defence and both added to a host of attacking moves. Ben and Ryan were busy in both defence and attack, with Ben adding crucial aspects to two scores, Carlos also was not found wanting in his cameo performance in the second half. These factors all made ‘man of the match’ a nightmare to decide upon so a dual award was made. Blayne for his control and general match management, along with his excellent kicking from both hand and the ground made him hard to not vote for. Whilst US Alex’s perpetual motion performance at Number 7, at all contact situations, along with his five lineout wins and God knows how many tackles, made him someone who was always to the forefront of any such decision.
This was a really good game which both sides took a full and competitive part in with two divergent styles, that actually led to a vibrant game, which in many ways was facilitated by an excellent refereeing performance.
Dave Farmer

Match Photos under Albums by Dick Curtiss

Meanwhile the second team faced Ealing in their last qualifying match before the semi-finals of the Merit table competition.
Wasps got off to a confident start against an Ealing side that they knew would be their opposition in the upcoming semi-final. In the first 20 minutes the game was finely balanced, until Ealing broke the line and went over for a try that was answered a few minutes later by a Wasps one off the back of a scrum just inside the Ealing 22. In fact, the scrum was one of Wasps best assets all day with the whole pack putting in a great effort and Chris confidently picking and going at No.8.

However, missed tackles and penalties were to be Wasps undoing, allowing Ealing to run in for another six unanswered tries. Problems with defensive organisation and the lack of a real line out option also caused problems on the day. That said, everyone from 1 to 15 played to their utmost and were bolstered by Ahmed and Inigo who came on after finishing their own match with the Occasionals. Riddler also made a guest appearance while Ruaidhri was undertaking his now habitual 10 minutes rest after evacuating the contents of his stomach.

With a little bit of training and organisation Ealing are beatable on the 23rd March, so it’s important that everyone gets down to training on Thursday for the next couple of weeks.

Darren Lake

Match Photos under Albums by Dick Curtiss

And over on pitch no 3:

WASPs Occasionals 19 Belsize Park Irregulars 44

A little greasy underfoot, but otherwise perfect conditions; dry and cool with virtually no wind.
Belsize 4ths could only muster 11 players whereas WASPs had an excellent turn-out with a squad of 22. Wasps lent Belsize 4 players to make it 15-a-side and still had a couple of subs. The Colts were keen to play together, although Kennedy was confident enough to play for the Oppo. Generously joining him were Nathan, Callixte and Andrew Bull. These last two were pivotal in the home team’s (us) downfall. Andrew sold more dummies than Mothercare and Callixte (AKA the Acton Express) was the fastest man on the pitch which he exploited on the wing to great effect, scoring two belters as indeed did Mr Bull.
The colts were all on time! And fielded 7 players. Although a little apprehensive beforehand about moving up to Senior Rugby, they acquitted themselves very well. They were more than comfortable with the physical element of the game, and lots of examples of great individual work, especially Kennedy’s try (for the Oppo!). Unfortunately, David had a nasty little nick to the eye about ½ way through 1st half and had to come off, but stayed on the touch for the remainder of the half to lend support.

Andy on the Wing
Mr Hodge made a big difference. Scoring our first (and only try of 1st half) and nearly getting a 2nd with some extremely deft footballing skills (3 kicks down the park on the fly). A couple of big tackles in the 2nd half, before a bad ding to the hand forced him off too.

Getting Organised
Finally, finally in the latter part of the second half I (your correspondent, Justin, that is) started to jump at the right time on the right call - which helped. It was also clear we had by far and away the stronger pack (as scrums were uncontested this didn’t help here) and managed to make three extremely impressive drives. The first big drive from a line out on the left led to Inigo’s Move of the Match - with the maul held up just shy of the line, he broke out and pirouetted(!) around 3 defenders to place the ball firmly and clearly beyond the line as cool as you like. Although we failed to convert the try, good effort led to points on the other two drives, we did get right up to the goal-line and in fact the last play of the match saw them desperately defending right on their goal line.

Take Away
More unified play would make a huge difference, this will come if we train together
And in fact the late drives worked very well.

A Big, big thanks for one & all making a solid squad for a run out that was great fun.

Match Photos under Albums by Dick Curtiss

Further reading