On the 8th of October 1971, John Lennon released what is by far his biggest solo hit, ‘Imagine’. Now try to imagine 19 hunks warming up to take on Amersham and Chiltern IIs 45 years later. Well there is no need to imagine, the Wildboys were at it again, welcoming Amersham and Chiltern to the roadside pitch at Kingsey Road for what was a top of the table bout.
Both teams were unbeaten in the league to this point and as such were both prepared for a well fought contest. The fact that the week prior, Amersham and Chiltern had put 78 points on last year’s champions, the Wildboys readied themselves with talk of tactics and a well concentrated warm-up.
With a crowd big enough to rival that gathered around pitch 1, the game embarked. Straight away big first up tackles were being made by the Wildboys and rucks were being cleared with great ferocity. The first 15 minutes of the game were largely placed in the Amersham and Chiltern half, but the Wildboys were unable to capitalise and come away with any points. They then suffered the set back of an injured Tots Rackstraw, who was forced to hobble off the pitch after an uneasy collision, he was replaced on the back-row by front-row Elliot Bevan, who is known for his utility ability. The Wildboys remained camped in the A and C half, waiting patiently for the try to come, then it started, a well-executed line out saw the pack driving towards the try line. Ed ‘Sheddy’ Devine saw the line and dived to the floor, cheering in glee in his achievement, however, it was the 5m markings and his only achievement was making himself look like a wally.
Shortly after the previously mentioned mishap, the Wildboys were awarded a penalty in front of the posts, Harry ‘box kick bomber’ Hillier tapped quickly and began to drift to look for the pass, nothing was offered, but he spotted a gap which he darted through to touch down under the posts. Jayson ‘Squiddy McSquidface’ Abbott put last week behind him and stepped up to convert, making it 7-0 to the Wildboys.
It was then that the Wildboys began to enforce their dominance in the game, they were the more powerful team in the lineouts and scrums and big hits from Rob Nichols, Jon Goodson and Will Taylor kept the A and C backs in check. Before long this dominance resulted in further points, Will ‘Wild Bill’ Taylor got the ball in hand and after hearing the cries from Mother Taylor on the touchline, he put his head down and dived over the line for the second try of the game. It seemed where the ball was supposed to go in the resulting kick was forgotten, leaving the score at 12-0.
Amersham and Chiltern did not give up, but they instead tried a change of tactic. They saw their opportunity with a quick lineout, but as the ball was passed in, all that was seen was the hulking figure of Ed Devine smashing the receiving player to a cry ooohh and aahhh from the assembled crowd. Unfortunately, but unsurprisingly, the victim of this tackle was unable to continue, the Wildboys wish him a swift recovery.
Halftime was fast approaching and the Wildboys were awarded a penalty 10 metres from the line and with the current kicking record there was only one obvious option, they would kick for posts. As the crowd stood baffled with the decision, Jayson Abbott stepped up once more, he connected well and the ball sailed through the uprights putting the Wildboys 15-0 up at halftime.
The second half convened and before long Trevor ‘How old are you’ Powell was breaking away again, left two on one with a lone A and C defender he did the obvious thing and released Max Wood who glided over the line to make it 20-0. Sadly, Trevor’s knees aren’t what they once were and he was injured when tackled, he was replaced by James Way, who after a reshuffle in the backs, was placed on the wing with Jayson Abbott stepping into his favoured 12 position. This break also saw Pieter Nell replaced by Jason Hankins who stepped up to play on the back row, seeing Elliot ‘utility Bev’ Bevan moving into second row.
Jayson Abbott made the most of moving back to the centre and before long was bouncing off a tackle and touching down for the fourth try of the day putting the score to 25-0. The previous conversion remained unmentioned for obvious reasons and so should have this one.
The Wildboys were then forced to defend for a period and were pinned back to in their half, but there was no need to fear, Harry Hillier picked the ball out the back of a maul and performed one of the worst box kicks ever seen, thankfully the Widboys recovered and the scoreline remained unchanged.
The Wildboys turned on the pressure once more and after bouncing off a few people, Adam Draper was away, sadly so were his unrippable blue shorts which were stripped from him leaving him in his stood in silky pants. The territory he gained during this travesty was not wasted, a good passage of rugby resulted which was finished off by a very well earned try from Robert ‘Quorn Sausage’ Nichols. It put the score at 30-0 to the Wildboys and this is how the match ended. It was another fine display from the Wildboys with man of the match nominations going to many Harry Hillier, Guy Hackshaw, William Taylor and Max Williams, but this week man of the match was awarded to Robert Nichols, who did not stop impressing for the full 80 minutes. Mare of the match was awarded to Ed Devine for his wonderful non try.
The Wildboys have a free week this coming weekend, but the Outlaws are heading over to Witney for a game and would love you to make yourself available for a game or to cheer them on. Until next time, keep it Wild….
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Man of the Match: Robert Nichols
Mare of the Match: Ed Devine
Tries: H.Hillier, W.Taylor, M.Wood, J.Abbott, R.Nichols
Conv: J.Abbott
Pen: J.Abbott