On the 26th of November the newly promoted Reading Abbey entered uncharted territory when travelling to Kingsey Road to face the infamous Chinnor Wildboys. Rewind 94 years and this must have been how Howard Carter and Lord Carnarvon felt when they became the first people to enter the tomb of Pharaoh Tutankhamun in over 3000 years.
Reading Abbey looked fresh faced as they aggressively began their warm up, whilst the Wildboys slowly began their traditional game of touch. With captain George White's words of encouragement the Wildboys got fired up for what they thought was going to be a close encounter, since Ready Abbey have had some strong results in recent weeks.
Without the prolific cry of Wild Bill when the ball was sent high at kick off the Herbalife King Mark Wilkinson claimed it and the Wildboys were off. Before long the Wildboys had earned their first scrum well within their own half. The set piece was called, and this sent Adam Draper charging through a gap larger enough for Dane White to waddle through. A strong finish saw him comfortably touch down under the posts. Peter Way did the honours. 7-0.
Before long the Wildboys were back in the opposing half and birthday boy Tom White touched down for his first of the game! Again, Peter Way did the honours. 14-0. The next try came from fly-half Rob Nichols who chipped over the oncoming defensive line, tapped the ball past the last remaining defender and collected to have a successful foot race with the sweeping winger. This conversion was another easy one for Peter Way as he put the score to 21-0.
This put the enthusiastic heads of Reading Abbey down, as they felt the onslaught would continue. Assure enough it did, as further tries came from anywhere in the park from the likes of Adam Draper, Rob Nichols, Guy Hackshaw and John Down, of which some were converted.
Unfortunately due to injury we saw the much anticipated return of Mark Bradburn to the Wildboys squad leave the field, shortly followed by Peter Way who hurtied his groin. Pathetic.
The 2nd half was much of the same, as the tries kept coming in. A 2nd from Tom White who picked up the mention for a well worked forwards try, and a hatrick was awarded to both Adam Draper and Rob Nichols as the Reading Abbey defensive struggled to cage them. A surprise try came from
Jayson Abbott who doesn't like to score points in rugby games, and he was awarded with a hug from his boyfriend George Hope who was also having a great game.
At some point in the game Sam Ludgate and Max Williams got themselves on the scoreboard and the final kick of the game was taken by captain George White who got impatient waiting for the cone to be retrieved from the sideline, so decided to take a drop goal. Much to his own surprise, this sailed over the uprights and finished the scoring at 81-0.
Credit to Reading Abbey as they never truly gave up, and were very graceful in defeat. Sam Ludgate, Jayson Abbott and Mark Wilkinson were all nominated for Man of the Match for all having excellent games, but the winner this week was awarded to Rob Nichols because he ran really fast, dummied a lot, and scored many tries. The Mare of the Match had fewer nominations - George White got one for leaving the pitch, and Dane White got a couple because he got arrested, but hands down this was awarded to Rob Nichols who missed a drop goal directly in front of the sticks when there was a rather large overlap he could have used.
Until next time, keep it wild...
You know you love me
xoxo
Gossip Girl

Man of the Match: Rob Nichols
Mare of the Match: Rob Nichols
Tries: R. Nichols (3), A. Draper (3), T. White (2), M. Williams, S. Ludgate, G. Hackshaw, J. Down, J. Abbott
Conv: P. Way (3), H. Hillier (4), G. White (1)