Evolutionary Victory for the Wildboys

‘On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection, or the Preservation of Favoured Races in the Struggle for Life’ was published on 24 November 1859. This work of scientific literature by Charles Darwin is more commonly referred to as just ‘On the Origin of Species’ and is considered to be the foundation of evolutionary biology. Darwin's book introduced the scientific theory that populations evolve over the course of generations through a process of natural selection.
158 years after the publication of this theory, there was no clearer evidence to support it than when witnessing the statuesque figures of the Wildboys emerge from the changing rooms at Braywick park to face Maidenhead II’s. Natural selection at its finest was on display with a fine-looking group of Wildboys ready to take on one of their title rivals who adorned the familiar purple and black of Maidenhead.
If you cast your mind back to the report of the Wildboys vs Bracknell, in which the home record of the Wildboys was quashed after over 2 years, the ‘he who shall not be named’ who featured so heavily in the black and white of Chinnor, was on this day turned out in the aforementioned colours of Maidenhead. As the match began the question everyone asked was could this player be once again pivotal in the downfall of the Wildboys?
As the game began, the hard-hitting upfront rugby of Maidenhead put the Wildboys on the back foot, they appeared slightly flustered and when their lineout was turned over, the lack of communication saw a slow moving defensive line and allowed the Maidenhead 12 to jink through the line to score the first try of the day. It was converted putting the score 7-0 to the home side.
The surprised Wildboys took this as a stark awakening of what was to be a real battle of a game. They responded gallantly and before long the ever-influential Sam Ludgate was converting from what had been a perfectly-executed line out. The resulting conversion was certainly not the sweetest of the day and went wayward, much to the visible and audible glee of one certain Maids player.
Maidenhead continued in the same vain that they had started the game, more powerful hard lines and more slippery runs saw their centre once again get over. The Wildboys fought back again with some good phases but an uncharacteristic error saw an intercepted pass, allowing Maidenhead to trot over for another try. Both were converted with ease and put the Wildboys in the unfamiliar position of being 21-5 down.
The score line as it was and all within the first 20 minutes, was a real test of the resolve of last year’s champions. The Wildboys had two options, they either evolved and adapted to face the threat or they faced extinction. It appeared that they chose the former, some hard lines and forceful play led to a powerful try from the try machine that is Adam Draper. The conversion was struck well but not quite enough. Chinnor then were on the front foot for the next few minutes and a beautiful offload from Nicholas Harrison (playing in his favourably numbered position) put Robert Nichols into space who hobby horsed his way over the tryline to close the gap further. Harry Hillier slotted the conversion making the score 21-17 and suddenly the Wildboys were very much back in the game.
Maidenhead did not want to let their lead dwindle and they were once again taking the game to the Wildboys, they were rewarded for their efforts with another converted try and at the close of the half were 28-17 in the lead.
Half-time allowed the Wildboys to re-group and it was apparent that they were all very much enjoying the game and the challenge it presented. Fight or flight was the main topic of the half-time chat, and they were confident that their heightened state of nervous arousal, would be a mechanism that aided their survival and ultimately ensured their victory.
As the second half commenced, the newly introduced Tots Rackstraw carried the ball hard and felled one of the oak like second rows, causing him to retire for the remainder of the game. This fresh new life came at the right time and caused the whole team to up the intensity in both attack and defence. Tom Jarvis entered the fray at 9 as did Chris Jeffcock at 5, both replacing players who had put in quite the shift in the preceding minutes. The fresh new legs allowed the Wildboys to continue in the same vain and after lots of big carries from the forwards, Thomas White and George Hope found themselves in an embrace like two strictly contestants amongst a wash of purple clad backing dancers, finally they parted ways over the tryline and George touched down for the fourth wild try of the day. The conversion was struck sweetly, but held up in the prevailing wind and narrowly dropped short. The score was now 28-22 and all was to play for.
With 10 minutes left on the clock, the Wildboys attacked with ferocity, only to knock on and set up a Maidenhead scrum. All 8 of the Chinnor forwards pushed like their lives depended on it, walking the Maidenhead pack backwards and turning the opposition. The scrum was reset, and the second scrum was more of the same, this time the Maidenhead 9 picked the ball up on the back foot and panicked at the on-rushing Jarvis, with the only option of touching down for a Chinnor Scrum. The tension and excitement could be sensed all around and Maidenhead knew what it meant, sending back on their big prop to aid their defence. As the ball was put in the over-powering Chinnor pack did all they could to keep the scrummage straight, but at the same time had to sacrifice the ground gained. Tom ‘The Noise’ Jarvis took it upon himself to collect the ball and go alone, darting over the tryline directly underneath the posts. Elation came from the Wildboys on and off the pitch, but the game was far from over, 28-27 to Maidenhead, the conversion had to be made. Harry Hillier offered the kick to Jarvis, who politely declined. Hillier stepped up knowing what the kick meant, he hit it with all his might it sailed over to put the Wildboys 1 point in the lead with 1-minute remaining.
The restart was lofted into the Wildboys pack, solid ball retention saw the seconds count down, Jarvis took the ball out the back and punted it high, the Maidenhead player underneath spilled the ball forward and finalized the score at 29-28 to the Wildboys. It was a superb performance from all 18 of the Chinnor players and showed real spirit and determination.
Man of the match nominations went to Mark Bradburn, Thomas White and George Hope for their big tackles, big carries and work around the park. Debutant Max Graham was nominated for his solid shift out on the wing and celebrated by falling asleep at the table at 8 o’clock that evening. However, this week’s Man of the Match was awarded to Tots Rackstraw, he carried the ball like a trooper and as previously stated was the catalyst for the whole team to up their energy levels. Mare of the match was almost impossible after a great performance, but was this week awarded to George Blewitt for playing for Maidenhead.
The Wildboys have a two-week break before they welcome Amersham and Chilton to Kingsey Road, until then, keep it wild….
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xoxoxo

Man of the Match: Tots Rackstraw
Mare of the Match: George Blewitt
Tries: S.Ludgate, R.Nichols, A.Draper, G.Hope, T.Jarvis
Conv: H.Hillier(2)