Game of Fives for the Wildboys

In previous editions of the Wildboys weekly report, it has been noted about the rise of the Village People and their successful hymn about the YMCA. Well on the 2nd of January 1978 the song reached its peak in the American Billboard Charts, hitting the dizzy heights of 2. If you move forward to the same day in 1994 and set your televisions to BBC 1, you8 would be greeted by Simon Mayo presenting TOTP, on this such episode there was a performance of D:Reams “Things can only get better” along with Red Hot Chili Peppers “Give it away”. Now fast forward 18 years and the Wildboys were welcoming Windsor to Kingsey Road for their second encounter of the 2017/18 season.
The Wildboys team sheet looked ferocious and after notching a MOM performance on the wing the week prior, Chris Jeffcock was back out on the wing to dominate once more, and just that he did, darting over for the first try of the day with barely any minutes passed. Harry Hillier stepped up for the conversion but sadly missed, but not to fear Fazza also missed his first attempt in the 6 nations opener (it happens to the best of us).
The game continued and the Wildboys had a lineout out on the 10m line, now which George White were they to be faced with today? The wonky donkey? Or the Phil ‘the power’ Tayloresque George we had the week before. Thankfully it was the latter and a well collected lineout allowed the forwards to drive the ball onwards, Sam Ludgate mate a typical break and was tackled on his way to the try line, Tom White collected the ball from the floor and touched down for the second try of the day. Harry Hillier stepped up again, once again it sailed wide, but not to worry as Farrell also missed his first two kicks the day after, so onwards and upwards.
The Wildboys looked to be on top of their game, and continued to press, they dominated and then had a disallowed try for Harry Lowe, as the scrum half for the day, Tom Jarvis seemingly knocked the ball on. George Hope also had a try disallowed for a similar infringement. George White then had a try disallowed after a clinical manoeuvre from the lineout saw the White brothers link up like Jordie and Beuden Barrett, or more like Mario and Luigi, nonetheless, George was in, flying down the win for a sure try, but it was not to be, he was caught by the 6 stone scrum half and sat down within reaching distance of the line. He then reached for the line, touched down, but was impinged for a double movement.
Finally, an actual try was scored, this time Jayson Abbott was cutting a powerful line and skipping through the defence, finally putting the ball down for the Wildboys third try of the day. Hillier stepped up confidently, again the strike was wide, but surely more attempts were to come and in the wise words of D:Ream, “Things can only get better”.
The game progressed and next it was the in form Jon Goodson who found himself near the try line with the ball in hand, with a bellowing roar of "I'm gonna wreck it" he battered through the defence to score a wonderful try. The conversion? Well D:Ream were way off point and completely wrong!
A great link up in the backs saw Jon Down put through Guy Hackshaw who excellently executed the chance, he ran in towards the post in a bid to ensure the extra 2 points were achieved. His helping hand was swatted away, and Hillier missed again seeing his efforts described as “close but no cigar” and it appeared though he was doing his best to “Give it Away”.
Half time was called, and the score stood in a multiple of 5 at 25-0.
The second half commenced, as did the form of the Wildboys, before long the freshly introduced Trevor Powell was scoring, followed by a brace from the outstanding Max Williams. It now came as no surprise that each of the conversions were missed, even the one directly in front of the posts. It had now reached the point that even the referee was questioning Hillier.
At 40-0 the Wildboys then had a slip in concentration allowing a Windsor player to dart through and score a well deserved try. The conversion effort was in keeping with the structure of the game and was missed.
The final score of the day went to the bulldozer, Sam Ludgate who has put himself in contention for the Adam Draper award and who put the final score at 47-5. Of course, that is a lie, the score was 45-5 as once again the conversion was not executed with the slightest of accuracy.
Man of the Match was a difficult choice, with many gaining a vote but it was once again a shootout between Max Williams and Sam Ludgate, with Max narrowly claiming the accolade.
The Mare of the Match was this week unprecedented with a record number of votes including one from the referee going to Harry Hillier.
Next week the Wildboys have a well-earned break and will be out in number cheering on the Chinnor squad in the Oxfordshire cup. Until then, keep it wild….

You know you love me
Gossip Girl
xoxoxo #

Man of the Match: Max Williams
Mare of the Match: Harry Hillier
Tries: C.Jeffcock, T.White, J.Abbott, J.Goodson, S.Ludgate, G.Hackshaw, T.Powell, M. Williams(2)
Conv: