Chiltern Saxons 19-0 Henley Wanderers 2nd XV

After a disappointing result against Wallingford and a week without a game, the Saxons were back at Weedon Lane holding host to bottom of the table Henley Wanderers. Despite being bottom on -1 points, Henley’s results so far suggested they would be no pushovers, but the Saxons were determined to get back to winning ways.

The Saxons opted to utilise the wind in the first half and received the kick off. Despite the swirling wind, the Saxons back line put together some good moves with the ball being well-presented by the pack. With ‘wonder kid’ Smalley pulling the strings from 10, the backs were finding space to run into and it wasn’t long before Smalley spotted a gap and took his chance to cross the line for the first try of the game. Paul Sitzburger ably slotted the conversion for a 7-0 lead to the Saxons. With the wind in their faces, Henley were struggling to make it out of their half, but the pressure wasn’t being converted into points. Despite a strong pack, the Saxons were struggling in the scrum, although it could be argued that there may have been a spot of deliberate wheeling from the Henley forwards which the ref failed to penalise. Henley’s inability to clear their lines eventually cost them when number 8, Ed Buller, charged over. The conversion was missed making the score 12-0. This was the way it stayed until half-time, although Scott Jarrold could have grabbed another, but dropped the ball before the line, claiming he had heard a whistle! 

The second half was a little more competitive, with Henley having the wind advantage. However, the closest Henley came to scoring was a period of pressure in which the Saxons defence was put to the test and passed with flying colours, steadily driving them back until an error came and we could clear our lines. Midway through the second half, after some good forward work, Lurch managed to carry himself and a couple of Henley players over the line to make the score 17-0. Paul Sitzburger converted to add the extra 2 points and make it 19-0. 

A final period of pressure by the Saxons had Henley back in their 22 again. They managed to steal ball back but heaped more pressure on themselves with poor passing. This culminated in a Henley player picking the ball up beyond his try line and turning to see 4 or 5 Saxon players coming at him, including Michael ‘Shakira’ Buckler who uttered in a deathly whisper “We’re going to kill you’…this was enough to strike the fear of God into the Henley player who, instead of touching the ball down, switched himself into American Football mode and launched a long forward pass, seemingly looking for a non-existent wide receiver!! Luckily, as most of the Saxon players were now in stitches after seeing one of the funniest moments ever seen on a pitch at Weedon Lane, the final whistle was not far away, and the game ended 19-0 to the Saxons. 

Special mention goes to Matt Craggs, a Colt playing in the second row, who had gave a fine display. Man of the Match was awarded to Smalley, who commanded the game from 10. 

Team: 1. Pettinger 2. Shanks 3. Wall 4. Gibson 5. Craggs 6. Price 7. Isaacs 8. Buller 9. Sitzburger 10. Smalley 11. Buckler 12. Marsh 13. Bruce 14. Jarrold 15. Fletcher (capt.) Subs: 16. Farhi 17. Donnebaum 18. Wright 

Luke Donnebaum 25.10.08