Cheltenham 33 v 20 High Wycombe
Cheltenham won this open and expansive game of running rugby by 5 tries to 4 against visitors High Wycombe Writes Derek M Clifford. In the opening exchanges it was evident that Cheltenham been paying attention to their defensive tackling as Wycombe assaulted the Home defence .But it was Cheltenham who scored first when last weeks man of match Teddy Saunders who drove over from short range for the try with Josh Herbert adding the extras. But the Wycombe hit back from the restart with Kenyan international Akindiji Akinwale spitting the home defence for a unconverted try.
High Wycombe took the lead shortly after when winger Ben Hardy was on hand to touchdown in the corner for a unconverted try to lead 10-7 after 14 minutes. Cheltenham had other ideas and from the restart gained turnover ball with Lee Douglas playing his first game of the season gliding through the Wycombe backline to find Herbert who ran in a fine try and a narrow 12-10 lead. As the game swung from end to end it was to be Cheltenham who scored next to extended their lead to 19-10 after 28 minutes break with prop Steve Moore came up with the ball after good play by the lighter Cheltenham pack with Herbert adding the conversion. Just before the half time Wycombe’s Dan Sumnall stole a soft unconverted try .After 9 minutes of the second half Cheltenham gained a man advantage with Skipper Simon Hawken shown a yellow card Cheltenham utilised this advantage when Centre Hamish Wrafter side stepped his way over for a fine try with Herbert’s touch line conversion sailing between the upright and a 26-15 lead .A 4th unconverted try was scored for Wycombe in the 76thminute by Matt Wardle. But despite Cheltenham losing flanker Tim Acheson for a yellow card offence it was the home side who completed the scoring with right wing Herbert crossing the white wash for arty which he converted himself to set up a interesting game next week against Swindon .
Cheltenham. Moore, Griffin, Saunders (Bryant 55), Milne, Simpson (Liebrandt 66), Acheson, Tuck, Daniell capt. Graham (Hill 67), Hough, Wrafter, Lait, Whitney, Herbert,Douglas.
High Wycombe, Day (Mann 67), Dorling, Partis, Price (McHarg 69), Churchyard, Jenkins, Burnham, Hawken capt, Hodson, Sumnall, Akinwale, Wardle, Smith, Hardy (Sark 63), Robinson.
Referee Robert Teare Notts,Lincs and Derby Society.
Cheltenham v 1st XV - Sat, 22 Oct 2011