Well – expecting a match report after fines night – but it is all just too good to be expected. Saving their best till later on in the season, the thirds headed to Abingdon on quite the hottest day of the year so far. With yet another back line combination, that brought back new boy Dave Askew at Fly half to provide ball to the rarest of Centre partnerships – a pair of Hendersons. The forwards opted for a more spritely approach with Ridley and Laney providing the power house in the second row. The game started and it was all up front, the forwards typically bullying their way around the park and starting the game with a crash over try. It was quickly clear however that our opponents defence in the back line was weak so the forwards gave way to back moves and once the backs had realise the option to pass was acceptable the score board started to tick over – Try Henderson, conversion Henderson, Try Henderson etc etc etc.

The forwards carried on playing with passion providing great platform and on occasion even taking a cheeky run themselves. The rarely seen and lesser spotted Payne took a 2 yard run to sneak one for the pack but the rhythm continued through the half with the Abingdon defence sorely tested by strong running from the 3s and ball reaching wingers (I dress in women’s swimwear) Monaghan and Pete Grayson to collect tries between them. Late in the first half with decisions starting to favour the home team, a run of penalties were quickly taken and a complacent Wally team let Abingdon sneak in under the posts. The Half ended with Wallingford some 50 odd points to 7 up.

The second half began with Wally convinced that they would concede no further points but a poorly received ball was knocked on and re gathered by Wallingford resulting in a penalty being awarded (hmm ?) – Quick penalty and Quick again was rewarded with the home team starting with 7 more points on the board. From then on, regardless that every restart was received in the Paddy field that bizarrely occupied the Wallingford right quarter of an otherwise dustbowl of a pitch, Wallingford took no prisoners. Tries came in from Ryan Macdonald (having a very complete game on the flank) and Eddie but then Pete Grayson gave for Isaac and Abingdon felt yet more pain. In just 20 minutes Isaac took 3 blistering runs from within his own 25 and on each occasion left the Abingdon defence flat footed and confused with each attempt being rewarded with a try under the post (this boy needs watching). Light entertainment was provided by the finest of Aerial kicking displays from Ridley and Hewitt, proving the well known fact that Fat boys can’t kick. Motm went to Ollie for his control of the backs and the fact that between the brothers they collected a haul of 5 tries with some great running rugby. Dotd to Witty, despite having a great game and please no one mention where the trophy is…?

One game left for the 3rds before results will be concluded but we may well end up mid table which is a great result as we were only promoted this season and have some very strong 2nd and 1st team oppositions. The last game being against Phoenix who put a cricket score up at the beginning of the season so all to play for…………

The weekends other results: