Witney 9 - Windsor 11
After the euphoria of last weeks’ away win in the local derby with ‘Chippy’,
rumours of a revamped team through injury or absence generated a hint of
anxiety among the Witney faithful as they prepared to watch the lads take on
what they knew would be a determined Windsor side on a ‘sticky wicket.’
From the KO Windsor had the best of the early exchanges and were rewarded
with a penalty after 15minutes following an ‘indiscretion’ by the returning
Owen Fowler at 5.As the game progressed Witney struggled to secure much of
their own ball particularly from the lineouts and the Windsor scrummage
continued to put the home side under pressure making it difficult for them to
exert any real control.
However , Witney equalised with an Ed Mitchum penalty after missing an
earlier opportunity and further penalties from both sides resulted in a half
time score of 6-6
In the second half Witney upped their effort from the KO but the game became
tense and edgy, littered with handling errors and infringements in the loose
by both sides but most of it was now being played in Windsor’s half. However,
Witney while still stuggling to secure any decent ball from their own set
pieces managed to put Windsor under considerable pressure in their own 22
with promising but unrewarded breakaways from ‘Snaz’ Campbell and newcomer
Ali McRoberts and were able to add a further 3 penalty points to take them
into a narrow lead.
A rare sortie by Windsor into the Witney 22 by way of a well placed kick to
touch gave them a lineout on the 5m line. The expected catch and drive was
foiled by some determined defensive work and a knock on by Windsor gave
Witney a put in to the scrum a couple of yards from their own line.
The ensuing scrummage proved decisive; Witney losing possession on their own
ball and the Windsor 8 secured the 5 points but they failed to make the
conversion.
At 9-11 down and with the clock ticking down an anxious home crowd watched
Witney launch a final assault on the Windsor end and with barely a minute to
go were rewarded with a penalty which was likely to be the last opportunity
to win the game and snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. The home crowd
waited with baited breath, but it was not to be and we all experienced the
disappointment of a league defeat for the first time this season.
1st XV
Mitchem, Collins(L), *Lamb(J), Strutt, Monks, Lamb(H), Campbell(G): Fuller,
Collins(S), Richens, Fowler, Bennett, Muller, McBurnie, Rowles
Repl: Haire, Kerr, McRoberts
