Dragon's Teeth march on with another 5 points

The Teeth started facing the wind and High Wycombe got the game underway. With some plays straight off the training field, the Teeth moved down into the High Wycombe half and Matthew Edwards touched down for an early score and the perfect start. Converted by Roddy Clark, 0-7

After an interesting restart, the Teeth resumed with a scrum in the centre of the field. Once again, they were in the opposition 22 with ease and with great interplay between forwards and backs, Frankie Richardson crossed the whitewash from short range. Unconverted, 0-12

With a high-paced first ten minutes, the game settled into a more even pace. However, the Teeth remained on top and with a scrum on the opposition 22-metre line, looked to release the backs. Well, that was the plan. With the scrum on the front foot and an initial drive, the pack kept walking forward to score from 22 metres out*. Converted, 0-19

Once again, the game settled down as the High Wycombe team earned some possession. However, the Teeth defence held strong and Clark capitalised from a high tackle with a penalty, 0-22.

The rest of the half was played out with possession from both sides, but the Teeth scrum was proving a force. With a defensive scrum in their 22, High Wycombe were driven off the ball and conceded a penalty. Sacrificing the ‘easy 3’, Matt Flannigan took a quick tap and scrambled over the line for the bonus point try. Converted, 0-29.

HT score: 0-29

Halftime break over, the Teeth looked to tighten the screw and the focus was on defence. The line out had been hit and miss in the first half, but came together for a series of attacking plays. Cue Ben Barrows and his classic running lines to cross the try line. No tee, so Clark converts with a drop goal, 0-36

Whilst the Teeth defence held tight, the discipline and referee management didn’t match. After some messy play and ill-discipline, High Wycombe capitalised and scored under the posts. 7-36

Keen to make amends, the forwards got back to business and put the line out work to good use. A drive, then releasing of the backs (and Harry Chapman), saw Matthew Edwards slide over for his second of the day. Unconverted dropkick, 7-41

Once again, the forwards piled on the pressure and were close to the line. Unfortunately, ill-discipline one again saw High Wycombe back in the Teeth half and with a high tackle from one of the back three, High Wycombe were awarded a penalty try. 14-41

Keen to have the last word, the Teeth returned to the High Wycombe half and piled on the pressure. With tempers flaring on both sides, the Teeth were penalised. Tom decided to get a piece of Roddy’s drop kicking action, but the referee saw this as dissent and Tom spectated for the remainder of the game.

The game plan for the final few minutes remained unchanged. Forwards pressure, strong defence and clinical running from the backs. With High Wycombe conceding a penalty on their 5-metre line, Sam Longley capitalised from short range. Clark converts with the last kick of the game.

Full-time score: 14 - 49

Once again, the Dragon’s Teeth have put the hard work from training onto the field. Another great win and another 5 points.

Excitable captain, Matt Flannigan said, “The boys started on Saturday with a great intensity and physicality. There were strong performances all over the park, particularly up front from an outstanding pack.

“However, one of the most pleasing aspects was the disappointment in the changing room afterwards for letting the opposition score 2 tries, and also a recognition that we need to work to keep improving for tough games still to come"

Next week, the Dragon’s Teeth entertain Marlow IIs at Old Bath Road, see you there.

Tries: M. Edwards (2), F. Richardson, M. Flannigan (2), B. Barrows, S. Longley
Conversions: Clark (5)
Pens: Clark

*Matt Flannigan stealing the forwards’ credit