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UNDER PRESSURE: Witney fly half James Ellwood offloads

Southern Counties North

Witney fell away in the second half as they lost 41-10 at home to Wallingford.

Five second-half tries sunk a spirited Witney and left the visitors seemingly nailed on for a play-off spot or better.

Witney trailed just 12-10 at half-time and looked well-placed to make a real challenge.

But Wallingford simply upped the gears and cut loose, especially in a dominant final quarter.

The visitors spent the first five minutes camped in Witney's half and it was no surprise when captain Kris Blaszko twisted over from close range for the first try.

Fly half Pete Strang converted and already there were concerned looks among the home fans.

But Witney, who hadn't conceded a point in their two previous matches, clawed their way back in before fly half James Ellwood slotted an 11th-minute penalty.

Wallingford were still probing, but better was to come for the hosts.

An attack led by flanker Will Worrall was only foiled by an interception from Wallingford lock Paul Lewis.

But a minute later, Ellwood collected his own chip kick after a favourable bounce and looped a pass to centre Carl Strutt, who finished well.

Ellwood's conversion made it 10-7, but that was as good as it got for the hosts.

Witney lacked Wallingford's incision and this was highlighted on 32 minutes when centre Henry Pooler sliced and jinked his way through for a fine individual try.

Tempers flared as the half ended, it was Wallingford who were the more fired up after the break.

Strang broke two tackles to score and convert try No 3 on 45 minutes as the visitors started grinding Witney down.

Wallingford really turned the screw after home full Johnny Wheater was sin-binned on the hour mark.

The resulting penalty saw giant lock Mike Turner power over for an unstoppable try, which Strang converted.

Witney didn't help themselves on 65 minutes when wing James Monks dallied as he tried to deal with a kick ahead and possession was turned over.

No 8 Ian Jeffrey capped a superb individual game by following up to score in the corner.

With replacement wing Lewis Collins getting stuck in, Witney had a couple of glimmers, but were no match for Wallingford's well-organised defence.

At the other end, Pooler cut through on the right wing and delayed his pass to give lively replacement Nick Risk an easy finish.

Wallingford's commitment was exemplified by scrum half Derek Viljoen's super tap tackle on Witney's Henry Lamb as he looked like creating a consolation try.

The final move of the match produced arguably the best try as Wallingford full back Henry Venners began a counter-attack on half-way.

He linked well with Risk and was on hand to finish as the visitors kept the ball alive.

f=Helvetica s=6Witney: Wheater, Monks, C Strutt, J Collins, H Lamb, Elwood (L Collins 54), G Campbell, Dore, A Copperwheat, Serle, Fowler (Richens 62), J Hicks (capt), Muller (Bennett 62), Worrall, C Campbell.

8:49am Wednesday 13th February 2008

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