An Eddie Roche hat-trick enabled High Wycombe to overcome a brave Drifters team 31-11 in the Southern Counties North.

After a scrappy start it was the home team who struck first when Wycombe were penalised for a high tackle in front of their posts and the three points were taken 3-0.

Wycombe hit back when a great scrum close to the line, when a controlled drive from the pack enabled Eddie Roche to pick up and score, with Joe Openshaw making the kick 7-3.

Drifters retook the initiative after an accurate throw at a lineout saw them set up a maul and go over to score. The kick was missed and the score at half-time remained 8-7.

Wycombe began the second half strongly as Henry Wise went under the posts with Openshaw making the kick 8-14. The away team extended their lead when Openshaw’s intelligent kick behind the defense allowed pacy winger James Outten to outstrip the defense, scoop up the ball and score in the corner, with the kick missed 8-19.

Drifters kicked a penalty to reduce the deficit to 11-19 before Roche went over to extend Wycombe’s lead 11-24. Another excellent Wycombe scrum enabled Roche to go over for a push over try and his third of the match, with Openshaw making the kick to round off the scoring at 11-31.

Overall a scrappy game but Wycombe’s second half performance was enough to see them win comfortably in the end. Drifters never gave up and looked threatening especially in the first half.

Injuries to both teams and the referee’s whistle meant it was a stop start affair but Wycombe came away with the five points and now have a week’s break until their last home game of the season against Gosford All Blacks.