No inch asked or given in battle of Bucks (From Bucks Free Press)

Marlow and Wycombe square up with points to prove

11:10am Friday 19th October 2012 in Local Sport By Alan Feldberg

HIGH Wycombe RFC are hoping the cavalry will arrive in time for tomorrow’s trip across the motorway to Marlow.

The Kingsmead club have been beset by unavailability all season and five points from seven league fixtures shines a light on the damage it has done.

Head coach Dave Roberts said: “At this level it’s something we as coaches have to bear. The guys are doing it for enjoyment and they have other commitments.

“It is frustrating, but it’s part of the game at this level.”

Last Saturday was another example of the challenges facing Roberts, as a severely under-strength Wycombe side were hammered 50-12 at Bletchley.

Roberts said: “We had 11 first team players unavailable, all for genuine reasons.

“We’re asking second team players to step up. We had an 18-year-old at fly half, which is an influential position.

“He gave it his best shot, but he’s a young lad and it was a big ask.”

“But there were positives. We scrummaged very well and for a spell in the second half we stepped up and showed glimpses of what we’re capable of.”

With their big Bucks rivals next in line, Wycombe will demand more than glimpses of their potential.

Their coach said: “I seem to be repeating myself, keep saying our season starts now and then that keeps getting pushed back.

“But looking at the next few weeks, we should have a much stronger side.

“Guys are coming back for the Marlow game and I expect to have all of the 11 available.

“Our back line will be totally different and I’m looking for a big performance.”

Meanwhile, Marlow have called last weekend’s 55-14 loss at Coney Hill a blip and instead are warming up for Wycombe tomorrow with the swash and buckle of previous high-scoring wins in their minds.

Coach John Brodley said: “That result will have no bearing on the match whatsoever. It’s a difficult place to go to mentally, the heartland of Gloucester, and we’re putting it down to a blip.
 

“The game got away from us a bit and once it got to 30 points it was quite easy to let it get to 50.
 

“But we’ve been on an upward curve and after taking a beating the best game we could have is Wycombe at home.
 

“All our focus in on that game and everyone wants to play. I’m picking from a full squad the important thing is not to let the occasion get to us. We have to control our emotions and let them worry about us rather than us worrying about them.”
 

Jordan Brodley and Harry Rodger scored their only points last weekend, but Marlow have shown plenty of dash already this season and will be hot favourites against the side bottom of the league.
 

Brodley said: “You can throw the form book out of the window in any local derby. Players get extra motivation and the league table doesn’t mean anything.”