HIGH Wycombe maintained their perfect winning record at home in the Southern Counties North this season after a 12-3 victory against Bucks rivals Chesham on Saturday.

Wycombe have won in all four of their matches at Kingsmead Road, losing both on their travels, and this most recent success has moved them into the top half in the league table.

The home team handed debuts to the trio of Toby Disbury, Toby Payne and Lewey Newton, plus were able to welcome back Ayrton Hooker from injury.

With heavy rain falling from the start, it made it difficult for both sides to play any rugby and the game was understandably littered with handling errors.

The hosts had the first chance at points as Chesham were penalised at the ruck and debutant Payne opted for the difficult kick at goal, which fell just short.

High Wycombe had a second opportunity for points when the visitors were adjudged to have used their hands in a ruck but this time the kick went just wide.

Chesham were soon on the attack as the hosts failed to deal with an up-and-under and, after some strong carries from their forwards, Wycombe were penalised for being offside. Toby Deane slotted a difficult penalty kick from out wide to break the deadlock.

The away side suffered a blow when winger Alfie Pettifer was yellow-carded for a high tackle.

Wycombe took a 5-3 lead heading into the break as the ball was fed to the backs after a scrum and eventually several carries and some quick hands found Jamie Vowles to score on the wing.

The start to the second half seemed to coincide with the rain getting even heavier, making the ball more like a bar of soap. Both sides tried to play good rugby but it often ended with a knock on or a handling error and the game was littered with scrums.

High Wycombe secured the win when a ball back inside to the returning Hooker saw him bulldoze his way through two tackles and score under the posts, with Payne making the conversion kick.

With the rain showing no signs of relenting, there were no more chances for either team and both players and supporters were glad to hear the final whistle.

It was an extremely difficult game with the conditions as they were and it could have been a banana skin for Wycombe, but they dug in and deserved the victory.

Chesham however played well and their position at the bottom of the league table does not do them justice.

High Wycombe go in search of a first away win this season when making the trip to second bottom and winless Didcot whilst Chesham, also still without a win, host Bucks rivals Marlow this Saturday.