Buzzard Colts kick Doncaster Knights into touch
Quarter final place in National Cup awaits
Buzzard Colts 37
Doncaster Knights Colts 27
National Colts Cup Fifth Round
Buzzards Colts, having arrived at the last 16 of this national competition for the first time in the club's history, were relishing the opportunity of challenging a Doncaster side whose professional 1ST XV play in the Championship, only one run down from the top level Guinness Premiership. Buzzards had worked hard in preparation for this huge game and were fielding a squad totally unencumbered by senior calls to the 1st XV and school commitments. As a consequence, the squad was the strongest available so far this season and all augured well for a very tough match indeed!
D's won the toss and kicked off up the slope, to a huge roar from the large Buzzard crowd. As was to be expected, both sides were determined to make an immediate impression on their opponents. D's put in a big hit on the Buzzard catcher, and drove over vigorously, they were rewarded with a penalty opportunity when Buzzards were adjudged to have not released the ball. The simple chance was taken and D's had a dream start, 0-3.
Buzzards repeated the trick themselves, when they flattened the receiver from the restart. D's managed to recycle but were under real pressure and struggled to clear their lines effectively. Buzzards defence swarmed over D's and pinned them deep in their own 22 meter area. Buzzards soon stuck back, when they moved the ball wide for a scrum. The backs handling and pace was excellent and winger Pratt rounded his opposite number, the cover defence was their, but a fine inside pass, found fly half Adams in close support, as he dived over in the right hand corner, the difficult conversion was just missed 5-3.
D's were clearly struggling with the Buzzard handling and pace and set about making their mark on the game, as they kept he ball tight and elected to drive at their opponents at every opportunity. D's driving maul was effective, if somewhat limited in ambition, but they made ground close to the breakdowns. When they did release the ball, they struggled to move the ball wide and elected to kick on numerous occasions.
Buzzards were next to score when D's cynically offended 15 meters out, following a mesmerising 50 m run from centres Whitehouse and Morgan. Buzzards elected to kick for goal and Whitehouse duly converted Buzzards landmark first penalty attempt of the season after 22 games, for a deserved 8-3 lead.
D's clearly knew it was game on and they responded well, as they again drove at the Buzzard pack. Buzzards knocked on under pressure in their own 22 and D's kept it tight as they drove to the line. D's recycled quick ball and smashed it up close again, a valiant tackle from Morgan saw the attacker felled, but he regained his feet and just made the line at the base of the post, for a well worked try, the simple conversion gave D's the lead, a little against the run of play, but clearly demonstrating their forward capabilities, 8-10. Centre Morgan was unfortunately injured in the tackle and had to leave the field, taking no further part in proceedings.
Play was end to end, Buzzards attacked with ball in hand, D's electing to kick and driving in the forwards. Buzzards were awarded another penalty which unfortunately bounced off the upright, a better follow up might have brought a try, as D's were slow to react. Buzzards upped the anti and moved the ball at real pace, threatening several times to break away. D's had done their home work and desperately tried to defend the midfield, working the off side line, often well beyond the laws. As they scrambled into the wide channels, they inevitably left gaps, flanker Lingard exploited one, when he received the ball 55 meters out and exploded into open field, leaving a trail of defenders in his wake, he then outpaced the cover defence to score a quality try close to the posts, conversion Whitehouse 15-10.
From the restart it was all Buzzards, every breakdown saw a number of D's players strewn across the park as they struggled with the game tempo. They were fortunate that the match official was also struggling, so they had the opportunity to regain their breath, before the next onslaught. Prop Evans pulled a muscle, as Buzzards injury woes continued, but Swann off the bench (as with Earl for Morgan earlier) showed the undoubted quality of the Buzzard squad.
The next score was crucial and Buzzards looked the most likely candidates. Lingard duly obliged when the D's 10 under massive pressure had his kick charged down deep in his own 22 by Lingard, who easily won the footrace to the line. 20-10
With time nearly up for the half, Buzzards stole the ball on the half way line and scrum half Esdon hit Adams at speed up the short side. Adams cut through the gap at amazing pace and raced in from 45m for the final score of the half. Unfortunately a defender arrived late to the try line and performed an illegal two footed tackle on Adams as he scored, injuring him and removing a real threat from the Buzzard armoury for the rest of the match, the culprit amazingly remained unpunished, 25-10.
Buzzards regrouped at half time, with Hamper joining the fray, and Whitehouse moving into the 10 slot. Buzzards knew that the next score would be key, as they had demoralised D's.
The half started with D's determined to regain some dominance, but with such a limited game plan they were always likely to struggle when they did attempt to move the ball. Buzzards' counter attacked well from D's relieving kick and soon found themselves pressing the D's line. An attacking scrum saw Messum pick up and link with Pratt who beat his man close to the line with ease to score wide out on the right for a deserved 30-10 lead.
D's to their credit kept their heads up and with more than half an hour remaining knew they had time to claw back the Buzzard lead.
Their biggest problem was their forward orientated approach and complete lack of ambition, meant it took huge amounts of time off the clock, continually driving the ball tight into contact.
The Buzzard defence in open play was water tight further cutting down D's options. D's line out was functioning well and they elected to kick for territory whenever possible. D's got back into the game when Buzzards were harshly penalised contesting the ball at the breakdown and a deep touch finder saw them 5m from the Buzzard line, with the advantage of the throw. Buzzards defended the forward surge twice, before D's finally broke though , the simple conversion for 30-17 giving them a chink of light at the end of the tunnel.
Buzzards were back on the offensive as the pattern of the game continued, Buzzards with ball in hand and D's trying to bludgeon their way over the line. Buzzards then scored the try of the game, as the backs showed a level of skill and lines of running that mesmerised the D's defence, Pratt on the right wing ghosted through the well worked gap and showed a clean pair of heals to the floundering defence, Whitehouse conversion giving Buzzards a 37-17 score line. With 15 minutes remaining yet another injury. Lingard left the field with an injured shoulder, ably replace by McGarvey and Keating replaced Earl, who had worked manfully throughout in spite of his lack of match practise through illness.
D's showed their qualities and commitment, as they continued to attack the Buzzards in spite of the margin of the scores. It wasn't pretty, but they continued to attack using "route one rugby". Buzzards defended like daemons and held the line on numerous occasions, as D's ran straight and hard every time. Buzzard looked as if they could defend all day, when suddenly Prop Hunt was singled out for being off side and was very harshly sent to the sin bin. Prop Holmes was brought on for the scrums.
Spurred by the man advantage, D's eventually managed to cross the line following several more forward drives for a hard earned converted try. 37-22.
The final minutes of the game were all played on the Buzzard try line. D's already a man up, need no further invitation and scored from a drive right on the final whistle, the conversion giving them a some what flattering 37-27 score line.
Coach Rod Keating said: "A great win for the young Buzzards, playing the game with passion, commitment and a real ambition to attack with the ball in hand. This very young side showed real maturity, as they seamlessly dealt with the loss of five key players during the game.
"Congratulations are due very much to the whole squad of players, not just the match day 22, who have all worked so hard to deservedly reach the last eight of this National competition, a fantastic achievement indeed.
"Well played also to Doncaster, who contributed to a very tense and entertaining match, they were gracious in defeat, acknowledging Buzzards' greater pace and superior handling skills. Buzzards clearly have some work to do defending the driving maul, which you can guarantee will be worked on at training this week.
"Next week, Buzzards are urgently hunting for a match from the fixtures pool, in order to make sure all squad members not in action on Saturday are given much needed game time, as the Colts move towards the "sharp" end of the season."
Saturday, February 20, TBA. Training Tuesdays and Thursdays 7pm to 8.45. New players of all abilities are very welcome. www.buzzardrugby.co.uk
Leighton Buzzard U15 21
Ampthill 12
The U15s played Ampthill on Sunday and served up another hard fought game that went to the wire. Ampthill started the stronger and were quickly 7–0 ahead with a well worked try but Buzzards were already showing some resistance with Smokin' Joe Beaumont and James Batchelor leading the resistance at some very competitive rucks.
Both packs fought for possession and the front five were pretty impressive both in the tight, where the strength and nous of Connor Probert, Jamie Hooper and Harry Wears came to the fore (in Harry's case of course that was more strength than nous). Joe Woodman policed the fringes, flirting with the offside line (some present put it a little stronger than that) and making his presence felt against his old club.
The possession led to some good runs from the backs with Will Guyon and mastermind Braithwaite playing a distributing role and orchestrating a number of penetrating attacks, one of which launched Ollie Guyon on a bursting run that saw him score under the posts.
Alistair Hills was taken out of the inside centre comfort zone and thrown in at full back, no more the preening vanity we have seen, he threw himself into his defensive role with gusto, making last ditch try saving tackles on a number of occasions, he got his reward with a chance to score and put Buzzards 14-7 ahead at half time with Beaumont adding his second successful conversion.
Ampthill were far from finished and closed the score to 14-12 where it remained for most of the second half, the visitors nearly took the game when Hills fed his old teammate MacLeod with a beautiful offload, unfortunately the Flying Scot MacLeod left the club this season and was playing for Ampthill. With the game in the balance the last move of the game saw Hills cut an incisive line for his second and the winning try again converted by Beaumont.
Congratulations are due to both teams for a superb display of rugby, training continues on Wednesdays at 7pm, all players welcome.
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Weather for Leighton Buzzard
Friday 25 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 21 mph
Wind direction: East
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Temperature: 11 C to 22 C
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