Buzzard U15s in fine performance against Tabard
Buzzard U13s beat Bletchley again
Leighton Buzzard U13 29
Bletchley 27
Regular readers will recall that Buzzards U13s travelled to Bletchley last month to play their combined U13s/U14s. This match was an almost exact rerun of that successful encounter. Even down to Buzzard U16 and qualified RFU ref Charlie Holmes refereeing.
Forewarned by their previous experience, Bletchley beefed up their U14 contribution and Buzzards were soon two tries down as Bletchley's powerful runners tore holes in the Buzzard defence. However, on this occasion Buzzards had their regular captain, Henry Peck, on the field to allow parity in the lineout.
Furthermore Buzzards pack as ever, got the nudge on in the scrums with their usual front row of Steve Cox, Owen Garland and Ben Fisher.
Henry's partner at second row, Simran Singh proved highly mobile and effective around the field.
Buzzards pressure caused mistakes by Bletchley allowing Reece Harris-Smith to score Buzzards first try of the day. However, Bletchley reacted strongly, scoring their third try of the half.
Gaining confidence Buzzards attacked again minutes later down the right wing with Reece Harris Smith being held up close to the line. Close support by Benjamin Johnson allowed him to drive over just inside the corner flag.
To finish off a an exciting first half Reece Harris-Smith claimed his second try of the game, spinning of a maul with his usual power and pace. Conversion by Ben J.
The second half opened with no let up in intensity. Buzzards back row of Reece Brown and Timothy Moodey drove for all they were worth whilst half backs Peter Herring and Jordan Clay proved a crucial link allowing Buzzard centres Tom King and Ben Beaumont to test the Bletchley defence.
However, the makeup of the Bletchley side put the Buzzard speed merchants at a disadvantage and Buzzards most effective play in this situation was typified by Steve Cox, another new player this season, whose combination of strength and determination saw him score an excellent driving try.
The big Bletchley lads weren't giving up without a fight and a firm hand by the ref saw one player from each side sent off the pitch for 10 minutes. Bletchley launched some effective attacks in this time scoring two tries and converting one, despite the best efforts of Phillip Price and William Batchelor who tackled hard all game.
Buzzards were now five points behind with five minutes to play when a driving run by Henry Peck down the right wing was finished off with an excellent try only a few yards in from the touchline. With the scores tied and three minutes to play, Benjamin Johnson landed a long range conversion to the delight of the away supporters. Buzzards maintained their lead to close out a very tough game.
Leighton Buzzard U15 19
Tabard 17
Buzzards U15s were involved in another tight and entertaining game of rugby, this week taking on Tabard. The match started at frenetic pace and the visitors looked set for an early score with their speedy winger catching the home side's three quarters by surprise and was stopped only by a last ditch tackle from covering flanker Ollie Guyon. The Buzzard backs put together some moves of their own with Will Guyon making space for breaks from Alfie G-Potter and winger Poppet Ellis.
Some straight running saw Tabard score first but this galvanised the Buzzards' pack who took control of the scrummage, Ben Stephens once again more than holding his own at prop and Tyler Green making life difficult for the opposition hooker, with plenty of second row grunt from Woody Woodman and Harry Wear. The first phase possession was supplemented by good ruck ball with Buzzards forwards competing for everything led by Joe Beaumont and Ollie Guyon.
Quick thinking from a tap penalty saw Josh Price feed the backs, full back Alistair Hills came into the line creating a three on two which he exploited with a show of the ball to the supporting Raef Brathwaite and a cut back under the posts for a fine try.
The game was far from one sided but Buzzards kept up the pressure with Hugh Waller impressing in his first outing for Buzzards with some powerful and determined running and Will Peck adding timely support. A scrum on the 22 was won by Buzzards, quick hands from the half backs Price and Guyon gave mastermind Braithwaite the chance to run at a gap between the Tabard centres, a chance he took with relish to score a try converted by Beaumont.
Tabard pressed Buzzards and a particularly memorable move saw Buzzards gain turnover ball and pass to prop Connor Probert in his own 22 with the visiting fly half bearing down on him, he beat his opponent with the sweetest sidestep you are likely to see before passing the ball to centre Alfie and relative safety. Yet more clean scrummage ball saw full back Hills again join the line, create space with a dummy as outrageous as Probert's sidestep was sweet and cut back inside for his second try, once more converted by Beaumont.
Tabard again came back at Buzzards, Ollie G and Nat Price showing the winger a little too much of the outside and giving him the chance of a fine individual try. Price did not allow that to happen again as he regularly nailed his opposite number who was looking for the winning score. Everyone played their part as Tabard applied pressure of their own in the last five minutes but Buzzards were able to move down field and close a terrific game out to win 19–17.
Both teams deserve praise for serving up a fine match played in a superb spirit. Training for Buzzards continues on Wednesdays, any new players welcome.
Buzzard Colts 89
Bugbrooke Colts 0
East Midlands Colts League
Buzzards with a tough and congested fixture list as a consequence of the inclement weather during December and January were more than happy to be able to play this rearranged home league fixture. Bugbrooke's mid table position belied their defensive capabilities, as they had only conceded 68 points in their six league outings. Buzzards, on the other hand, needed to move their own point's difference forward, if they were to move into the league play off positions, where nearest rivals Buckingham and Bedford Athletic could both deny them a place.
Buzzards' were short of a number of players due to 1St XV & schools seven's commitments, plus injuries to a number of experienced players. None the less, the entire squad had been working extremely hard on the training paddock, as they all had an eye on the named 22, for the forthcoming National Cup quarterfinal game on Saturday.
Buzzards started off where they had left off at training, with a pace and tempo that was a joy to watch. Bugbrooke were immediately under pressure but it was clear they were a more than competent side, as the defended stoutly, as wave after wave of Buzzards attacked from all areas of the pitch.
Buzzards' forwards were in the ascendancy and supplied an endless steam of quality possession to the backs. Despite dominating possession and territory, it was not until the 12th minute that Buzzards broke the deadlock.
Centre Morgan made a telling break and quick hands and support saw fullback Kempster screech in for a try, conversion Whitehouse.
Bugbrooke restarted and Buzzards counter attacked immediately from deep. A series of breaks and quick interchanges by almost the whole team, saw winger Keating race into the corner for a second score, in very short shrift.
Bugbrooke looked to test the Buzzards fringe defence, as they elected to keep the ball tight, they were smashed back relentlessly on the gain line, as Buzzards defended as if their very lives depended on it.
Buzzards in complete contrast elected to pass and support at real pace and were constantly breaking the gain line. Flanker Lingard, recovering from a hamstring problem, showed his qualities, when he was in close support of Keating, who was tackled a yard short of the line, but whose excellent off-load found the rampaging flanker in close support.
Buzzards noticeably upped their tempo and Bugbrooke were blown away, as they put together 15 minutes of almost faultless rugby. A quick penalty on half way saw the ball moved wide to winger Hamper, who raced under the posts for a quality score, conversion Whitehouse. Fly half Adams was the next on the score sheet, as he finished of a simply scintillating move, conversion Whitehouse. Lingard notched his second, as his omnipresence again paid dividends, conversion Whitehouse. Not to be outdone, Hamper scored his second shortly after, as he was again the recipient of some quick possession from the rampaging Buzzards' backs.
Keating added his second shortly before the half time whistle and Whitehouse's fifth conversion of the eight first half try's brought the score to 50-0.
Despite Bugbrookes best efforts, they had been simply blown away by the pace, tempo and skill levels of the whole Buzzard team. Buzzards challenge would be to maintain their dominance in the second half, as they introduced a number of players into the fray, the challenge was further extended, as Lingard left the pitch with a worrying rib injury and Whitehouse was taken to Hospital with a suspected broken ankle.
The second half was a carbon copy of the first, with Buzzards dominating possession and despite the best efforts of a very hard working and resilient Bugbrooke side; they were just not in the same class as their soaring opponents.
Scrum half Esdon was Bugbrooke's chief tormentor, as he scored a second half hat trick, his decision making and options were of the highest calibre (as might be expected of a player just notified of his selection for the East Midlands U17s v Oxon this Wednesday).
Adams added his second of the day, as the Buzzards simply ran amok.
Fullback Hood, returning after a serious ankle injury, became the fifth player of the day to score two tries, as he seamlessly entered the contest. Second row Blake was the final try scorer of the day, when he went on a mesmerising run from his own half and finished off under the posts.
This after moments earlier, he had been denied a similar score, when after running 50 metres, he was brilliantly tap tackled by the final Bugbrooke defender. Buzzards were hampered by the very unfortunate loss of kicker Whitehouse and failed to convert a number of relatively simple conversions. Captain for the day Morgan, finally slotted two conversions, as Buzzards scored seven second half tries and fifteen in all, in a simply thrilling display.
An exceptional performance, and arguably one of the very best, by this talented squad. Bugbrooke can feel a little hard done by, as they were a competent side, who just met the Buzzards from their perspective, on totally the wrong day.
Next week sees the Colts venture into unknown territory where they have been drawn at home against Moseley Academy, who play professionally in rugby's second tier Championship, just below the Guinness Premiership, in the National Colts Cup quarterfinal. Pre-match luncheon is available for supporters; please contact the club steward directly for details. Kick off 3pm.
Congratulations to Sam Janes, Tom Overton, Conrad Braithwaite and George Messum who all played for the 1St XV in their excellent league win against Newark.
Training Tuesdays and Thursdays, 7pm to 8.45. New players of all abilities are very welcome.
www.buzzardrugby.co.uk
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Weather for Leighton Buzzard
Thursday 09 February 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: -0 C to 2 C
Wind Speed: 6 mph
Wind direction: South west
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: -4 C to 2 C
Wind Speed: 14 mph
Wind direction: South east
