Buzzard U9s win silverware
"Heartbreak" as Colts lose to Moseley in the National Cup
Leighton Buzzard U11s
Buzzard U11s played in the Beds festival and came up against some very physical teams who played more like WWE than RFU!
Buzzards played Biggleswade, Ampthill and Luton and despite the hard work of most of the team, it was the gaps and missed tackles which led to the defeats in these matches.
Highlights included the return of Joseph "the Judge" Perry, a great run from Jake Nossitor who was stopped as he headed for a try, top tackling from captain Ryan Eaton and Andrew Harris Smith, brave and never say die rugby play from Owen Crossan, intelligent and accurate kicking form Chris Tydings, good lineout out work from Noah Heath and Harry Gaskin.
Greg Tubby was strong in the scrums, Tony Carmichael and Ellis Ritchie worked hard in the second row and in the backs Kitty Woolger supported well, scrum half Amber Walsh showed some of her magic with some good passes, Kieran Hawkes was unlucky not to have scored, even though the touch judge had given it, and Joe Conlon controlled things at the back.
Buzzards saved their best for the last match against the strongest team, Bedford.
Sadly Crossan was injured but he led the team on and encouraged play from the sidelines. Harris-Smith, Conlon, Eaton and Tydings linked up well, supported by under pressure passing from the base of the scrum from Walsh.
Perry continued to work hard and it seemed as if he had never been away, Hawkes again made plenty of yardage with his running and Heath and Gaskin worked well in the lineouts.
Despite the hard efforts, Bedford managed to score two. Gallant effort by all. Buzzard of the Day went to Crossan for great play on and off the pitch.
Leighton Buzzard U12s
Buzzard U12s travelled to Biggleswade this week to compete in the Beds Cup, having reached the final in last week's tournament the boys spirits were high. The first game pitted the Buzzards against Stockwood Park. The Buzzards started strongly and created several overlaps but a bit of white line fever cost the boys several tries.
Buzzard forwards dominated the game and scores from Adam Stacey, Luke Walsh, Daniel White and Matt Stacey gave us a comfortable 20-0 win. Special mention for Jake Little who had a superb game on the wing. The second game was against old rivals, Dunstable. Both teams get along well and the boys have shown good support for each other during other games. However, all friendships were put aside for the game and a fierce battle ensued.
Dunstable took the game to the Buzzards from the off, but dogged defending kept the scores level at half time. Buzzards were disappointed by their efforts in the first half and knew that they would have to up their game to get the much needed result.
Free flowing rugby - it wasn't, but the boys managed to grind out a result, winning 10-0 with tries from Adam Stacey and Luke Walsh. Biggest disappointment of the game was losing Tom Lee to injury.
With Buzzards safely through to the semi final they had time to relax and await the outcome of group B to see who they would face. Typically, the boys were drawn against the all conquering Ampthill side that had comprehensively beaten them in last weeks final 35-0.
The game started at a ferocious pace and some poor tackling by Buzzards allowed Ampthill to grab an early lead. This spurned Buzzards on, the pack of Archie, Matt, Luke, Matt P, Kieran and James matching their opposition in every aspect of the game. The back line of Ewan, Daniel, Danny, Adam, Ben, George and Robbie using the rush defence and frustrating the opposition into mistakes. Just before half time, an offside, knock on and forward pass all missed by the ref granted Ampthill an undeserved second try.
The boys were really up for the game and Ampthill were rattled, a serious injury to James after the break saw a reshuffle and James V, Josh and Jake returned to the action. The final five saw some superb play by the Buzzards who were unlucky not to have rescued the game. Well done boys another great day, that first cup win is not far away.
Leighton Buzzard U14 63
Mens Own 5
Buzzards returned to match rugby on Sunday after a month without a competitive game at home to Northampton side Mens Own. The last encounter was a very one sided affair with Buzzards running away with it, but the team was not being complacent after a couple of injuries had forced some changes in the starting line up.
Buzzards started well and it was not long before winger Beach ran in the first score of the day. The game then belonged to the backs as Stacey on the other wing ran in the second. This was repeated twice more as Beach and Stacey continued to have success out wide taking the score to 31 to 5 at half time. Beach ran in from deep at the start of the second half to take his match tally to 20 points.
Robson then ran in a try, which when combined with his successful conversion kicks gave him a match total of 13 points. The forwards then got in on the act as Pittkin, Stanbridge and Peck all scored from close range after some great scrummaging. Stacey got his third and final try, running it in from a great series of passes down the line started by Tift. The "back room" boys of Messum, Thomas, Atkinson, Gates, Conlon, Nicholls, Green and Davies tackled everything that moved and cleared out well to give the backs their day. Full back "Crazy Legs" Foulger also returned some long kicks with scything runs through the middle to keep Mens Own on the back foot. Great team effort well done boys. MOM - Michael Conlon.
Leighton Buzzard U15 51
Ruislip B 0
Buzzards travelled away to Ruislip on Sunday and, in contrast to recent outings, served up a one sided offering. Front row Ben Stephens, Woody Woodman and Ty Green secured solid first phase ball, the second row pairing of Will Peck and Harry Wear ensured the forwards drive had impetus and they joined the back row in competing for every ball & ensuring the Buzzards backs had plenty of possession. The possession was soon turned into points with quick hands feeding Alfie G-Potter and Raef Braithwaite for a try apiece. Another backs move saw Harry Matterson make a break for the line but he was just stopped short.
It did not take long for another position to be worked and for Josh Price to put Will Guyon away for Buzzards' third try.
James Batchelor led the forwards from the front with a fierce drive upfield and an offload to Ollie Guyon, Ollie G took the ball at speed and broke the full back's tackle to join his brother on the scoresheet.
Centres Alfie G-Potter and mastermind Braithwaite got themselves another try each, the latter with the kind of jinking run and lightning acceleration that have long been his trademark. A couple of conversions from Alistair Hills saw Buzzards turn round at half time with a comfortable lead.
Ruislip began the second half well, testing the Buzzards' defence, Fearless Esdon lived up to his monicker with some stubborn tackling, joined by many of his team mates as Buzzards soaked up the pressure and once again exerted their dominance. Hugh Waller and Poppet Ellis joined together for a new centre pairing, creating a number of opportunities one of which led to a superbly taken try for the determined Waller.
Buzzards were now rampant and crisp handling saw the hyphenated one put away for his hat trick and one of the best moves of the game saw Poppet Ellis create space for Nat Price and a wonderfully timed poppet pass put full back Price away for the final try converted by Harry Matterson. Training Wednesdays at 7pm, all players welcome.
Luton U16 27
Leighton Buzzard U16 5
Having secured a convincing win over Luton in the home fixture, the U16s travelled with some confidence but on this occasion they could not overcome the home team's advantage.
Leighton struggled to get to grips with the referee's interpretation of the tackle area and were penalised twenty times to Luton's five in the first half.
On that basis alone it was surprising that they reached half time only five points adrift.
Some robust tackling from Keiran Bolton, Jacob Evans, Seb Calloway and Matthew Johnson halted Luton attempts to run the succession of penalties and Neil Kilby, Jamie Cormie and Charlie Holmes made inroads but Buzzards were unable to retain possession and get any momentum as the penalty count mounted.
In the scrum, Buzzards had the edge as the front row of Callum Hunt, Jack Green and Ryan Bailey supported by Christopher Parker and replacement Liam Herring, put the Luton pack under pressure. Jonny Moriarty won good lineout ball, though on the one occasion that Buzzards got within scoring distance their lineout was penalised.
After a period of pressure Buzzards were finally rewarded with a try from Ryan Bailey.
As the second half progressed Buzzards tried to play catch-up but were caught out on the counter attack on a couple of occasions.
Will Smith broke strongly out of defence and Jack Blumsom and Mikey Brace made territory before Ashley Walsh was bundled into touch just short of the Luton line.
Leighton Buzzard Colts 18
Moseley Colts 20
National Colts Cup Quarter Final
Buzzards Colts, having arrived at the last eight of this national competition for the first time in the club's history, were relishing the opportunity of challenging a Moseley Academy side whose professional first XV play in the Championship, only one rung down from the top level Guinness Premiership.
Buzzards had worked hard in preparation for this huge game and with the benefit of a large and talented squad, were not phased by unfortunate injuries to centre Jack Whitehouse and Flanker Tom Byard.
Moseley won the toss and elected to play up the slope, with the advantage of the wind in the first half, Buzzards kicked off to a huge roar from the large Wrights Meadow home crowd.
The initial exchanges were as might be expected frenetic, with both sides fully committed to the cause.
Buzzards squad (based on their U17 and U18 age groups) were as ever, dwarfed by their older and more mature U19 opponents, however, Moseley were clearly in for a "hard day at the office", as the superior technique of the Buzzard pack saw them disrupt the opposition scrummage and pressurise the Moseley line out.
Buzzards moved the ball effectively and Pratt was away on the half way line, looking odds on to score, the Moseley full back just caught him and shoulder barged him into touch. A poor Moseley throw at the line out that followed saw Buzzards elect to scummage from five meters out. A great scrum, with tight head Guy Hunt to the fore, saw a well rehearsed set play from the base of the scrum, as George Messum drew the defence and linked with Tom Pratt, who flashed over in the corner for the opening score. The difficult conversion from the touch line was narrowly missed.
Moseley looked shocked, but were straight back into action as they drove at Buzzards testing the defence.
Any thoughts that they might find a chink in the Buzzards' armour were quickly dispelled as Buzzards stopped them in their tracks. Moseley were then the recipients of a simply "gob smacking" decision, when Buzzards were penalised for little more than effectively tackling an opponent to ground in open play! The shocked reaction and disapproval of the large crowd was clear, as Moseley gratefully accepted the unwarranted points, for 5-3 after 12 minutes.
Buzzards stole another line out, just inside the Moseley half and attacked with ball in hand. Huw Morgan made a scything break and quick ball from scrum half Chris Wood, saw Conrad Braithwaite with an overlap outside him. An excellent dummy and change of line saw him cut inside the scrambling defence for a well taken unconverted try for 10-3.
Injured Tom Pratt was ably replaced by fellow winger David Keating.
Moseley pressurised Buzzards, and with arguably their best field position of the day, won a line out 30 meters out. Quality ball, off the top of the line out at four, saw the Moseley backs with room to move for almost the first time. A number of dummy runners fixed the Buzzards defence and Moseley were driving into the Buzzards 22. Quick ball in midfield saw the ball popped to the huge Moseley Flanker, who crashed over the line directly under the posts despite the valiant defenders' attempts. The simple conversion made it 10-10.
Just before half time Moseley were awarded a dubious penalty and made it a flattering 13-10.
Undaunted, Buzzard started the second half with real confidence. Moseley's desperation became apparent as they continually tested both the off side line and the laws to slow down Buzzards. Despite a number of Buzzard protestations, Moseley remained unpunished until finally a player was yellow carded for persistent offences. Wood slotted the subsequent penalty to tie the scores at 13 all. Buzzards set about taking advantage of their numerical superiority, but excellent Moseley defence saw Buzzards frustrated.
Moseley deservedly broke the deadlock shortly after equal numbers were restored when they again went through a well rehearsed set of moves off a lineout 25 meters from the Buzzards' line to score a "heart breaking" converted try for a 20-13 advantage.
With just over 20 minutes remaining, Buzzards knew they were in with more than a chance as the larger Moseley boys were looking as if the pace and tempo of the Buzzard game was finally getting to them. At times, the pitch resembled a First World War battle field as they lay strewn in the wake of the Buzzards. Unfortunately, they were often allowed "treatment" and time to recover, when their problems were little more than cardiovascular.
As the game entered the final quarter, the pattern of play was all too familiar, with Buzzards endeavouring to attack from all areas of the pitch. Moseley worked extremely hard in defence and tried to kill, or slow down possession, at all costs.
Buzzards were awarded a penalty 10 meters out and elected to scrummage, knowing a converted try and a 20-20 score line would give them victory on try count (3-2).
A solid scrum, quick ball and excellent handling, saw winger Tom Hamper over on the left, but tantalisingly, he was prevented from heading infield under the posts. The conversion attempt shaved the upright for 18-20 and Buzzards had five minutes to score again.
The final five minutes was all Buzzards as they threw the bench on to re-energise proceedings. Moseley were "shot" and were reduced to infringing to try and hold on. Knowing Buzzards had to run from deep, they swarmed over the offside line time and again.
With two minutes remaining, Charlie Esdon on at scrum half, took a tap penalty and was totally flatted in the process by the Moseley winger, some 11 yards offside. He amazingly remained on the pitch despite this most cynical and obvious of offences. The subsequent lecture he received then allowed the defence to reline.
Still undaunted, Buzzards hit the gas and attacked for all their worth, centre Huw Morgan made a final telling break and nearly had his head removed in the process - the miscreant remained unpunished and Buzzards' final surge was repelled as the final whistle saw Moseley progress to the semi-finals 18-20.
There can be little doubt that Buzzards had played by far the better rugby, but had failed to convert their chances. Moseley were extremely magnanimous in victory, recognising they had been outplayed for long periods and had played more than their fair share of "get out of jail free cards" but are to be congratulated on their hard fought victory.
Congratulations are due to the whole Buzzard squad who to a man have worked so hard to reach this stage of the competition and despite the narrow reverse, emerged from the day with immense credit.
Next week's Buzzard continue their quest for cup glory with their final East Midlands Colts Cup pool round encounter with Peterborough, 3pm, in a "winner take all" match with a quarter final slot awaiting the victors.
Training Tuesdays and Thursdays 7pm to 8.45pm. www.buzzardrugby.co.uk
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Weather for Leighton Buzzard
Wednesday 08 February 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: -3 C to 1 C
Wind Speed: 14 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: -1 C to 2 C
Wind Speed: 6 mph
Wind direction: South
