Buzzards Magnificent Seven make a Midlands Mark
U17s play for East Midlands
East Midlands U17 29
Leicestershire U17 26
Wednesday evening saw seven members of the Leighton Buzzard U17s squad make their East Midlands U17 debuts against Leicestershire at Market Harborough.
The hard-fought 29-26 victory saw a huge contrast in styles, Leicestershire playing a bludgeoning, forward orientated game, using their gargantuan pack to best effect.
East Mids in sharp contrast elected to run the ball at each and every opportunity, in a high risk, high reward manner.
East Mids ran out deserved winners having played arguably all the rugby, scoring five well worked tries in the process. Leicestershire scored four themselves, but the reality was three were scored as a direct consequence of handling errors and mistakes close to their opponents line.
Leicestershire having already achieved a comfortable victory over Warwickshire, looked the better organised in the initial exchanges, East Midlands early lack of cohesion and match practise was clear to see.
East Midlands turned round losing 14-10, but fought back to take the lead for the first time with only five minutes remaining. A poor floated pass saw an interception for Leicestershire to retake the lead 26-22, with only two minutes remaining.
East won the match with a simply breathtaking converted try, scored after multiple phases of play, where the handling, support play and decision making were of the highest order, exemplifying the positive attitude and growing confidence level of the squad, as the game proceeded.
Buzzards U17s coach Rod Keating said: "The Magnificent Seven hustled into a quiet market town and helped win the day!
"The Magnificent Seven are Guy Hunt, Calum Holmes, Mark Lingard, Tom Pratt, Conrad Braithwaite, Charles Blake and Sam Janes.
"Team mates George Adams and Scott Pollitt-Evans hope to star in the 'return' in two weeks time v Staffordshire."
Leighton Buzzard U10
Buzzard's U10s, pictured right, made the trip to Banbury RFC hoping for a win a last. In their first match Buzzards were losing at half-time, but showed great character by keeping the home team in their own half after the break, though despite their territorial advantage Buzzards couldn't get the points.
They were led by captain JJ who was an inspiration on and off the pitch, Noah Heath and Greg Tubby rucked well and secured the ball, Chris Tydings and Ryan Eaton as always gave everything they had, Chloe Partridge and Oliver Sirett linked up well in the centre and played some good rugby and wingers Jordan McConnell and Owen Crossan defended very well to keep the ball in the oppositions half.
In the second match, despite some great hooking from Harry Gaskin, good driving from Kitty Woolger, fantastic tackling from Andrew Harris Smith, great running from Jack Wears and Tony Carmichael, wonderful team play from Lucy Kelly and Adrian Gallie and good wing support from Isobelle Pickering and Lucy Gilroy, Buzzards lost the match but Wears managed to get one try.
In their third match Buzzards battled well, but again not taking their chances and some sleepy defending allowed Banbury to win the match.
Partridge played well at scrum half, Tydings again made numerous tackles and runs, JJ and Eaton although battered continued to battle, Heath and Tubby worked hard, Sirett battled superbly in the middle and Crossan and McConnell tackled well on the wings.
The final match saw Buzzards against Banbury's trophy winning team.
Again it was a close match and it looked like another defeat was looming as Banbury took the lead.
However, Buzzard players have had enough of losing and lifted by JJ's support they fought back.
Wears scored his second try of the day. Kelly and Carmichael linked up well together in the forwards, Gaskin was again winning most scrums,
Woolger made some great tackles in the middle, Gilroy and Pickering battled well on the wing, Gallie battled well in the centre and Harris Smith was tackling everyone.
Eaton and Tubby came on and drove the scrum back and tackled well. Harris Smith and Carmichael both added to the score before Banbury pulled one back.
Solid team work from Buzzards ensured the team's first win of the season.
Buzzard of the day was Harris Smith for a superb all round performance.
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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
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 20 mph
Wind direction: East
