Buzzards U11s meet Lawrence Dallaglio
U10s do well at Aylesbury. Colts lose final by two points
Leighton Buzzard minis went to the Aylesbury Festival this weekend for the final games of the season.
Buzzards U11s were lucky enough to have their photo taken with England and Wasps rugby ace Lawrence Dallaglio.
If you would like to play rugby next season, there is an open day on June 27, 10am, at Wrights Meadow. Go along and give it a try! - There are spaces in every age group. For more information visit www.buzzardrugby.co.uk
Leighton Buzzard U10s
The final 'official' weekend of Mini rugby saw Leighton Buzzard take a squad to the day long festival at Aylesbury. With fixtures against local teams including Buckingham and Aylesbury, others came from as far a field as Huddersfield!
Whilst the other teams were fielding 'A' and 'B' teams, with a small squad Buzzards were placed in the A league. With the spirit of the squad being to include all with the right attitude, regardless of ability, it meant there were matches involving some hard graft for the team.
When a stronger 'A team' did take the pitch, the result indeed emphasised the strength of the side with a 1 try to nil win over the hosts. And despite a heavy injury to in-form Dan, the team followed this up using a more mixed team against the long distance travellers from Huddersfield with a well earned draw, battling back after going 1-0 down at the start.
And at no point were the team left embarrassed by their performances or the effort shown in a long day of rugby. Whilst all the players worked hard over a day involving six fixtures, special mentions for their outstanding commitment go out to Felix and Ollie for their big contributions, and their relentless tackling and commitment.
Leighton Buzzard U11s
With no subs and players playing in different positions, 12 Buzzard U11s took on A teams from Aylesbury, Buckingham, Huddersfield, Windsor, Beaconsfield and Amersham and Chiltern. First match Buzzard started off strongly and it was a close game against the host team. Both teams played good fair rugby and it was a terrific game for the spectators despite no ties being scored. Full credit to both teams for a great match. The next match against a very strong Windsor team, Buzzards seemed to switch off and the match finished 28-0. Buzzards now down to 11 players for the remainder of the festival, raised their game against a full strength Huddersfield team and were unlucky to loose 14-0.
Buckingham who normally have it easy had to work hard against the battling 11 Buzzard to win 21-0. Amersham and Chiltern were next to find the Buzzard 11 were no pushovers and again had to work hard for their 21-0 win. Beaconsfield then played the tired Buzzard team in the final match. Buzzards battled and gave everything and it was unfortunate that Beaconsfield capitalised on the extra player and scored, but they only managed it once and won 7-0.
Buzzards brave and plucky performance was commended by ex England star Lawrence Dallaglio who met the team personally and gave them praise for their efforts and courage.
The team was Ryan Eaton, Chris Tydings, Amber Walsh, Owen Crossan, Joe Conlon, Kitty Woolger, Adrian Gallie, Greg Tubby, Jake Nossiter, Kieran Hawkes, Andrew Harris-Smith and Tony Carmichael. Buzzard of the day was shared between Eaton, Tydings, Walsh, Conlon and Harris-Smith for a never say die attitude and full commitment at all times. Get well soon to Joseph Perry who along with Noah Heath and Harry Gaskin was missed.
Buzzard Colts 29
Bedford Athletic Colts 31
East Midlands Colts League Final
With the end of the season rapidly approaching, Buzzards were looking for their first silverware, as they faced a tough away draw in the final against an equally talented Bedford Athletic squad that had also progressed to the last eight of the National Colts competition.
Buzzards were not quite at full strength, but the sheer depth of the squad, saw a whole raft of very able players not make the starting line up.
Buzzards received the kick off and went straight on the offensive, as a combination of strong running and Ath's early nerves, saw a couple of straightforward tackles missed as Buzzards threatened to break the deadlock. Ath infringed in front of the posts, Buzzards elected to kick, but bizarrely failed to use the kicking tee and the drop goal attempt was sliced and the simplest of kicks missed for what was to be a crucial missed opportunity.
The early exchanges were savage, as players from both sides were highly committed, but Buzzards pinned Ath deep in their own half. Ath launched a deep kick to the corner, to relieve the pressure and were the recipients of a favourable bounce, always likely on the rock hard surface, as the ball bounced very awkwardly and the hard running support had the ball literally drop into his hands at full pace.
An excellent tackle, saw an equally good off load and Ath were under the posts for a converted try on their first visit to the Buzzard half, 0-7.
Undaunted, Buzzards went back to work but Ath's defence was rock solid. The breakdowns were strongly contested throughout. Ath were penalised for a clear punch off the ball, the perpetrator was very fortunate indeed not to receive the mandatory yellow card, as Buzzards this time slotted the penalty 3-7.
Buzzards were still looking the more likely side, but were guilty of simply trying too hard on numerous occasions, as the ball was forced, or poor decisions were made, as the pressure showed. Morgan made a telling break and his centre partner Braithwaite finished off a fine move under the posts as Buzzards took a deserved lead, 10-7.
The game ebbed and flowed as both sides fought for supremacy. Ath's kicking game was strong, as was the defensive chase, denying Buzzards the opportunity to counter attack. Buzzards were well aware of Ath's strong place kicking and were disappointed to give away a soft penalty levelling the score. 10-10.
Buzzards upped the tempo and Ath were stretched, they then transgressed on the try line, close to the corner. Esdon tapped and found Messum in close support, at full tilt, as he powered over literally on the corner flag. Kempster stepped forward for his first kick of the day and made the extremely difficult conversion look very easy for Buzzards to have the half time lead 17-10.
Buzzards regrouped at half time and knew that they needed to maintain their momentum as the next score was likely to be crucial. However, it was Ath who hit the ground running and caught Buzzards flat footed, simple tackles were missed and Buzzards went into self destruction mode for ten minutes.
Ath were awarded a couple of penalties and elected to attack with ball in hand, little more than straight running saw the defence breached as Ath gave Buzzards a lesson in finishing close to the line. 21 points from three converted tries were racked up in short shrift.
With the score at 31-17 and 20 minutes remaining Buzzards had time to restore the balance.
Ath, having hit Buzzards with all they had, were struggling in the set scrummages and were littering the pitch as they threw themselves whole heatedly into their defensive responsibilities.
Both sides attacked and counter attacked. Play was scrappy and Ath were happy to kick and keep Buzzards 75 meters away from their line.
Buzzards were rapidly running out of time, when Hamper in support of a returned kick, flashed over in the corner for a timely score.
Unfortunately he was injured by a questionable tackle in the process and had to leave the field, Evans matched the previous touchline conversion, and it was game on - 24-31. Buzzards were well aware that the draw would see them victorious under the competition rules and tried to stage a miraculous comeback.
Ath were just about all in as their hard defence work and Buzzards' forward pressure began to tell.
With time running out Buzzards went into all out attack mode, Ath kicked and kicked again, Buzzards countered and Messum crossed the line wide out, his exceptional pace brought him close to the posts, for a truly tremendous try and a 29-31 score line.
Ath were crest fallen as they stood behind their line waiting for the inevitable, knowing the conversion would see the championship go to the Buzzards.
The pressure, however, told and the simple kick was missed and Ath were in ecstasy as the final whistle saw them victorious 29-31. A hard way to lose for Buzzards, but their inability to make two simple kicks at the start and the end of the game proved crucial.
Congratulations to Beds Ath on their hard fought victory. Buzzards face Ampthill on Tuesday night in the Beds Cup semi final, 6.30pm kick off. Tantalisingly for the Buzzards, Beds Ath await the victors away in the final!
Training Tuesdays and Thursdays 7pm to 8.30pm. New players of all abilities are very 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
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 20 mph
Wind direction: East
