Buzzards U16s win local derby
Buzzards U9s whitewash opposition
LEIGHTON BUZZARD U9
It was another whitewash for the Leighton Buzzard U9 squad.
The victim this week was Datchworth rugby club. Three games were played and three games were won by the Leighton Buzzard under 9 team. With five points being awarded for every try, the first game was won 10-5, the second was won 20-0 and third was taken 30-0. This week, as last, the whole team performed outstandingly. There was some great play from Cameron Burchell with an unbelievable diving, try-saving tackle.
Harry Charter and Max Bradfield had some powering runs, with both crossing the line, and they were difficult to bring down. Callum Campbell chipped in with three tries and some hard tackling.
Oliver Gronert and Conor Briggs were brilliant around the ruck. James Oliver, Sam Garland and Sam Bramston gave typically sublime performances with the rest of the team supporting brilliantly. Ruby Fiske had a great rugby day, taking the player of the day award. Now onto Banbury.
LEIGHTON BUZZARD U10
It was cold and muddy, but the rain held off for the Buzzards as they travelled to Stockwood Park for the first fixture between the two sides.
As seems to have become something of a trend, Buzzards started slowly and allowed their hosts to get an early try. With a new look front row led by Captain Beer, Buzzards found their feet quickly in the scrum and more than held their own. With man of the match Willcocks in at scrum half, quick ball and sniping runs became the order of the second half.
With Walsh back from holiday, running in two well taken tries on the wing,Willcocks added a third to to ensure a 15-5 win.
In the second fixture against Datchworth, Buzzards again took the first half to get going, allowing the opposition to go in 15-0 up at half-time.
With Dominguez in at scrum half, some quick balls out gave Buzzards renewed impetus and Higgs ran the length of the pitch to put his side back in the game with his first for the club. As time ticked away Beer added a second and the team continued to pressure the Datchworth line.
But for some stirling defence, Buzzards could've equalised, but with both fixtures requiring the team to battle back from a three-try deficit, it showed the mettle of this young and developing squad.
Leighton Buzzard U13 24
Stockwood Park 12
Buzzard U13s hosted Stockwood Park for their first home fixture of the season. Stockwood Park elected to play downhill and made use of the slope and wind with an effective chip and chase game.
The ball was soon in Buzzards' 22 and a hoisted kick towards the right wing landed just behind Buzzards' backs. A quick follow up saw Stockwood outpace Buzzards to get the first try of the game. The home side toiled back up hill, led by Captain Henry Peck with his usual front row of hooker Owen Garland and props Steve Cox and Ben Fisher.
However, a damp pitch left the ball greasy and Stockwood took the sensible option of fly-hacking down field. A well-controlled sequence of kicks saw the ball cross Buzzards' line close to the posts, after which Stockwood Park were able to touch down to claim their second try and conversion.
Play then settled down as Buzzards started to find their feet and retain some possession. Buzzards scrum with Simran Singh at second row and a back row of Reece Harris-Smith, Joshua Stocker and Phillip Price slightly had the edge in the set pieces and nudged Stockwood off their own ball on occasion. Scrum-half Peter Herring had his usual excellent game while fly-half Jordan Clay used his pace to advantage looking for gaps in the opposition midfield. Both sets of back tried to move the ball and some good play-making by the Stockwood Park fly-half required desperate last-ditch defence by Buzzards to keep them out. Buzzards wings of William Batchelor and Timothy Moodey were kept busy chasing high kicks while Ben Beaumont and Reece Brown in mid-field were needed to tackle a effective Stockwood Park centre pairing.
Late in the first half Buzzards were able to set up a maul close to the opposition try-line. Captain Henry Peck took the ball and drove through for Buzzards' first try of the game. A far from easy conversion was well taken by Benjamin Johnson.
The second half saw Patrick Fraser come on at prop to maintain Buzzards scrum advantage. Moving the ball to the left wing Buzzards found mobile forward Reece Harris-Smith who drove over for a well-made try to make it 12 points a piece.
Stockwood Park weren't giving up and stretched Buzzards across the pitch but with everyone working flat out many moves broke down. The game was evenly balanced as Buzzards moved the ball to the right wing for an excellent run by Reece Brogan to give them their second try of the half.
Buzzards then broke Stockwood Park's hearts as they caught the restart, moved the ball through three pairs of hands to Steve Cox who took the ball from his own half to score under the posts. Conversion was by Ben Johnson.
A revised midfield of Ryan Tift, Jake Atkinson and Tom King were kept busy as Stockwood Park threw everything into the last 10 minutes of the game and they were unfortunate to lose one of their props, injured late in the game.
Buzzards took the game 24-12 and knew they had been in a real contest against well-organised opposition.
Leighton Buzzard U16 24
Dunstable 5
In past seasons, this local derby has always been a closely fought, low scoring game, but this time Buzzards had the upper hand and dominated proceedings for a well earned victory.
The boys have been training hard and it's beginning to pay off.
An early try from winger Mikey Brace, converted by Will Smith,gave Buzzards a quick start but the Dunstable responsewas rapid, scoring an unconverted try.
Buzzards forwards then took control with captain Callum Hunt, Tony Wong and Ryan Bailey all looking dangerous with ball in hand and Jonny Moriarty and Keiran Bolton winning good lineout ball.
What limited possession Dunstable won they seemed content to kick away, with Buzzards dominating territory as well as the lion's share of the ball, Dunstable were clearly rattled.
Buzzards had pace out wide and on one occasion Jack Blumsom ran nearly 70 metres before being tackled just short of the line.
Tries then followed from Arran Perry (converted by Will Smith)and Charlie Holmes gave Buzzards a comfortable half time lead.
In the second half, Buzzards made a number of changes to the pack with Ashley Walsh anchoring the scrum and Christopher Parker providing added strength and drive. With flankers Joe Beaumont and Matthew Amey winning loose ball, ably assisted by Jack Green and James Batchelor, it came as no surprise when Holmes took advantage of a huge gap in the Dunstable defence to run through and score. Buzzards replaced hard-working scrum half Neil Kilby with Alistair Hills and U15s flanker Ollie Guyon made a rare appearance on the wing.They continued to attack Dunstable's scrambled defence, with Matthew Johnson distributing well, contributing to the well-deserved victory.
Leighton Buzzard Colts 91
Rushden Colts 3
Buzzards returned to league action at Wright Meadow, following last week's excellent third round National Colts Cup performance against Peterborough. Buzzards took the opportunity to make sure those squad players not utilised the week before were given much deserved game time. A number of new combinations were also tried, in order to test reserve strength for all eventualities.
Rushden fielded a typically robust, physically mature side, and set about the young Buzzards from the off. Buzzards remained calm and in accustomed manner, felled wave after wave of direct runners. Any hope Rushden might have had of bullying their way over the gain line soon evaporated, as they were stopped in their tracks, time and again.
The Buzzard pack again showed that superior technique, not sheer bulk, is the key to scrummaging, as they totally dominated their much large opponents throughout. With the pattern of the game quickly established and with dominance of possession, Buzzards' challenge was to be clinical and efficient throughout.
Six first half tries and two conversions saw the Buzzards turn around with a 34-3 advantage, Rushden somewhat fortunately being awarded a wind-assisted penalty at a breakdown 35m out, in front of the posts.
Pratt playing at fly half opened the Buzzard scoring in the corner, after a fine interchange with Braithwaite and Keating. Earl soon followed suite, with a try under the posts, which he converted. Second row Blake was the next to score, following some quick ball, excellent handling and support, conversion Earl.
The Buzzard backs now visibly kicked up a gear, as the opposition were clearly struggling to keep up with the high tempo Buzzards aspired to play at. Pratt was soon at it again, as he streaked away from the Rushden cover defence to score wide out on the left. Debutant second row Zack Hayes was the next to score, as he appeared in close support of the now rampant Buzzard backs.
The half time whistle brought Rushden very brief respite, as Buzzards, now playing down the slope, made further changes to the line-up. It's fair to say that the changes were totally seamless, as the whole match squad very ably demonstrated that they all unquestionably have the skill and ability to command starting roles.
Young Haynes was clearly enjoying himself, scored his second, just before being substituted, capping an outstanding debt performance. Esdon replaced Hood at scrum half and almost immediately dummied and jinked his way to the line, for an excellent sole try, conversion by Whitehouse.
Buzzards were then awarded a converted penalty try, when Evans was deliberately impeded as he raced to touch down a delicate chip to the line. Flanker Byard was involved in everything all afternoon and was rewarded with a try, following good handling and support play, yet again!
Rushden to their credit, although well beaten, tried every thing they could, to stop the onslaught, when many other sides might have given up. Unfortunately for Rushden, Buzzards hard work at training and focus was fully evident, as they attacked relentlessly until the final whistle. Hood, now back at Full Back, Evans and Adams (twice) crossed the whitewash. Pratt scored his third and the referee took pity on Rushden and blew up a few minutes early. Fifteen tries with eight conversions in difficult conditions, against hard working opponents is to be commended.
An excellent all round performance and good preparation for next weeks difficult home friendly against Northampton Old Scouts, famous as the club who produced current England stars Courtney Lawes and Steve Thompson along with his fellow World Cup winner Ben Cohen.
>> Well done this weekend to the following Colts squad members:
Mark Lingard and Sam Janes who played in the 1St XV's league game against Old Northamptonians.
The following Buzzards: Guy Hunt, Tom Cormie, Ben Latimer, George Messum, Huw Morgan and Tom Hamper who all played in Aylesbury Grammar's great victory over top state rugby school Royal Grammar School, High Wycombe.
Next match, Saturday, December 5, Home v Northampton Old Scouts, KO 2.15pm.
Meet 1pm, supporters welcome. Training Tuesdays and Thursdays 7pm to 8.45. New players of all abilities are very welcome.
Visit: www.buzzardrugby.co.uk
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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
