Leighton Buzzard U17s face their finest hour so far this weekend
Sunday sees Buzzards competing in the National U17 Midlands Plate final against Hereford, kicking off at 1.15pm at Broadstreet Rugby club, Coventry. Supporters very welcome – and look for the report and pictures in next Tuesday's Observer
LEIGHTON BUZZARD
Leighton Buzzard U15 32
Stockwood Park 10
After a disastrous start, when they mis-fielded the kick off and conceded a try from the resultant scrum, Buzzards recovered to score six tries of their own in a comprehensive 32-10 victory.
With Stockwood Park playing mainly through their pack, Buzzards opted for a more expansive game and were rewarded with a try from scrum half Neil Kilby. Further pressure resulted in panic in the away defence and Will Smith reacted quickly to score as the ball was loose behind the Stockwood Park line.
Buzzards ended the first half on top when Calloway and Evans combined to send Mikey Brace over for his first try for the club.
From the restart, Buzzards effectively sealed the victory when good play from Smith and Latimer found Charlie Holmes in space to score the fourth try.
Buzzards were now playing some attractive rugby and the introduction of a number of substitutes from the under 14 side gave them new options, James Batchelor and William Mcleod showing up well in the loose and Alistair Hills and Ed Wiggins contributing to a number of attacks.
A charged down kick brought Stockwood Park briefly back into the game before a fine break from Matthew Johnson brought the try of the match as he ran in from the half way line.
Stockwood Park were beginning to tire and Ben Latimer picked up a loose pass to score a try he then converted.
Leighton Buzzard U17 67
Bugbrooke U17 0
Buzzards returned to action with a home friendly against Bugbrooke Badgers, taking the opportunity to give a number of players much needed playing time before next weekend 'big' game v Hereford in the National Under 17's competition.
The starting line up saw 11 new starters and three positional changes to the starting 15 from the previous week, giving a clear indication of the strength in depth and the versatility of the current squad.
Captain Yirrell won the toss and with no wind and clear sunny conditions, elected to play up the slope the first half. Despite the number of changes, it was business as usual for the Buzzards, second row Norman opened the scoring on four minutes, after an excellent line out steal and drive to the line from 10 meters out.
Pratt, off the wing, playing at outside centre scored a quick fire double, when his searing pace saw him scorch into the right hand corner twice within as many minutes, both difficult conversions were both narrowly missed by Adams.
Adams, moved for this game to inside centre showed his great skill and pace, when he did a quick show and go, which left the Badgers trailing in his wake, as he went in from 50 meters, to score under the post, making his own conversion a formality.
The Badgers' scrum was working very hard but could not make a dent in the Buzzards pack. They also recycled the ball effectively, but were unable to penetrate the Buzzards defence.
As the half proceeded, it was a matter of how long the Badgers could hold out, as the Buzzards moved the ball effectively time after time. Scrum half Hills and new fly half Braithwaite formed an effective link, as the midfield backs ran rampage.
The Badgers tackled for all they were worth, but the shear pace and great support play of the Buzzard's was proving simply irresistible.
The half time score of 22-0 was a fair reflection of the first half's play, Badgers had worked very hard to keep the score down, but had been out under enormous pressure in possession themselves, as every attacking option was literally snuffed out by the Buzzard s defence.
Norman left the field at half time with a damaged shoulder, Prop Barker switched into the second row and Evans entered the fray at prop.
Pollitt-Evans and Earl, who had help out the opposition in the first half,due to injuries donned the Buzzard shirts for the second half, as Pratt and Braithwaite stepped aside.
Wood had a run out in the unfamiliar role of full back and 'Mr Versatility' Janes joined the fun at fly half. Hood and Meader switched to help the Badgers in the second half.
Any thoughts that the Badgers coaches had that the changes might help their cause were immediately dispelled, when the Buzzard literally tore into their opponents from the off.
Janes and Adams scored after quick ball and excellent passing and support, Evans converting the second. Buzzards attacked for ever part of the paddock, with a breathtaking display of fast attacking open rugby.
Bugbrooke worked incredibly hard in defence, but were left chasing shadows, as wave after wave of Buzzard attacks rained in on their line. Pollitt-Evans was on hand to score the next, as the Bugbrooke full back tackled a Buzzard back on the line, conversion Evans.
Wood then made his mark, as he ran amok, scoring two quality tries with amazing illusive running and pace, the second casually converted with a drop goal by the Buzzards own version of the Welsh No 8 Tom (Andy Powell) Byard, including the sparkling white boots.
New boy Kempster then showed real pace, when he scored on the right, drop kick conversion, Byard. Wood completed his hat trick shortly after, with Captain Yirrell stepping up to drop kick the conversion, just to make sure Byard did not steal all the lime light.
Bugbrooke were done, Keating having also switched to help them with a further injury problems. They had been simply run ragged by a Buzzard side in fantastic form and high in confidence. The final score did not reflect the hard work of the Bugbrooke team, but they were just overpowered by the pace and fitness levels of the Buzzards, particularly in the second half.
Wednesday evening sees seven of the current squad make their East Midlands Under 17 debts against Leicestershire at Market Harborough, KO 7:30. Congratulations to Guy Hunt, Calum Holmes, Mark Lingard, Tom Pratt, Conrad Braithwaite, Charles Blake and Sam Janes, with team mates George Adams and Scott Pollitt-Evans waiting in the wings for the next game.
Training takes place on Tuesdays and Thursdays 7pm to 8.30pm. New players of all abilities are very welcome.
Visit www.buzzardrugby.co.uk for more club information
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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
