U15s in fine performance over Stockwood Park
Buzzard Colts were humming
Leighton Buzzard U15 36
Stockwood Park 10
In the driving rain and wind Buzzards put together a fine performance to defeat local rivals Stockwood Park.
Buzzards began with a bang and aggressively drove at the opposition from the kick-off. The first of many knock-ons allowed the rock solid front row of Connor, Ty, Jamie and Woody to once again dominate their opposite numbers and provide an excellent platform of first phase ball which saw fullback Will slide around the outside of the defence to score in the corner.
Joe Beaumont converted with a fine touchline kick which Wilkinson would have been proud of. From the restart Buzzards were immediately on the attack again and found themselves back in the opposition 22.
A lineout was stolen against the throw by Beaumont, who linked with the ever magnificent Ollie, who in turn found 'safe hands' Sam Dove who trotted in for a first class try. The forwards were now rampant, spoiling all of Stockwood's ball and pushing them back towards their own try line.
Surging runs from the re-emerging Kieran, Harry W and Reece gave the backs space and opportunity to link and AJ scampered in for the first of a brace of fine tries.
Stockwood tried to react positively but were met with some ferocious defensive tackling from James Ellis and Nat Price in particular. Then came a moment of spectacular individual brilliance as prop forward Probart scampered, and sidestepped the opposition for a 35-metre try that his coaches can only dream about.
Stockwood, however, were not dead. They drove forward and were rewarded with a penalty close to the Buzzards' line which they took quickly and scored with alarming ease.
Buzzards faced the elements in the second half knowing the task was to be much more difficult but back row forwards Henry Esdon and James Batchelor made telling tackles to repel opposition drives.
Neil Kilby made a quick break and sent his outside half MOM Will Guyon away for a try nearly as good and as long as Probart's. Danny Latimer made a driving run at the opposition only to be stopped just short of the line. Josh Price secured the resulting ruck ball and passed to line of waiting backs with Raef Braithwaite linking superbly with AJ to score his second of the day. Stockwood showed real guts and spirit to score a late consolation try, but the day belonged to the Buzzards.
Leighton Buzzard Colts 35
Olney Colts 14
Buzzards returned to action this weekend with a tough friendly fixture, at home, to Olney, eager to redress the balance after last week's lacklustre league loss to Buckingham.
Buzzards, with a large number of U17s playing, looked to be in for a difficult afternoon, as Olney had a large number of U19 players in their squad, who were all noticeably more physically mature.
Buzzards kicked off down the slop and were a little slow into their stride. Olney adopted a route one approach from the start and ran directly at the heart of the Buzzards defence. Buzzards fell off a number of first-up tackles – Olney needed no further encouragement to continue their direct approach.
The game had started at breakneck speed, as both sides threw themselves wholeheartedly into the contest. Olney made good ground and recycled the ball effectively for the whole of the first 20 minutes, as they tried to literally batter their way to the line.
Buzzards defended well, but were not always able to make the first tackle count. Olney were rewarded with a well-taken converted try close to the posts, after several phases of driving play and good support.
Olney were quickly back on the attack, as they continued to offload and support in textbook style. Buzzards tackled, but Olney maintained continuity well and continued to pressure the Buzzard line. The Buzzard forwards were in excellent form and had their larger opponents in real trouble in the scrum, as their superior technique was clear to see.
Buzzards, however, stuttered in possession, as some new combinations initially struggled to bed in. As a consequence, Buzzards were playing close to their own line with small margins for error; however they continued to try to move the ball, as they sensed opportunities in the outside channels.
Olney continued to dominate territory and support the direct runners. Buzzards were then guilty of some poor tackling, when three players failed to stop Olney scoring their second converted try.
With the score at 0-14 and only 20 minutes gone, Buzzards remained committed to their game plan, as they attacked from deep with ball in hand. Several half breaks were made, as gaps began to appear in the Olney defence. Olney were still looking dangerous and pressurised Buzzards' line, full back Hood then held up an opponent over the try line.
As the half continued Buzzards looked to have weathered the initial Olney storm. Hooker Tom Cormie having replaced his injured brother Jack, then scored an excellent individual try, when he sprinted in from the half way line, having collected a loose ball. The conversion was by captain for the day, Whitehouse.
Buzzards' confidence was now clear to see, and they were on the attack again moments later. Both wingers were brought into play, but Olney continued to defend well. Buzzards moved the ball out of their own 22 and centre Braithwaite went on a trademark individual mazy run, to score under the posts from 60 metres out, the conversion by Whitehouse.
The half time whistle came with the score at 14-14 and both sides had all to play for, although the cracks had started to appear with Olney looking a little short of pace and fitness.
Buzzards made a number of seamless changes and the second half was all Buzzards. Olney's scrum was in real trouble as they were shunted backwards time and again. Buzzards tackling also noticeably stepped up a notch as Pollitt-Evans ruthlessly felled opponent after opponent.
Winger Keating made a half break and was well tackled by the Olney defence, Byard was on hand to pick up and exploited the space, by tip-toeing up the touchline to score, conversion by Whitehouse.
Olney were now only interested in keeping the ball tight, as they tried to drive at the Buzzards, looking for areas of weakness in the forward defence. They were literally stopped in their tracks. Attempts to move the ball were similarly frustrated, as Buzzards' fitness was clear to see. The game was somewhat spoiled as a spectacle, by the number of players from both sides allowed to fall off their feet at the breakdown.
Buzzards were now humming and the backs looked dangerous almost every time they got the ball, Kempster had some good runs and twice returned some deep aimless Olney kicks with a vengeance. Fly half Pratt, out of his customary winger position, was the next to score, as Buzzards turned up the gas, the conversion by Whitehouse.
Kempster collected another kick, deep in his own half and counter attacked from 70 metres. He shot up the narrow side past the floundering Olney defence and looked certain to score when he was well tackled by the final defender. Whitehouse (among others) was in close support to score and convert his own try, to end the day with a 100 per cent record of five conversions out of five.
Buzzards had taken time to get into gear and in future need to be more robust with their first-up tackles from the off. Olney were strong opponents, with an excellent off load game, but lacked a little in imagination. Buzzards were worthy winners on the day 35-14.
>> Well done this weekend to the following Colts squad members:
Huw Morgan, who played (without too much hopping on his injured ankle, we hope) in Bucks' win over Berkshire at Wellington College in the U18 SW Division.
Sam Janes, Mark Lingard and Guy Hunt, who all played in East Midlands 18-32 loss to Staffordshire in the U18 Midlands Division final at Broadstreet RFC Coventry.
Chris Wood and George Messum (two tries) who played in the 1st XV's league win away to Market Bosworth.
Buzzards took the opportunity before Saturday's match, to say a big thank you to the generous group of sponsors, who had all contributed, to enable the Buzzards to fit out the entire squad of players and coaches out with new playing and training strip.
Electro-Services Ltd, Pulloxhill; Minney and Co Chartered Accountants, Dunstable; MonaVie, fruit drink with phytonutrients and antioxidants; Leighton Buzzard Snooker Club, Dudley Street, Leighton. Herts Equipment Rental Ltd, Watford; and Tony Wild Camping, Woburn Abbey.
Next match: Saturday, November 7, away v Towcester in the East Midlands Colts League, kick off 2.15pm, meet 12.15, supporters welcome. Training Tuesdays and Thursdays 7pm to 8.45. New players of all abilities welcome. 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
