Ton-up Buzzards in 17 try demolition

Buzzards’ speed, with 8 of the 17 tries scored by wingers, proved too much for their doughty opposition and the home side got full value for their touchdowns as captain James Brett kicked 16 out of 17 attempted conversions.

Having kicked off, it took Leighton just one minute to open the scoring – no.8 Tom Maynard driving over from the first scrum. With James Brett’s first conversion of the afternoon, Buzzards led 7-0. Jacob Murtagh appeared to have added a second try shortly afterwards from a break and kick ahead, but the referee judged that the Huntingdon defender had touched down first.

Shortly afterwards Buzzards scored three tries in five minutes to secure the try bonus point after only nine minutes. The first of these three was scored by Ollie Taylor after a Jacob Dove assist whilst the second resulted from a long-range attack through many hands for George Rabbitt to touch down. Two minutes later Jamie West re-gathered a James Brett chip to touch down to put Buzzard 28-0 ahead.

Following this period of play, Huntingdon enjoyed their best period of the game with their big forwards threatening the Buzzard line. However, the Leighton defence held firm and, after thirteen minutes without a try, the normal pattern of the game resumed. Jacob Dove made the decisive break, but when he was tackled just short, the ball was quickly recycled for George Rabbitt to score in the corner.

Leighton scored three more tries in the first half, Ollie Garbett driving over from a lineout, which was followed shortly afterwards by a good team move putting Raef Braithwaite in at the corner. The eighth try of the half was possibly the best – breaking from deep in their territory, Buzzard full back, Iestyn Hopkin kicked ahead. The ball was re-gathered by Jamie West and then transferred through many hands for Jacob Dove to score under the posts. With James Brett converting all 8 first-half tries, Leighton led 56-0 at the break.

Having scored in the first minute of the first-half, Tom Maynard should have done the same in the second half but he mis-judged the bounce of the ball with the line at his mercy. Two minutes later, Jamie West scored a fine individual try, beating numerous defenders.

After eight minutes Jacob Murtagh was shown a yellow card for an illegal tackle- although the visitors 10-minute numerical advantage made little difference as Buzzards scored three tries during this period through James Brett, Ash Walsh and veteran Matt Bloxham.

The final fifteen minutes of the game brought a further five tries. Firstly, an excellent individual try from Raef Braithwaite, who then turned provider for Fin Rodger. In between these two tries Jamie West had completed his hat-trick. Sam Dove then made the break for Ollie Garbutt to add his second try. Finally, a break and kick ahead by Ash Walsh gave Raef Braithwaite the opportunity to score his third try. James Brett converted these last five tries.