A show of real character secures cup victory

LEIGHTON BUZZARD 23 – 15 BIGGLESWADE

Leighton Buzzard secured an exciting victory to win the Les Carr Cup, defeating Biggleswade in front of a large and noisy Tuesday evening crowd at Wrights Meadow. Unlike many games this season, this match was not won by an exhibition of running rugby but by character, grit and a totally committed defence. Amazingly, for six of the last ten minutes, Buzzards played with only twelve men as three yellow cards came in quick succession.

Biggleswade kicked off downhill in initially sunny but ultimately cool conditions with the benefit of a stiff breeze. Buzzards took the lead after four minutes, with Tom Maynard dummying and then sprinting from halfway to score under the posts.  James Brett converted for a 7-0 lead. Having made a mess of dealing with the restart kick, Leighton were pinned in their own territory. With the wind strengthening and a growing penalty count, it took Buzzards fully fifteen minutes before they managed to revisit the Biggleswade half. However, in a portent of what was to be a major factor in the game, the Buzzards defence held firm.

Finally, midway through the half, a James Brett break and kick ahead gave Buzzards territory. However, shortly afterwards Jacob Dove was given a yellow card, as the referee misinterpreted a clumsy entrance to a ruck as foul play. Shortly afterwards the Biggleswade open-side flanker took advantage of the numerical advantage to score a fine individual try, cutting the Buzzard lead to 7-5. With seven minutes of the half left, Matt Bloxham scored following a break by Callum Creber - although just three minutes later the visitors scored their second try, leaving the score 12-10. The first half finished with intense pressure on the Buzzard line with the home crowd relieved to hear the referee’s whistle for the break with Leighton still ahead.

Now playing downhill and with the advantage of the wind, Buzzards were benefiting from greater territorial advantage from fly-half Euan Starling’s excellent tactical kicking. However, the visitors defence was holding firm, so Buzzards took three points from a James Brett penalty to extend the lead to 15-10.

An injury early in the second half to Ollie Taylor caused a tactical change with Jacob Dove moving to centre and young Arthur Page, who was to have an excellent half, coming on into the back row. Further re-organisation was required following the first of four second half yellow cards, this one to Jacob Davies. However, despite this, it was Buzzards who scored next with Callum Creber touching down, following a Jacob Dove break, to extend the lead to 20-10.

Although Jacob Davies had returned, yellow cards were given in quick succession to Ash Walsh, Tom Maynard and Iestyn Hopkin although in this period James Brett managed to extend the lead to 23-10 with another penalty. But now, with fifteen playing twelve, the pressure was intense and with five minutes left Biggleswade scored again. Vitally the attempted conversion fell short leaving them eight points behind at 23-15 ensuring the visitors would need to score twice if they were to win.

Encouraged by the increasing vociferous crowd, it was now the true character and determination of the Buzzard team stood out. With the “they shall not pass” attitude epitomised by the Dove brothers, Jacob and Sam , who seemed to be in a personal contest to make the most tackles, the visitors spent the last few minutes pinned in their half.

With the final score 23-15, the Les Carr shield was presented to Captain James Brett but congratulations to all the players and coaches in a tremendous team effort.

Buzzards now have a week off before the Counties 2 North Plate Semi-Final away at either Royston or Mersea Island.