Buzzards stay top with local derby victory

In front of a large crowd, both teams contributed to an entertaining and a very competitive match.

The early minutes were competitive but mostly in midfield although James Brett came closest to scoring after a good break by Ash Walsh. It took eleven minutes for Leighton to open the scoring – a clever kick ahead by Jack Cullen was hacked on and Calum Creber won the race to touch down. James Brett converted from near the touchline for a 7-0 lead.

Whilst most of the play was in the Stockwood half, the visitors defence was holding firm and using their big runners when they had possession. It was midway through the half before Stockwood threatened in attack, with their no.2, who was an attacking threat all afternoon, making the initial break. The Buzzard defence, with centre Jacob Davies prominent, stood firm and shortly afterwards the visitors dropped the ball just inside Buzzard territory. Winger George Rabbitt pounced on the loose ball, kicked ahead and showed his pace to win the fifty metre race to touch down. James Brett converted for a 14-0 lead.

Stockwood now enjoyed their longest period of pressure in the Buzzard twenty-two, but without looking as if they were likely to breach the organized Buzzard defence. Once the pressure was lifted, Leighton once again showed their cutting edge in attack, with winger Jamie West cutting a great angle to score under the posts. James Brett’s conversion was the last play of the half, leaving Buzzards 21-0 ahead.

Now playing downhill and with a healthy lead, Buzzards seemed to briefly lose concentration. Ball retention was poor with knock-ons or losing possession in the tackle. Seven minutes into the half the visitors scored a fine converted try cutting Leighton’s lead to 21-7.

Midway through the half, Buzzards scored their fourth and bonus point try. The ball was spread wide to George Rabbitt, who beating the last two defenders, scored his second try. Once again James Brett added the extras for a 28-7 lead.

Three minutes later Stockwood scored again – following a line-out their scrum-half dummied and went straight though a gap to score unopposed. If there were any nerves in the home crowd these were quickly calmed as Buzzard scrum-half James Brett replicated his opposite number by dummying to score under the posts. With both these scrum-half tries converted, Buzzards led 35-14 with twelve minutes left.

Credit to Stockwood Park who once again put the Buzzard defence under significant pressure. Patiently working through the phases, they were rewarded with a converted try with five minutes left. Whilst Buzzards led 35-21 , the visitors knew that a further try would give them two bonus points. The remaining time was almost entirely played in Buzzard territory, but the defence held leaving the visitors with nothing to show for their efforts.