Buzzards unable to hold out as cards take their toll

Whilst Buzzards had beaten their opponents comfortably earlier in the season Old Laurentians (O.L.s) have shown good form recently, placing them fourth in the league. Ultimately it was the final ten minutes of a hugely competitive game that decided the result with Leighton down to thirteen men unable to hold a ten-point lead.

Buzzards kicked off in dry conditions and playing into a gentle breeze. Leighton started well with a lot of possession in home side twenty-two and the Buzzard scrum looking particularly dominant. However, O.L.s defended well and, when they broke out, there were early warning signs of the pace they had in their backs.

The home side took the lead after fourteen minutes with an excellent move and showing real pace from inside their own half to score behind the posts. The straightforward conversion gave them a 7-0 lead. Five minutes they came close to doubling their lead with another excellent move, but the referee had spotted a forward pass.

The remainder of the half was very competitive with Buzzards looking to open their scoring, whilst mindful of the constant threat from the O.L.s backs. Leighton suffered a set-back after thirty-three minutes when winger Jamie West , who had been Buzzards most threatening runner, went off injured. He was replaced by league debutant Finley Clancy, who looked assured throughout. In the final minute of the half Ollie Taylor went close but finally Jacob Dove touched down. With James Brett’s conversion Buzzards went into half-time level at 7-7.

Now, with the benefit of the breeze, Buzzards planned to play in the home side’s territory but had to be careful that a kicking game would give possession to the O.L.s dangerous runners. However Leighton did lift the tempo and and seven minutes into the half came close to scoring with a quickly-taken penalty from half-way. Three minutes later Buzzards had a penalty in front of the posts. Perhaps noticing that the home side were expecting a kick at goal, James Brett quickly spotted a gap to score under the posts. The Buzzard captain converted his own try to put Leighton 14-7 ahead.

Shortly afterwards Buzzards could have extended their lead following a great break by Jacob Dove but a pass was knocked-on as an increasing number of inaccuracies were thwarting their efforts. With fifteen minutes of the half played , Jacob Davies was shown a yellow card for a high tackle, although three minutes later Buzzards extended their lead to 17-7 with a long-range James Brett penalty.

Whilst Buzzards were unable to extend their lead, they were defending resolutely. Whilst there were moments when the home side came close to scoring, it appeared that Leighton could hold out until the dramatic momentum swing of the final ten minutes. Firstly, Jacob Davies was shown a second yellow resulting in a red card for taking a player out in the air. Four minutes later and after a period of intense pressure the home side drove over to cut Buzzards lead to 17-14.

Worse was to follow – with five minutes left Ollie Taylor was extremely harshly shown a straight red card for what the referee considered a dangerous tackle. It appeared to many to be an accidental rugby incident as the player jinked into Ollie, who was not attempting a tackle at that moment.

With Buzzards now playing the final five minutes with thirteen men, there was an inevitability that O.L.s winning try would come putting the home side 21-17 ahead. There was time to kick off for one final play but nothing that Buzzards could do but hold on for a losing bonus point.

Whilst disappointed, Buzzards should be proud of their commitment that on other days would have secured victory against a very good side. Next week Leighton travel back to Rugby to face Rugby Lions.