Captain's late kick rescues bonus point for Leighton Buzzard

Despite losing, Buzzards have a promotion spot in their own hands, helped by securing a losing bonus point with a late 45 metre penalty from captain James Brett.

Buzzards kicked off and quickly established and retained good possession in the Stockwood half. A penalty after three minutes, kicked by James Brett gave Buzzards a 3 point lead. Stockwood Park had the opportunity to level three minutes later, but the penalty attempt drifted wide. However, this was a rare visit by the home side into Buzzard territory as Leighton dominated possession for the first twenty-five minutes.

Leighton came close to extending their lead after ten minutes after an excellent break from halfway by Ash Walsh, and seven minutes later, when a slick move in the backs ended just short of the corner. In between these opportunities James Brett had extended the lead to six points with his second penalty.

Midway through the half Buzzards finally added a try. A Stockwood clearance kick reached halfway and was passed to full back Iestyn Hopkin who beat numerous defenders to score an exceptional individual try in the corner. The difficult conversion was missed to leave Buzzards 11-0 ahead.

Well that Stockwood Park had defended, Buzzards should have been further ahead after this period of dominance, particularly as the momentum was slowly but undeniably shifting. Both the Buzzard scrum and lineout were coming under increasing pressure and the Stockwood back line was coming more into the game. Two penalties late in the half cut the Buzzard lead to 11-6 at half time.

Stockwood Park started the second-half well and crossed the line eight minutes after the break but were held up. Despite discipline being good in the first half, Buzzards were now conceding numerous penalties increasing the pressure on their defence. Finally, the pressure told as a home side centre breached the line to score by the posts. The successful conversion put Stockwood ahead for the first time at 13-11.

Leighton were now struggling to obtain and keep possession and, mid-way through the half, there was huge pressure on the Buzzard line. Whilst the defence was committed, with Jacob Dove outstanding, there was an inevitability of a second Stockwood try, which with the conversion pushed their lead to 20-11. Worse still, the referee showed a yellow card to Ollie Garbett for team cumulative penalty offences, meaning that Leighton would play ten of the remaining fifteen minutes with only 14 players.

Credit to Leighton they showed considerable resolve. Whilst they could not prevent losing, 20-14, they did manage to ensure their opponents did not secure a 4-try bonus point and, with James Brett’s late long penalty, earn a losing bonus point.

Next week Buzzards welcome league leaders Oundle II to Wrights Meadow.