LEIGHTON BUZZARD 32- 3 BUGBROOKE: Buzzards master the elements to secure bonus point victory

LEIGHTON BUZZARD 32- 3 BUGBROOKE

Leighton Buzzard secured a bonus point victory against Northamptonshire-based Bugbrooke with an impressive performance in very difficult conditions. The heavy driving rain and strong winds made fast running rugby almost impossible and ball retention difficult, but Buzzards adapted their game well to reflect the stormy weather.

Leighton kicked off downhill, but more importantly into the strong wind. Buzzards were forced into an early change as, with only two minutes played, centre Jacob Davies suffered a nasty gash to his leg and was unable to take any further part in the game.

With the strength of the wind, it was inevitable that the visitors would dominate territory and it was sixteen minutes before Buzzards left their own half. During this period there had been moments of goal line pressure, but Leighton’s well-organised defence held firm.

Midway through the half, Buzzards came close to scoring, but the final pass was dropped. Increasingly the game was played more in the Bugbrooke half, but with Leighton crucially aware that any turnover would result in the ball being kicked back deep into Leighton territory.

With Buzzards ball retention much improved, they finished the half strongly. A strong break by Jacob Dove after thirty-two minutes came close to opening the scoring and three minutes later, Leighton were held up over the line. During this period Bugbrooke conceded a number of penalties, but Buzzards declined the chance to kick for goal leaving the first half scoreless.

Now with the benefit of the wind, Leighton were encouraged by coach Rich Hill to play a more expansive style. Surprisingly it was the visitors who took the lead with a penalty just two minutes after the re-start to lead by three points. However, four minutes later Buzzards took a 7-3 lead with a Jacob Murtagh try in the corner, which captain James Brett impressively converted from the touchline. Shortly afterwards, Jacob Murtagh, who had an excellent game turned provider for Matt Bloxham to touchdown and extend the lead to 12-3.  

With fifteen minutes left, Buzzards scored their third try. Fly-half Ollie Taylor placed a well judged kick into the Bugbrooke in-goal area for winger Harrison Westwood to touch down. By now, the Buzzard pack, superbly led by Man-of-the Match Jacob Murtagh, was dominating as the visitors tired and, with ten minutes left, Tom Maynard scored to secure the four try bonus point. The athletic Maynard continued to be the beneficiary of the pack’s increasing dominance, adding two more late tries for an individual eight-minute hat-trick. With goal kicking increasingly difficult in the squally conditions, none of these later tries were converted, although one of James Brett’s efforts hit the crossbar to leave Leighton comfortable winners 32-3.

This was an excellent team performance particularly in the second half, although unfortunately by then a sizeable proportion of a large crowd had sought the dry sanctuary of the clubhouse.

Next week Buzzards travel to Daventry.