 BUZZARD Colts 37 v Doncaster Knights Colts 27
National Colts Cup Fifth Round
Buzzards Colts, having arrived at the last 16 of this national competition for the first time in the clubs history, were relishing the opportunity of challenging a Doncaster side whose professional 1ST XV play in the Championship, only one run down from the top level Guinness Premiership. Buzzards had worked hard in preparation for this huge game and were fielding a squad totally unencumbered by senior calls to the 1stXV & school commitments. As a consequence, the squad was the strongest available so far this season and all augured well for a very tough match indeed!
D’s won the toss and kicked off up the slope, to a huge roar from the large Buzzard crowd. As was to be expected, both sides were determined to make an immediate impression on their opponents. D’s put in a big hit on the Buzzard catcher, and drove over vigorously, they were rewarded with a penalty opportunity when Buzzards were adjudged to have not released the ball. The simple chance was taken & D’s had a dream start, 0-3.
Buzzards repeated the trick themselves, when they flattened the receiver from the restart. D’s managed to recycle but were under real pressure and struggled to clear their lines effectively. Buzzards defence swarmed over D’s and pinned them deep in their own 22 meter area. Buzzards soon stuck back, when they moved the ball wide for a scrum. The backs handling and pace was excellent and winger Pratt rounded his opposite number, the cover defence was their, but a fine inside pass, found fly half Adams in close support, as he dived over in the right hand corner, the difficult conversion was just missed 5-3.
D’s were clearly struggling with the Buzzard handling and pace and set about making their mark on the game, as they kept he ball tight and elected to drive at their opponents at every opportunity. D’s driving maul was effective, if somewhat limited in ambition, but they made ground close to the breakdowns. When they did release the ball, they struggled to move the ball wide and elected to kick on numerous occasions.
Buzzards were next to score when D’s cynically offended 15 meters out, following a mesmerising 50 m run from centres Whitehouse & Morgan. Buzzards elected to kick for goal and Whitehouse duly converted Buzzards landmark first penalty attempt of the season after 22 games, for a deserved 8-3 lead .
D’s clearly knew it was game on and they responded well, as they again drove at the Buzzard pack. Buzzards knocked on under pressure in their own 22 and D’s kept it tight as they drove to the line. D’s recycled quick ball and smashed it up close again, a valiant tackle from Morgan saw the attaker felled, but he regained his feet and just made the line at the base of the post, for a well worked try, the simple conversion gave D’s the lead, a little against the run of play, but clearly demonstrating their forward capabilities, 8-10. Centre Morgan was unfortunately injured in the tackle and had to leave the field, tacking no further part in proceedings.
Play was end to end, Buzzards attacked with ball in hand, D’s electing to kick and driving in the forwards. Buzzards were awarded another penalty which unfortunately bounced off the upright, a better follow up might have brought a try, as D’s were slow to react. Buzzards upped the anti and moved the ball at real pace, threatening several times to break away. D’s had done their home work and desperately tried to defend the midfield, working the off side line, often well beyond the laws. As they scrambled into the wide channels, they inevitably left gaps, flanker Lingard exploited one, when he received the ball 55 meters out and exploded into open field, leaving a trail of defenders in his wake, he then outpaced the cover defence to score a quality try close to the posts, conversion Whitehouse 15-10.
From the restart it was all Buzzards, every breakdown saw a number of D’s players strewn across the park as they struggled with the game tempo. They were fortunate that the match official was also struggling, so they had the opportunity to regain their breath, before the next onslaught. Prop Evans pulled a mussel, as Buzzards injury woes continued, but Swann off the bench (as with Earl for Morgan earlier) showed the undoubted quality of the Buzzard squad.
The next score was crucial and Buzzards looked the most likely candidates. Lingard duly obliged when the D’s 10 under massive pressure had his kick charged down deep in his own 22 by Lingard, who easily won the footrace to the line. 20-10
With time nearly up for the half, Buzzards stole the ball on the half way line and scrum half Esdon hit Adams at speed up the short side. Adams cut through the gap at amazing pace and raced in from 45m for the final score of the half. Unfortunately a defender arrived late to the try line and performed an illegal two footed tackle on Adams as he scored, injuring him & removing a real threat from the Buzzard armoury for the rest of the match, the culprit amazingly remained unpunished, 25-10.
Buzzards regrouped at half time , with Hamper joining the fray, and Whitehouse moving into the 10 slot. Buzzards knew that the next score would be key, as they had demoralised D’s in the final quarter of the first half.
The half started with D’s determined to regain some dominance, but with such a limited game plan they were always likely to struggle when they did attempt to move the ball. Buzzards counter attacked well from D’s relieving kick and soon found themselves pressing the D’s line. An attacking scrum saw Messum pick up and link with Pratt who beat his man close to the line with consummate ease, to score wide out on the right, for a deserved 30-10 lead.
D’s to their credit kept their heads up and with more than half an hour remaining knew they had time to claw back the Buzzard lead. Their biggest problem was their forward orientated approach and complete lack of ambition, meant it took huge amounts of time off the clock, continually driving the ball tight into contact.
The Buzzard defence in open play was water tight further cutting down D’s options. D’s line out was function well and they elected to kick for territory whenever possible. D’s got back into the game when Buzzards were harshly penalised contesting the ball at the breakdown and a deep touch finder saw them 5m from the Buzzard line, with the advantage of the throw. Buzzards defended the forward surge twice, before D’s finally broke though , the simple conversion for 30-17 giving them a chink of light at the end of the tunnel.
Buzzards were back on the offensive as the pattern of the game continued, Buzzards with ball in hand and D’s trying to bludgeon their way over the line. Buzzards then scored the try of the game, as the backs showed a level of skill and lines of running that mesmerised the D’s defence, Pratt of the right wing ghosted through the well worked gap and showed a clean pair of heals to the floundering defence, Whitehouse conversion giving Buzzards a 37-17 score line. With 15 minutes remaining yet another injury. Lingard left the field with an injured shoulder, ably replace by McGarvey and Keating replaced Earl, who had worked manfully thorough out, in spite of his lack of match practise, due to a protracted injury problem.
D’s showed their qualities and commitment, as they continued to attack the Buzzards in spite of the margin of the scores. It wasn’t pretty, but they continued to attack using “route one rugby”. Buzzards defended like daemons and held the line on numerous occasions, as D’s ran straight and hard every time. Buzzard looked as if they could defend all day, when suddenly Prop Hunt was single out for being off side and was very harshly sent to the sin bin for the remainder of the match. Spurred by the man advantage, D’s eventually managed to cross the line, following several more forward drives, for a hard earned converted try. 37-22.
The match official was clearly less than impressed with the Buzzards, as he penalised them at every opportunity, as a consequence the final minutes of the game were all played on the Buzzard try line. D’s already a man up, need no further invitation and scored from a drive right on the final whistle, the conversion giving them a some what flattering 37-27 score line.
A great win for the young Buzzards, playing the game with passion, commitment & a real ambition to attack with the ball in hand. This very young side showed real maturity, as they seamlessly dealt with the loss of 5 key players during the game.
Congratulations are due very much to the whole squad of players, not just the match day 22, who have all worked so hard to deservedly reach the last 8 of this National competition, a fantastic achievement indeed.
Well played also to Doncaster, who contributed to a very tense and entertaining match, they were gracious in defeat, acknowledging Buzzard greater pace and superior handling skills. Buzzard clearly has some work to do defending the driving maul, which you can guarantee will be worked on at training this week.
Next weeks Buzzard are urgently hunting for a match from the fixtures pool, in order to make sure all squad members not in action today are given much needed game time, as the Colts move towards the “sharp” end of the season.
Buzzards Colts are kindly sponsored by:
Electro-Services Ltd Pulloxhill
Minney & Co Chartered Accountants Dunstable
MonaVie, fruit drink with phytonutrients & antioxidants
Leighton Buzzard Snooker Club Dudley Street
Herts. Equipment Rental Ltd Watford
Tony Wild Camping Woburn Abbey
Saturday 20th February TBA
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