Leighton Buzzard 4ths 31 - Aylesbury 30

Leighton Buzzard 4th XV survived a dramatic late scare to hold on win their fourth match of 2010 - in a thrilling match against a youthful Aylesbury XV, Buzzards suffered an early setback, losing the marauding Stuart Ferris in the warmup. Minutes into the match Leighton lost prop Michael Gallee to a knee injury forcing the early introduction of substitute prop Nick Skinner.

Leighton started brightly and made good territory, however, a series of infractions allowed Aylesbury to setup camp on the Buzzard line having given away the length of the field in penalties. Aylesbury crossed for a well worked try which Leighton did well to stop at the first attempt, however it was the indiscipline that left Leighton rueing gifting the home side an early advantage. Not dispirited, Leighton struck back immediately - a probing kick from scrum-half Marc Gear saw Buzzards advance to 5m from the Aylesbury line - a fine lineout steal by Martin Rowe provided a superb platform for the forwards to drive over from. When the maul trundled over the line and went down, it was Jamie Bedford who was left holding the ball to touchdown to tie the match. Gear added the conversion.

Buzzards soon struck again, this time through Harvey Creber who crashed over following a text book pick and go from the base of the scrum. The Buzzard pack was working well but suffered a huge blow when they lost replacement prop Skinner to injury. Moments before halftime Gary Denning powered through to grab Leighton's third try using his powerful frame as a battering ram - Gear missed the conversion. Aylesbury were to have the final say in the half as with the final play of the half they crossed under the posts. Conversion missed. Halftime.

Two self converted Tony Gear trys were Buzzards reward for a second half performance that was blighted by injury and indiscipline, Buzzards lost scrum-half Marc Gear to further disrupt the well oiled Buzzard machine. Leighton could not find the breakthrough that would kill off Aylesbury though as the homeside kept in touch as they crossed the whitewash three times in the second half to setup a grandstand finish.

With the clock running down, Aylesbury were 6 points behind requiring a converted score to win the match - the home sides were awarded a series of penalties under the posts - unable to kick for goal to win the match Aylesbury slammed into the Buzzard defence with ferocityand a score under the posts looked certain but for heroic defending from Leighton Buzzard. Buzzards won turnover ball and advanced upfield with what looked like the final act of the match, however the referee called play back and awarded another Aylesbury penalty under the posts. Buzzards held firm once more, although the ball squirted out towards the Aylesbury wing to crash over for a try in the corner. Confusion reigned with many Aylesbury players believing they had done enough to secure the win and some Buzzards fearing defeat, as it stood, Aylesbury needed to add the conversion to win the match. Aylesbury kicker was having a difficult afternoon having not landed his previous 5 attempts and was now faced with his most difficult of the afternoon, the kick drifted wide and the referee clarified Buzzards winners by the slenderest of margins.

Next week Buzzards treavel to Bedford Swifts who are in second place in Waggledance League, only behind leaders Ampthill on points difference. Kick off at International Stadium is 2.15pm.