4th xv 7 Beds Swifts32

Leighton Buzzard 4th XV were back on the road again on Saturday hoping it would be third time lucky against Bedford Swifts, having played Swifts twice previous this season they had been shutout on both occassions with the Bedford side running out winners without a Buzzard score.

On a tempestuous day at International Stadium, Buzzards were undone by an aerial assault by Swifts in the first 20 minutes of the match. Buzzards failed to deal with the bombardment which lead to four unanswered scores by the home side. Naturally this rattled Leighton and they took a while to find their feet and gain possession. Once they did however the game took on a more balanced look with backs Mike Wears and debutant Ian Abbey lancing through the Swifts defence, only to be hauled down and the attack snuffed out. Buzzards welcomed back Irish hooker John Murphy for his first start of the season and handed a debut to centre Ian Abbey, the newly engaged Robbie Macrae returned from Brazil and came on as a second half replacement.

Ty Chaulia was handed the 9 jersey for his first start at scrum-half and his slippery running created a fine platform for the forwards to build on, Lewis and Stuart Ferris making the hard yards when most needed. Ross Mounteney's trademark crunching tackles were on display as the Canadian delivered when required. Second row Nigel Eaton was as ever solid in the engine room of the scrum as Leighton looked to disrupt the Swifts setpiece as frequently as possible.

Buzzards' slow start had cost them dear, but their only choice in the second half was to continue the ambition and seek another great comeback to match their efforts from previous seasons. Buzzards built the pressure in the Swifts 22 but could not capitalise on their territory as quickly as they would have liked. Swifts second half try was followed up by three points for a penalty in front of the posts.

A score from Tony Gear saw Buzzards get off the mark, but throught thry still looked lively and likely to score, the rains arrived and neutralised both teams attack. Swifts had the better of the final 10 minutes of the match as they looked to have the last word, however Buzzards will probably claim to have had the better of the second period..

Gear crossed the line following an attempted clearance from Swifts wing, which was charged down by advancing Leighton speedmerchant Tim Wray. The loose was scooped out wide by Stuart Ferris who passed to captain Martin Rowe who slid over unopposed in the corner. The try was not given as the referee played no advantage from an attempted punch on Byron Bedford thar saw a Swifts player sent to the sin-bin for ten minutes of repentence. From the quick tap penalty, Gear wriggled strongly under the static defence and burst over to score his 29th try of the season, he capped this with his 32nd conversion of the season.

With the clock running down and the game beyond them still Leighton would not give up, Byron Bedford sparking an attack that looked to have ended as Swifts hacked clear from their 22.But Tim Wray regathered and scooted down the left flank before cutting inside with his trademark step to claim some precious yardage, the Bedford Swifts swarm once again enveloping a certain score.

Next week Buzzards welcome Vauxhall Motors to Wrights Meadow, earlier in the season both sides fought out a pulsating 17-17 draw - Buzzards will be looking to go one better this time and secure the full points for their Waggledance League campaign. Buzzards are currently unbeaten at home in 2010 with fine wins over Bedford Quens and Daventry.