4th xv 32 v Old Scouts 18

Leighton Buzzard 4th XV notched up a fine victory against Northampton Old Scouts on Saturday, running out 32-18 winners at the third time of asking. Buzzards had played Old Scouts twice previously this season, losing on both occassions and most recently being on the end of an 81-7 thumping in November. Thoughts of past games were quickly forgotten as on another glorious day at Wrights Meadow, Leighton set their stall out to attack with some fine free flowing rugby. Buzzards started very well, taking the game to the visitors from the kick off, but it was Old Scouts who drew first blood with a well taken penalty from 22 metres out to give the visitors an early 3-0 lead.

Two scintillating Tony Gear tries, the former bringing up his 300th point of the season was a contender for the score of the season, put Buzzards in front and set the tone of the match. Gear converted his first try. The forward battle was titanic as both back rows never looked like backing down - the game was characterised by big tackles and insicive breaks.

Depsite the Buzzard dominance, they couldn't quite make that final phase count as Old Scouts defended very well filling the pitch with their recognisable "Number 5 shirts" - Leighton plugged away relentlessly and got their reward as Ross Bevan cythed through just before half time to give Leighton Buzzard a 17-3 lead following some well worked centre play.

Moments after half-time Buzzards suffered a blow losing full-back Tom Gibbs with a suspected cruciate knee injury, he was replaced by Jake Wheeler who quickly made his mark with a superb try out wide following some battling forward play.

Old Scouts stepped up their game in the second half and crossed for three well worked tries to peg Leighton Buzzard back to 22-18, having lost out on numerous occassions to second half fightbacks this season, the large crowd were becoming visibly nervous as the game entered the final quarter as neither side let up and the game continued with much ferocity. Last weekends last minute heartbreak to Ampthill was still especially fresh in the mind.

Buzzard nerves were calmed when the ball was sent down the line to reach Number 8 Stuart Ferris who was in a great overlap position, Ferris steamed in to increase Leighton's lead and ease some of the pressure. Only 9 points behind Old Scouts went looking for a decisive score that could have swung the balance of play in the final minutes - deep in the Buzzards 22 metre, the ball was spilled, Jake Wheeler reacted quickest and launched an inspired counter attack that could have graced the grandest of occasions - Wheeler tackled, but got the ball to paceman Tony Gear in the offload - with the try line beckoning, Gear drew the last defender before offloading the ball to a grateful Tim Wray who touched down to put the game to bed and secure Buzzard 4ths a famous and well deserved victory.

Old Scouts stepped in to play Buzzards at the eleventh hour as Biggleswade could not fulfill their final Waggledance League fixture of the season, a decision that saw Leighton awarded the points which now sees Buzzards sitting in a seasons best 2nd place in the Waggledance league and facing an anxious wait to see what Rushden and Ampthill in the chasing pack achieve in the last two weeks of April.