 BUZZARD Colts 29 v Bedford Athletic Colts 31
East Midlands Colts League Final
With the end of the season rapidly approaching, Buzzards were looking for their first silverware, as they faced a tough away draw in the final, against an equally talented Bedford Athletic squad, that had also progressed to the last 8 of the National Colts competition. Buzzards were not quite at full strength, but the sheer depth of the squad, saw a whole raft of very able players not make the starting line up.
Buzzards received the kick off and went straight on the offensive, as a combination of strong running and the Ath’s early nerves, saw a couple of straight forward tackles missed, as Buzzards threatened to break the deadlock. Ath infringed in front of the posts, Buzzards elected to kick, but bizarrely failed to use the kicking tee and the drop goal attempt was sliced, as the simplest of kicks was missed, for what was to be a crucial missed opportunity.
The early exchanges were savage, as players from both sides were highly committed, but Buzzards looked the more fluid of the sides and pinned Ath deep in their own half. Ath launched a deep kick to the corner, to relieve the pressure and were the recipients of a favourable bounce, always likely on the rock hard surface, as the ball bounced very awkwardly and the hard running support had the ball literally drop into his hands, at full pace. An excellent tackle, saw an equally good off load and the Ath were under the posts for a converted try, on literally their first visit to the Buzzard half, after 7 minutes. 0-7.
Undaunted, Buzzards went back to work and again looked the more fluid of the sides, as they moved the ball and supported well, Ath’s defence was however, rock solid. The breakdowns were strongly contested throughout and disappointingly for both sides, transgression after transgression was ignored. Ath were penalised for a clear punch off the ball, the perpetrator was very fortunate indeed not to receive the mandatory yellow card, as Buzzards this time slotted the penalty 3-7.
Buzzards were still looking the more likely side, but were guilty of simply trying too hard on numerous occasions, as the ball was forced, or poor decisions were made, as the pressure of the occasion seemed to be showing. Morgan then made a telling break and his centre partner Braithwaite finished off a fine move under the posts, as Buzzards took a deserved lead, 10-7.
The game started to ebb and flow, as both sides stove for supremacy. Ath’s kicking game was strong, as was the defensive chase, denying Buzzards the opportunity to counter attack. Buzzards were well aware of Ath strong place kicking and were disappointed to give away a soft penalty, in totally the wrong area of the filed, as the score were tied 10-10. With time running out in the half, Buzzards were clearly frustrated to be on par, having arguably had the lion’s share of the first half chances.
Buzzard upped the tempo and the Ath were stretched wide, they then transgressed on the try line, close to the corner. Esdon tapped and found Messum in close support, at full tilt, as he powered over literally on the corner flag. Kempster stepped forward for his first kick of the day and made the extremely difficult conversion look very easy, as Buzzards took the lead at half time 17-10.
Buzzards regrouped at half time and knew that they needed to maintain their momentum into the second half, as the next score was likely to be crucial. As it transpired, it was the Ath who hit the ground running almost immediately, as they caught Buzzards totally flat footed, simple tackles were missed and Buzzards literally went into self destruction mode for a ten minute period.
Ath were awarded a couple of penalties and elected to attack Buzzards with ball in hand, little more than straight running, saw the defence breached, as the Ah gave Buzzards a lesson in finishing once close to the line. 21 points from three converted trys were racked up in short shrift, as Ath hit a real purple patch and Buzzards failed to regroup and their tackling became almost non existent. Buzzards were almost unrecognisable, as their previous solid defence became a disorganised rabble.
With the score at 31-17 with over 20 minutes remaining Buzzards certainly had time to restore the balance, the key question was did they have the appetite.
Ath having hit Buzzards with all they had were struggling in the set scrummages and were at times littering the pitch, as they threw themselves whole heatedly into their defensive responsibilities. Buzzards struggled for fluidity, as time after time poor passes and possession lost in contact robbed them of the continuity they needed. Buzzards were also guilty of kicking aimlessly, when possession and phased play were always more likely to bring the desired outcomes.
Both sides attacked and counter attacked, the breakdowns continued to be a complete mess, with far too many plays from both sides allowed to be off their feet and not behind the back foot. Play was scrappy and Ath were happy to kick and keep Buzzards 75 meters away from their line, with a 14 point cushion.
Buzzards play became uncharterstically frantic, as poor decision making saw them trying to do things they simply didn’t need to do. With regular stoppages for players with little more than a clear lack of fitness, Buzzards were rapidly running out of time, when Hamper in support of a returned kick, flashed over in the corner for a timely score. Unfortunately he was injured by a questionable tackle in the process of scoring and had to leave the field, Evans matched the previous touchline conversion, and it was game on 24-31.
Buzzards were well aware that the draw would see them victorious under the competition rules and set about trying to stage a miraculous comeback Ath were just about all in, as their hard defence work and Buzzards forward pressure began to tell, however, they were throwing themselves into the final salvos, as if their very lives depended on it.
With time running out Buzzards went into all out attack mode, Ath kicked and kicked again, Buzzards countered and Messum crossed the line wide out, his exceptional pace brought him close to the posts, for a truly tremendous try and a 29-31 score line. The Ath were crest fallen as they stood behind their line waiting for the inevitable, knowing the conversion would see the championship go too the Buzzards. The pressure however told and the simple kick was missed and the Ath were in ecstasy, as the final whistle saw them victorious 29-31.
A hard way to lose for the Buzzards, but their inability to make two simple kicks at the start and the beginning of the game were crucial. Ath’s 10 minutes of simple direct rugby, allied to good support and decision making, just after half time proved to be key. Buzzards had almost tried to hard from the start, where as the Ath just did the simple things well, under huge pressure, in both attack and defence. Congratulations to Beds Ath on their hard fought victory.
Buzzards face Ampthill on Tuesday night in the Beds Cup semi final. Tantalisingly for the Buzzards, Beds Ath await the victors away in the final!
Bedfordshire Colts Cup Semi Final
Ampthill Home
Tuesday 27th April
Meet 5:00 KO 6:30
All Supporters very welcome.
Training Tuesdays & Thursdays 7:00 to 8:30.
New players of all abilities are very welcome.
http://www.buzzardrugby.co.uk
|
