| Academy v Beds Ath 4th May 2010 |
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BUZZARD Colts 29 v Bedford Athletic Colts 15Bedfordshire Colts Cup Final
Buzzards faced Bedford Athletic in the Bedfordshire County cup final, a repeat of the |East Midlands Colts League final, played at the same venue only 10 days earlier. Buzzard were unfortunate not to salvage something from the earlier encounter, losing 29-31, when they failed to kick a very simple conversion with the final kick of the game, which would have given them the trophy as the away side. Needless to say, Buzzards arrived focused and determined to redress the balance.
Buzzard’s first obstacle was to ensure they didn’t fall into the “bad habits” shown during the first encounter. When they were guilty of simply trying far too hard, to make things happen, when all they in fact needed to do, was relax and play their normal game.
Buzzards kicked off and were immediately on the offensive, as they pressurised Ath at every opportunity. Buzzard dominated all the early exchanges and had clearly come to play. Ath remained composed, but the cracks in their scrum and line out, self evident in the earlier game, appeared very early on in these proceedings.
Buzzards opened the scoring after 7 minutes, Janes scored under the posts, as he finished off a marvellous passage of play from 55 meters out. Messum linked with Morgan, Braithwaite & Morgan inter passed and Janes was on hand, as Buzzards power pace and skill (so disappointing absent before) were ably demonstrated, conversion Evans.
Ath were clearly on the back foot, Buzzards displayed considerably more physicality than they had before. Messum was the next to score, following some excellent team work and support play, sparked by scrum half Esdon, the kick was narrowly missed and the disappointment could bee seen on the faces of the Buzzards supporters, bearing in mind the history of recent events.
Ath were reduced to living off scraps and reverted to the kicking game that had been so fruitful previously. Buzzards dealt with the kicks well, despite Ath twice again being the recipients of illogical bounces on the hard surface, all credit to their kick chase.
Buzzard noticeably upped the tempo, as their confidence grew, the sheer pace and ambition of their play was extremely impressive, Ath, as might be expected from a side of their calibre redoubled their defensive efforts. With the next score being crucial, it was Buzzards who got their just rewards, as Braithwaite went on a trade mark mesmerising run. Red boots a blur and with golden locks flowing, he accelerated and jinked free from 50 meters, as he was the recipient of quick ball from his team mates. Evans simple conversion made the score 19-0 to Buzzards, with only a few minutes of the half remaining.
Ath managed a foray into the Buzzard 22, as the half timed out and were awarded a penalty which they duly converted, to bring the half time score to 19-3. Given Ath's unanswered 21-0 salvo, following half time previously, Buzzards had no grounds for complacency. However, on this occasion, Buzzards had been far more effective in both the execution of their game plan and skills.
Ath kicked off and failed to kick the10 meters required, A massive scrum from the Buzzards, Messum & (any coaches dream replacement scrum half) Wood, executed a swift transfer and Hamper, in close support, crashed over in the corner, the difficult conversion hitting the post and bouncing out 24-3.
The game was effectively over as a contest as Ath heads noticeably dropped, however any thoughts that a probable loosing margin meant it was time to go home, were quickly dispelled, as they set about manfully restoring the balance. Both sides used their benches and Ath’s pack became notably bigger, they unsurprisingly opted to take the ball directly at the Buzzards. Scott Pollitt-Evans a brilliant tackler at the worst of times, put in a simply astonishing tackle on half way, as his opponent was literally vaporised in his tracks. The gasps from the crowd are still resonating, as is the victim!
Ath continued to work the phases and retain possession; Buzzards were guilt of some unnecessary offences, giving the Ath the opportunity to move into range, by kicking penalties to the corners. Ath continued to batter the Buzzards defence, time after time they were repelled, until finally they crashed over from less than a meter, for a hard earned, but deserved score 24-8.
Buzzards rolled on the rest of their bench, eager for the whole match day squad to savour the moment. Both sides attacked and counter attacked, endeavouring to play in a manner and style in line with their playing principles. A number of players from both sides were struggling, as the long session looked to be taking its toll.
Jacob Barker on at prop, had an immediate impact, he seemed determined to out do Pollitt-Evans on the spectacular stakes. He took the ball at real pace and simply swatted away an opponent; the collision could allegedly be heard as far away as Milton Keynes. Within an instant Barker was illegally shoulder barged by another Ath forward, but his momentum and power saw his hapless opponent fly backwards through the air and bounce more than once on his very substantial rear end, very unceremoniously. The collision was greeted from a massive roar from the Buzzard contingent of supporters & players alike, reflecting Jacobs’ cult hero status within the squad.
Buzzards defence continued to stifle Ath's ambitions in the wide channels and they were forced to kick for field position. Kempster on at full back, was at full tilt as he went to gather the ball, when he inexplicably fell over in an extremely comical but unfortunate manner. Ath recovered well and squeezed over in the corner for an unconverted try 24-15. Kempo please give the Coco the clown his boot back!
Buzzards were in no mood to let Ath back into the game and Wood finished off a great passage of play, as he scored almost immediately from the restart. 29-15
A great game with two well matched sides, Buzzards had redressed the balance some what ,but should be asking themselves if they can be this dominant this time around with a deserved try count margin of 5 -2, why did they under perform 10 days ago?
Congratulations to Beds Ath worthy opponents and a great team, both on and off the pitch. Sunday 9th Wellingborough RFC East Midlands Colts 7’s New players of all abilities are very welcome.
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