Buzzards off to a Sticky Start

Having spent the last two seasons playing teams in the South West region, for the 2016/17 season Leighton Buzzard RFC are back in familiar territory in Midlands East 1. Hopes for a decent start to the season were high as The Buzzards travelled to newly promoted Melton Mowbray RFC for the opener.

However, a much depleted away side were second best in every facet of the game, particularly at the set pieces. From the very first scrummage The Buzzards found themselves retreating at a rate of knots. This set the trend for the match. Playing with the slope and the wind, Melton Mowbray opened the scoring with a try on six minutes. Leighton defended stoutly, restricting the home side to only three more tries before half time, leaving the interval score 24 -0 to the hosts.

The Buzzards turned round hoping that, with the elements in their favour, they could eat into the deficit. However, Melton scored two further tries before Wills Messum crossed from a well worked line out routine.

The game continued with Leighton on the back foot, the Back Row of Jordan Cummins, Chris Rowe and Wills Messum defending manfully, preventing any further damage. At the final whistle the home side ran out worthy winners by 36 – 5.

The Buzzards will hope that with returning troops bringing the team back to full strength, a better performance can be expected when they face Newbold-on-Avon RFC at Wrights Meadow next Saturday (10^th September – Kick Off – 3.00pm).