LEIGHTON BUZZARD 46 – 20 RUSHDEN AND HIGHAM
Leighton Buzzard retained second place in the league with an ultimately convincing victory against Rushden and Higham. Whilst Buzzards scored eight tries, this was not their finest performance. Apparent lapses in concentration led to handling errors and poor choices, at times frustrating their supporters. Ultimately, Buzzards had too much pace and skill for a resolute opponent. Tom Maynard, playing out of position on the wing, had a match to remember, scoring four tries.
Rushden kicked off uphill, but with the slight benefit of a gentle breeze. Immediately Buzzards camped in the visitors’ territory but it took ten minutes to open the scoring. A quickly taken penalty by Jacob Murtagh resulted in James Brett being stopped just short but the ball was recycled for Ollie Garbett to drive over. The conversion was missed leaving Buzzards 5-0 ahead.
Seven minutes later, Leighton added a second try. Ash Walsh broke from deep in his own half and was finally tackled just short of the line. The ball was recycled for Raef Braithwaite to touch down in the corner, extending the lead to 10-0. Leighton were now dominating possession with their line functioning well. When the visitors had possession, they were using their big straight-running forwards but without threatening the Leighton line.
Midway through the half, Buzzards added a third try. Once again Ash Walsh, who was rampaging in the loose, made the initial break giving Tom Maynard the opportunity to touch down in the corner, putting Buzzards 15-0 ahead. Following this score, Leighton seemed to lose focus with handling errors stifling momentum and phase play.
Towards the end of the half, Rushden and Higham enjoyed their best period of play and after thirty-five minutes came close to scoring. Whilst the Buzzard defence held firm initially, a slick handling move in the visitors backs again threatened the Leighton line and gave the opportunity to crash over. With the conversion the home lead was cut to 15-7. However, the visitors hopes of a comeback were short lived – Tom Maynard collected the ball straight from the kickoff and made good ground into the visitors twenty-two. After a number of phases, Jacob Murtagh spotted space out wide and put in a pinpoint kick for Tom Maynard to touch down for his second try. Once again the conversion was missed leaving Buzzards 20-7 ahead at half time.
With the teams playing in similar kits, Buzzards choose to change into their red kit for the second half. Leighton started the half slowly and were not helped by conceding too many penalties, one of which was kicked by Rushden and Higham to cut the lead to 20-10. Once again after conceding, Buzzards upped their game as their focus returned, scoring two tries in three minutes, both touched down by Tom Maynard. Both came following good handling moves, the first with a long pass from Ollie Taylor and the second following a clever kick ahead. Jack Cullen, who had now taken over the kicking duties, converted the second of these tries to put Buzzards 32-10 ahead. Midway through the half, Rushden cut the lead with a further penalty but shortly after Sam Dove added a further try, which, with another Jack Cullen conversion extended the lead to 39- 13.
Although the final outcome was now not in doubt, the visitors enjoyed another long period of pressure and with ten minutes left scored in the corner. The touchline conversion made the score 39-20. Leighton had the final word – another good move through many hands put Julian Gallie in space to score behind the posts, which, with Jack Cullen’s conversion made the final score 46-20.
Next Saturday, Buzzards travel to Cambridgeshire-based St. Ives.