Sat 14 Sep 2019, 15:00
Long Buckby v Northampton Casuals
Tries: Andy Oliver + Ollie Spokes
Pens: Dan McNally
Conversions Dan McNally x 2
On a hot day down Station Road, a large crowd gathered in anticipation to see the green army first game of the regular season. New coaches to the setup has brought a sense of expectation to the new campaign for 2019/2020.
Buckby started brightly with pace and purpose working the phases into the opposition 22. Casuals cleared through a box kick from their number 9 which was taken by Andy Oliver on the half way passing inside to Ed Sitch carrying the ball to line and releasing Doug Burrough on a good line breaking through the casual defence, he was brought down on the 22 not before offloading to the supporting Andy Oliver to run unopposed under the posts for the first try of the season. Dan McNally converted to make the score 7-0.
After a good initial exit from defence, Casuals found themselves with more possession of the ball and their wingers made ground down the pitch before good covering tackles from Jake Toesland and the back three. Some indiscipline around the ruck found Buckby pinned in their 22, defending an attacking lineout. Excellent work from the forward pack stopped the initial attack and new man James Ashwell put in some big hits to drive the Casual attack backwards, unfortunately a knock on and offside gave Casuals a kick in front of the posts 7-3.
On the quarter hour mark, Buckby showed their strength especially Ben Walton making the hard yards from the back of the scrum. The Buckby backline moved the ball through the hands to the wings which Casuals defended well, this would become a norm for the remained of the game. With the heavier pack, Casuals were winning the scrum and disrupting the Buckby lineout.
Without the platform Buckby found themselves defending for long periods and slight indiscipline would find them deep inside their 22. Tempers were starting to fray and their number 7 and Buckby’s Sam Dudgeon were given 10 minutes to cool down. Big hits from Nick Dixon helped turn over the ball but after a missed touch casuals countered and with Bucbky’s defence stretched they made yards toward the corner, scrambling defence brought the attack to halt just short of the try line. However Casuals got their first try when the 9 pick and placed the ball on the line which was converted 7-10.
The last 10 minutes of the first half saw some good tackling put in especially one from Ed Stitch and ground made by Nick Dixon down the right wing. Neither team looked like scoring and the half time whistle went for Buckby to re-group.
The second half kicked off and Bucbky were forced back into their 22 with a series of penalties. Once again the lineout defence was good but deemed to be brought down illegally. The Casuals used the penalty advantage until the 9 realised they were going nowhere. Stepping back into the pocket asked the referee for the penalty which the referee gave, took a quick tap scoring in the right corner, the try was converted 7-17.
Buckby gained some possession and a good clearing kick from Dan McNally found space in the bottom corner of the Buckby pitch. The resulting kick found Ben Walton and Ollie Spokes running back with purpose making good ground. On 55 minutes the game looked to be opening up in front of Buckby and with a 5 on 2 on the outside the referee blew the whistle for a scrap which was going on the phase before. Casuals 12 and Jo Ashwell were given 10 minutes. Dan Mcnally kicked the resulting penalty making it 10-17
By now all three finishers were on the pitch and on the hour Dan McNally missed his only kick where some of the Buckby faithfully thought a kick to the corner was on especially after getting on the front foot for the first time since the opening minutes. Casuals pick up a penalty to make the score 10-20 not long after. Buckby went chasing the game to get something out of it but on 78 minutes Casuals 12 broke the line though Buckbys midfield for the first time gaining momentum, a couple of tackles were judge as high and with the penalty advantage, Casuals made their way to the Buckby line but once again a big tackle from Doug Burroughs on his opposite man into touch stop the try or as the crowd thought. The tackle was judged as high with the winger ducking into the contact and the referee awarded a penalty try. Dave Allen was given a Yellow card so Buckby were down to 14 men for the third time in the game.
Credit to Buckby they played until the final whistle and the green army sent the supporters away happier with good work from the forwards finding Olly Spokes one on one with his opposite number showing him a clean pair of heels to go in untouched to score, converted by Dan McNally. Looking to get something out of the game Buckby played until a knock on brought he game to a close.
Final Score 17-27
