Sat 14 Dec 2019
Long Buckby v Market Bosworth
Following last week’s home win against Vipers, Buckby went into this game confident they could get a result against a team flying high and beating the top two teams in their previous two games. History was in Buckby’s favour as the visitors have never beating Buckby at Station Road.
Buckby would find themselves playing down the slope with the wind in the first half. The first couple of minutes would see Ryan Clarke finding a good touch deep in the Bosworth half. Bosworth found it hard to make the way out of there half, met with good tackling from David Wardle, Dan Taylor, Jake Toesland and Ed Sitch. Without been able to break the defence Bosworth kicked for territory, the kick caught in the wind and would give Andy Oliver the chance to run back at the Bosworth Defence, well hit and tackle back he would offload to the returning Andrew Frankland who would truck the ball up a further 10 meters. Quick hand would give an overlap to Harvey Draper looking to chip and chase over the full back but the ball went into touch. More time spent in the Bosworth half would give Ryan Clarke the chance to go for 3 points, a well judge kick using the wind to bend the ball over 3-0 (7mins).
Bosworth looked to start playing with the ball more in hand up the slope and into the wind making gradual gains. The looked to have an overlap down the blindside but Ryan Clarke stepped into the line to intercept the ball and look dead certain to score untouched. But with about 20 metres to go he started to look for support offloading to Josh Brown who was tackled over the try line but the referee adjudged the ball to be held up. Buckby would use the field advantage to launch their attacks finally working an overlap where Harvey Draper would step in between two defenders to score 8-0 (14 mins)
The likes of Fergus Murray, Timmy Dixon and Andrew Frankland were flying into the tackles chopping down any player running into their channel giving the likes of Jake Toesland the chance to snipe in and turn the ball over or slow it down. After 25 minutes Sam Evans came off for JP Watters after putting in a dynamic shift at loose head. Bosworth were looking to hit back and found themselves in the Buckby half for the first time with real purpose after 30 mins played, only to be called back for a forward pass. From the resulting scrum Sam Dudgeon looked to work the blindside making good yards into the Bosworth 22. Buckby would work across the pitch before losing the ball forward and Bosworth would have the feed about 10 metres out. The front 5 got to work and pushed the Bosworth players back over the ball and marched towards the try line, well controlled by Andrew Frankland at number 8 saw the line and dived on the ball. Unfortunately for Buckby it was the 5 metre line and although half the Bosworth backrow were not bound on, the Buckby number 8 good pinged for holding on. Buckby would have to start again from the Bosworth 10 metre line. Looking to run a set move the Bosworth defence were up quick putting pressure on Jake Toesland and forcing a turnover in the tackle. Looking to break they moved the ball looking to go wide Andy Oliver stepped in and intercepted the ball running one on one with the fullback stepped hard and rounded his opposite number to score near the posts. Ryan Clarke would kick the extra’s 15-0 (35 mins).
The remaining 5 minutes would see why Bosworth are flying high and beating the best teams in the league. They forced their way into the 22 and Buckby would need to step up their defensive effort. Once again Andrew Frankland, Fergus Murray and Joe Ashwell lead the defensive line the latter getting hands on the ball ripping it out of the Bosworth players hands only 5 meters from the line. He carried a further 5 before quick hand gave Buckby the chance to clear their lines and go into half time 15-0 up.
HT
The second half would see Buckby to continue to dominate the field positions although playing up the hill and into the wind. Bosworth would kick deeper into Buckby’s half but Andy Oliver fielded each one. Buckby found themselves in good area’s looking to put the game to bed but unforced errors would give Bosworth the ball back they looked to attack from everywhere. Bosworth took advantage of the wind and were able to get on the score sheet 15-3 (55mins).
Bosworth used the rolling maul well gaining momentum and moving forwards and looking to break but were well met with good tackling. A couple of penalties gave Bosworth excellent field positions looking to push over from 5 metre line well defended again and again tight to the rucks a good line from the centre was able to just about get the ball down before been hit back, unfortunately for Bucbky unlike Josh Browns chance in the first half the referee was on the spot to award the try 15-10 – (65 mins).
Buckby still fancied their chances to get more points and Harvey Draper would look to break down the left putting boot to ball and chasing his own kick, putting in a good tackle on the Bosworth second row but had to leave the field due to a head knock. Sam Dorans would come on bolster the Buckby defence. The next 10 minutes would see Bosworth throw everything at Buckby but never made it back into their 22. Buckby would then hold onto the ball for the last 5 minutes in tight before kicking the ball out to win a tight game 15-10.
FT
