Sat 21 Sep 2019, 15:00
Intermediate Cup
Indian summer weather once again saw Buckby playing with the sun on their backs. Perfect weather to throw the ball about and get their backs into the game. Unfortunately an early wide pass didn’t quite go to hand and Stratford’s number 8 intercepted the ball in the midfield, fending off a couple of players before powering over the line for the first score 5-0.
Lines outs and Scrums were working well and provided a good platform for hard running lines from Jake Toesland, Fergus Murrey and Ben Walton early in the game. After the initial disappointment of the early score the game was been played a lot in the midfield with big hits going in from both teams. Tim Dixon got right in the rib cages of the Stratford's forward runners and driving them back time after time. Stratford ran a set move and found their 13 running back on the angle through a gap in the Buckby midfield, after scrambling defence and with Buckby on the back foot Stratford got their second 12-0.
Stratford tried a box kick over the top looking to expose space behind the Buckby defence but their 7 found himself in an offside position giving Toby Hutt the opportunity to kick to the corners to give Buckby field position. The lineout was looking good and after a clean take the forwards made a good 15 metres into Stratfords 22, a penalty was awarded 10 meters out and with the scrum also firing, Captain Jake Toesland called for the scrum. Ben Walton picked from 8 and powered over to get Buckby on the score sheet, 12-5.
Buckby looked like they had finally turned up only to fall back to their olds ways and give away easy penalties finding themselves deep in their own 22. The referee deemed Toby Hutt to have made a late tackle on Stratford’s 9 and he was sent to the sin bin for 10 minutes. Stratford kicked for the corner and from the resulting line out Stratford number 8 got his second 19-5.
Long Buckby finished the half on a high, they kept ball in hand as much as possible while down to 14 men probing the Stratford defence. They gained yards here and there unfortunately losing Fergus Murrey with a little scratch after a clash of heads, 8 stiches later he will be fine. Buckby found themselves in the opponents 22 once again after sustained pressure working both sides of the field Sam Dudgeon found Ben Walton down the blindside following him round and getting the inside pass to run in unopposed 19-10.
Half Time
The second half found Buckby frustrated by the organised Stratford defence. Sam Evans and JP Watters found themselves with ball in hand more often gaining yards around the fringes. Just as things started to open up for Buckby, accuracy alluded them and the ball was not quite going to hand giving scrum advantage to Stratford. From one of these scrums Stratford used the grubber kick which bounced up perfectly for their 13 to run through dummying the 2 on 1 with the winger to score under the posts 26-10.
From this point onward it was all Long Buckby looking to get back into the game. There was huge sustained pressure in the Stratford 22 with carries from almost every Buckby player on the pitch. The Buckby scrum was moving forwards and the Stratford defence was narrow. Sam Evans had to step up to prop after injuries and made a huge impact. Buckby won 3 or 4 penalties on Stratford 5 metres and the travelling faithful thought a penalty try should have been awarded, instead Stratford got the final decision and had the chance to clear their lines.
Buckby came straight back and would play the reminder of the game in the opposition 22, Ben Walton and Andy Oliver found half gaps which closed quickly but gave Buckby front foot ball. Joe Ashwell and Fred Saunders worked tirelessly from ruck to ruck as Buckby edged closer. Buckby were held up over the line on two occasions and from penalty advantages Buckby threw the ball from side to side but couldn’t break the Stratford defence in the second half. The final play of the game was 3 consecutive penalty advantages on the 5 metre line in the corner before a knock on brought the game to a close.
Final Score 26-10
Tries: Ben Walton + Sam Dudgeon
MOTM: Sam Evans
