Bedford Swifts 2nds 7 – 38 Buzzard 2nds
Buzzard 2s spluttered into action at Swifts on Saturday afternoon. The valiant Buzzards took to the field and made slow progress with numerous handling errors. After 25 minutes things started to work for Buzzards, two travelling supporters found some kit, the side found some form and started putting together some good passages of play. Eventually, this allowed Ollie Gronert to free Reece Harris-Smith for a bullocking run down the right-wing knocking players into touch on his way to eventually score under the posts. Ben Johnson converted. Shortly afterwards Buzzards conceded a penalty try the reason for which remains unexplained!
Buzzards were now becoming ascendant running at Swifts from all angles making it difficult for their big pack to stay in contention. Buzzards latest player to the club Jordan Perry showing some lovely running and handling skills released Wayne Chapman for Buzzards second try wide out on the left-wing, Ben Johnson narrowly missing the conversion. Within in seconds of the restart, Buzzards sliced through the defence leading to Ross Bevan brushing off several tackles only to be help up 5 metres out but the close support of Owen Forsythe allowed Bevan to pop the ball up and for Forsythe to claim Buzzards third try which was converted by Johnson. At half-time the score 7 – 19.The second half started with Buzzards looking a more organised side than the first half although the full potential wasn’t allowed to flourish due to the plentiful stops in play; the heat was taking its toll on the Swifts players. A stolen line out on the halfway saw buzzards move the ball wide through the backs with a final darting run by Eddie Wiggins and an ‘out the back’ pass inside for Mike Wears to score out wide, again Ben Johnson converted, 7 – 26. Less than a minute later from a break in midfield by veteran Gary Low, taken on by Mike Robert to release young Jacob Murtagh to score under the posts or Buzzards fifth try again converted by Johnson, score 7 -33. With 20 minutes left to play another well-worked forwards and backs passage of play found Kristian Hastings lurching on the left-wing where he received a pass from Murtagh for Kristian to delivery Buzzards sixth try of the afternoon. The try was unconverted. Swifts were stubborn in their defence and there was no further score in the last 20 minutes.
Final score 7 – 38.