Buzzard 2nd XV 46 v 12 Olney 3rd XV
Another good win for Buzzard’s 2nd team but again the score doesn’t reflect how well the opposition, Olney played. This is the third time Buzzards played Olney 3rd team this season and it is the third time Buzzards were victorious.
Buzzards started well with some great attacking moves through the backs. Sam Beer playing at standoff wasn’t put off by their forwards targeting him, he seemed to relish the challenge barging them aside. Through the early exchanges, Buzzards attacked both wings and through the middle eventually breaking down Olney’s defence releasing the ever-present backrow Ross Bevan supported closely by scrum-half Leigh Draper to score in the bottom left-hand corner, the conversion was missed.
Eight minutes later it was Ashely Walsh’s turn to score on the opposite wing, again the conversion was missed. Buzzards came under a few minutes of sustain pressure for a short period but unluckily for Olney the move broke down, Alan Harbour retrieved the ball, and he ran the length of the pitch to score under the posts. This time Zammit converted the try and the score stood at 17-0 after just 18 minutes. At the restart, Buzzards switched off allowing Olney to gain some dominance and inevitably Olney scored under the posts with all their backs taking part in a well-worked try. Olney keep the pressure for the next 11 minutes but was unable to convert the pressure into points. Big Joe Baker produced one of the open field play kicks of the game when the 2nd row chipped the defence and whilst Olney recovered the defence broke down and Buzzards were awarded a scrum 5 metres out. Quick ball from the scrum and a long pass from Draper found Sam Beer who barged his way over the line to score close the posts. Zammit converted to bring the score to 24 – 7 and shortly after halftime was declared.
The start of the second was that clever, Buzzards made a mess of things failing to secure the ball giving Olney a gift of a try albeit wideout and unconvertable. Olney kept up the pressure but eventually spilt the ball that Mike Wears at fullback retrieved and put in the kick of the game from the 22-metre line which alighted just outside the Olney’s 22 with both Charlie Beaumont and Jacob Murtagh in hot pursuit. The bounce favoured Buzzards with the ball sitting up nicely for Jacob Murtagh to retrieve and score under the posts, Ollie Taylor converted. Buzzard seemed to be in control at risk of running loads more tries but stout defence by Olney kept buzzards away from the try line for another 10 minutes when Ollie Taylor slipped past the defence and scored wideout. He missed the conversion and the score stood 36-12. Whilst Olney was not making any more attacks their defence was solid making Buzzard’s work for the next two tries that came through the forwards launching driving waves of closing passing resulting in a try for Ryan Eaton. The final try came through the backs spinning the ball wide to the right-hand wing where a loitering prop, Olly Gronert was found and he galloped in from 25 metres to score under the posts. The final score was 46-12. A great contest.
Next week the 1st XV team are away to Thurrock and the 2nd XV at home to Northampton Old Scouts.
If you are interested in playing call in and see us, we are on Leighton Road, Stanbridge, LU7 9HR or https://www.buzzardrugby.co.uk/contact-us/