County Championship 2009
Kent v Bucks
2nd May 2009
Venue Sidcup RFC KO 3.00pm
Result Kent 30 Bucks 10
The first fixture of the 2009 season, saw Bucks again led by Rob Fenwick, who led the side successfully in their warm up match with Henley RFC. However due to 18 unavailability’s, due to illness, injuries and other commitments, the side to play Kent saw a number of changes. That said Bucks fielded a mixture of experience and youth, which saw players from clubs outside Bucks, but who had previously been at Bucks clubs.
The first twenty minutes saw Bucks press for the first score, spending a lot of time in the Kent 22. Without doubt the sheer physical size of the Bucks side did intimidate Kent. However it was Kent who scored first scoring 2 penalties.
Bucks discipline and ball retention were allowing Kent to take control over the game. A try a piece was scored, Bucks forwards pressing for the line and Ryan Long (previously of Drifters RFC) went over. Alex Cannon converted the try, along with a penalty, to keep Bucks in the game.
However at half time the Kent side led by 13-10.
Shortly after the break Kent kicked another penalty which saw them extend the lead to 16-10. With about 20 minutes to go it was all to play for, and strong breaks from Andre Botha, and Simon Cripps, however Bucks could not cross the line and score remained 16-10.
An horrendous mix up between touch judge and referee then allowed Kent to score. The ball was kicked out of play by Bucks, and Kent took a quick throw in that should not have been allowed, however despite the flag going up for a line out, which meant players waited for the referees decision, he decide d the ball had not gone out, in the confusion, Kent passed the ball wide and scored a try. Much to everyone’s amazement, however the try stood. 23-10.
In the last minute of the game, Mark Chase had a kick charged down on his 22, and then score finished 30-10.
The score line did not reflect the game, which Kent to their credit, did acknowledge.
This was a game that Bucks should have one, that said, work had to done to retain the ball, improve discipline (2 yellow cards) and work harder in the defensive line.
15. Andre Botha 14 Andy Turvey 13 Ed Keohane 12 Simon Cripps 11 Alex Cannon 10 Mark Chase
9 Paul Nash 1 Adam Kempsley 2 Paddy Stennings 3 Richie Hoskins 4 Adam Dempsey
5 Andy Milburn 6 Rob Fenwick (c) 7 Ryan Long 8 Alex Gallina 16 Jack Rider 17 Sam Ludgate
18 Jerry Hill 19 Max Williams 20 Grantham Abrahams 21 James Flischer 22 Sam Laird
Jon Taylor
Bucks Senior Coach
County Championship 2009
Sussex v Bucks
9th May 2009
Venue East Grinstead RFC KO 2.30pm
Result Sussex 23 Bucks 30
What a difference a week makes.
Three years ago almost to the day Bucks went down to Sussex 105 -0, and this year saw the Bucks team make 9 changes to the side that played Kent, some unforced but some forced.
The centre pairing of Henry Colver and Andy Wiliamson that we have been waiting to see was now in place, Jack Rider took the reins at 9 and Andy Turvey started at fullback. However after training on the Wednesday, 4 players were to become unavailable. The phone calling began and again players were happy to step up and be part of the Bucks squad, Chris Franks, Tom Jarvis, Pete Naylor Gary Horne and Nathan Brooks, back on the bench.
Preparation was far from perfect as the traffic into East Grinstead resembled the M25 on a bad day. We arrived with 50 minutes until kick off, when you bear in mind 7 players need at least 10 minutes with the physio, we were under the cosh.
Sussex were a big physical side, and from the kick off it was clear they were going to send everything at us, any kickable chance, they decided to scrum.......perhaps the wrong decision. The Bucks players kept their patience, discipline and defensive line and were rewarded with a penalty which was kicked by Henry Colver (0-3). Another penalty by Henry Colver took it to 0-6. However Sussex now valued penalties kicks and soon it was 6-6. On the stroke of half time a speculative kick by Sussex was collected b their 7 who sprinted under the posts.
Half time 13-6
Soon after the break Sussex kicked a further penalty acknowledging the closeness of the game (16-6) , then a break by Max Williams saw him score under the posts, which was converted by Henry Colver, (16-13).
Then came a period of play that saw Bucks score 17 unanswered points, a try from Adam Dempsey, and one from James Flischer, both converted by Colver, with an additional penalty from Colver, score line 30-16, with 7 minutes to play.
Sussex did manage a converted try from a well worked but poorly defended blind side scrum move, when the final whistle went, Bucks were able to celebrate a well deserved win, Sussex’s poor discipline however continued with their No:8 receiving a red card for abuse of the officials.
The whole Bucks squad were magnificent, real self belief and desire. Max Williams, Jack Rider were outstanding, and the forwards showed great togetherness in firstly taking on and then dominating a very sizeable opposition, led terrifically by Rob Fenwick.
15. Andy Turvey 14. Gary Horne 13. Andy Williamson 12. Henry Colver 11. Grantham Abrahams
10. Mark Chase 9. Jack Rider 1. Richard Hill 2. Matt Webster 3.Sam Ludgate 4. Adam Dempsey
5. Andy Milburn 6. Pete Naylor 7. Max Williams 8. Rob Fenwick(c)
16. Adam Kempsley 17.Richie Hoskins 18. Jerry Hill 19. James Flischer 20. Tom Jarvis
21. Nathan Brooks 22. Chris Franks
Jon Taylor
Buck Senior Coach
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