uckinghamshire vs Oxfordshire (Development squads)
March 25th 2007, Shiplake College
Warm sunshine and firm ground; a big turnaround from four weeks earlier in the deep mud at Aylesbury. .Shiplake College provided a splendid backdrop for the third (and final?) fixture of the season.
Bucks kicked off and countered the strong Oxon ruck and maul game with excellent tackling and turnovers in the centres, particularly from Mark Tarrant. Oxon’s repeated kicks for touch enabled Bucks to retake possession, winning a lot of ball at the front of the line out. Powerful breaks from Chris Clarke exerted mounting pressure on the Oxon line, and it was not long before Connor Jordan found space and was able to cross the line in the left corner. Conversion missed, 5-0.
Bucks immediately put the pressure back on after the restart, with Stuart Bullimore deemed held up over the line 5 minutes later. Bucks remained encamped in the opposition 22 for the next 10 minutes, twice deciding to run kickable penalties, before Connor Jordan cut in from the left wing, broke through two defenders, and crossed the line again. James Hackney successfully converted, 12-0.
The whistle blew for half-time, a half in which Bucks had dominated both territory and possession. Oxon had only made it into the Bucks 22 on one occasion.
Oxon made some significant substitutions at half time, bringing on two (A-team?) forwards. The strengthened Oxon scrum exerted themselves effectively, and Bucks found themselves encamped in their own 22 for the first 10 minutes of the second half. Oxon ran four consecutive and kickable penalties, but strong Bucks defense held them back with nothing to show.
James Nicholls at full-back took some excellent high kicks, and returned them effectively. With penetrating runs from Ross Wilson on the right wing, Bucks soon re-established themselves in Oxon territory. Wilson broke through the Oxon line with a powerful run through midfield, and was one off-load short of a further Bucks try.
Bucks continued to counter the Oxon attacks, with further excellent tackling and turn-overs from Mark Tarrant. Charlie Esden was deemed help up following a scramble for the line behind effective rucking from Bucks forwards.
With ten minutes left, Esden, as replacement scrum half, broke quickly on the blind side from a Bucks maul. With three on two, the Oxon defense drifted; he dummied the Oxon flyhalf and went in over the line himself to make a good score. Successful conversion, and final score19-0.
An excellent all round performance again, and a comfortable victory against a successful Oxon side who were looking to retain their unbeaten record.
Man-of-the-match for outstanding defense and great turn-over ball in midfield: Mark Tarrant.
Buckinghamshire vs Oxfordshire (“A” team)
March 25th 2007, Shiplake College
Warm sunshine and firm ground; a big turnaround from four weeks earlier in the deep mud at Aylesbury. .Shiplake College provided a splendid backdrop for the third (and final?) fixture of the season. (where did you read that before…?)
From the Oxon kick-off, Bucks immediately came under pressure as Oxon dominated early ruck and maul possession, and seemed to win most of the 50:50 ball. Aggressive defense from Bucks midfield prevented Oxon from crossing their game line. Within ten minutes, the Bucks pack realised that they could match or beat their Oxon counterparts; Tom Carroll took the game to the opposition, and the other Bucks forwards followed suit. By half way through the first half it had become clear that the Bucks pack was dominating loose play, as they did throughout the rest of the match.
Set pieces however were under pressure, particularly line outs which Oxon dominated with a tall 8 with good jump and good hands. Bucks were unable to respond, with little variation in their own line out ball.
But Oxon were unable to put this possession to good use, and increasingly found themselves running across the pitch in the face of the aggressive and vocal Bucks defense. The Oxon game shifted, as both their half backs began to kick away the possession they got from the set pieces. Quigley at full back was calm and effective under the high ball, with penetrating runs deep into the Oxon half.
In contrast, Bucks ball was put to good effect: straight lines of running with good support play and inter-passing.
As the first half progressed, the Bucks dominance became increasingly clear; the referee’s whistle blew to Oxon relief, following five minutes pressure on the Oxon line. Score at half-time 0-0, but by now no-one expected a re-run of the Bedfordshire result.
The second half began in the same fashion that the first half finished: turn-over ball immediately from the maul following kick-off, deep in Oxon territory. Within five minutes from half-time, Jack Benson broke from a maul on the Oxon 22, and dispatched the ball to Michael McGirr who had space and support to cross the Oxon line in the left corner for the first Bucks score.
The Bucks back row continued to attack the poorly protected fringes of the rucks and mauls, drawing in the Oxon defense, and creating great attacking space out wide for Bucks backs.
Frazer Hegarty was particularly prominent around the field, especially killing loose ball. Oxon were unable to respond to the pressure in the rucks and mauls, and were penalised several times for coming in at the side.
The Bucks set-pieces also re-established themselves, with good line-out ball from James Dobree Carey Tom Carroll, stacked at the back of the line. With good quality ball, the Bucks back line became more adventurous, making good ground with effective handling and running moves. Quickly recycled ball from one such move put Zack Theodore into space on the right, and he went over to score. Charlie Quigley converted from distance.
As time began to rum out for Oxon, they tried to salvage the game by running from everywhere, but into consistently solid defense, leading to counter attacking.
All in all a great game and one everyone can be proud of. Final score: 12-0 to Bucks.
Man-of-the-match for powerful attacking play, dominating rucks and mauls: Tom Carroll.
U14s Match squads for Sunday 25th March
You will see that there are some further changes from last time, as we continue to develop our thinking, and are keen to trial certain players in certain positions between the two sides.
These will also be the squads for training this Friday 23rd at Aylesbury 6.30pm -8.30pm. As always, let me know asap if you cannot make either Friday or Sunday (if you have not already done so).
Rob
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A Squad
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15
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Charlie Quigley
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14
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Joe Stevens
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13
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Tom Jervis
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12
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Steve Wiggill
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11
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Zack Theodore
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10
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Sam Dickson
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9
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Scott Robinson
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1
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Alex Dark
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2
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Aaron Farnborough
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3
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Richard Edwards
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4
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James Dobree-Carey (captain)
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5
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Tomas Carroll
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6
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Frazer Hegarty
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7
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Jack Benson
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8
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Michael McGirr
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Subs
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16
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Ben Symington (1)
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17
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Matthew Major (2)
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18
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Tom Riley (4,5,8)
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19
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Cameron Denton (6,7)
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20
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George Wilcox (9)
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21
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Jack Whitehouse (12,13)
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22
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Connor Jordan (11, 14)
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Development Squad
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15
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James Nicholls
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14
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William Feast
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13
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James Blackham
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12
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Mark Tarrant
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11
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Ross Wilson
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10
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James Hackney
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9
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Matt Labron
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1
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Tawanda Bwerudza
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2
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Nic Chamberlain
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3
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William Fawcett-Hirst
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4
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Jonathan Liddell
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5
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Callum Tilbury
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6
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Luke Martin (captain)
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7
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Stuart Bullimore
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8
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Chris Clarke
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Subs
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16
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Richard Hampton (1,3)
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17
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Claude Taylor (4,5,8)
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18
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Conran Wheels (6,7,2)
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19
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Charlie Esden (9)
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20
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Jack McNally (12,13)
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21
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Tom Willingham (11,14,15)
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ABSENT / INJURED
David Jones
Chris Gann
Sam Osborn
Chris Delaney
Total Squad = 47
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County Match Reports
Buckinghamshire vs Bedfordshire - U14A
25th February 2006
Although the rain held off, the muddy pitch had altogether other ideas and, from the first whistle, ensured that all 30 boys on the pitch, as well as the referee, had their work cut out.
The first 15 minutes appeared evenly matched as each team pushed to break past the opposition 25 yard line, with the Bucks scrum showing a better structure and winning some good loose ball but invariably giving away hard won possession at the vital stage. Unfortunate handling of the slippery ball almost proved Bucks’ undoing on several occasions and gradually Bedfordshire started to assert their control, using the lofted high ball to advantage. Fortunately for Bucks their full back, Quigley, was up to the task of gathering in the ball and bringing it to the security of his forward pack.
20 minutes into the first half Quigley chased down a dangerous deep up & under and, from inside his 25, he then sprinted past the marauding Beds backs to feed Wilson out on the wing. Wilson in turn made a good run up the right side of the field to bring play back well into the Beds half, the first time that Bucks had penetrated this far. Regrettably we were unable to capitalise and were again soon on the defensive. Despite a series of penalties being awarded to Bucks for loose infringements (to be a feature of the game), followed by some sustained ball possession, we failed to gain significant advantage and with the exception of one charge down by the backs, did not look threatening for the balance of the first half.
The second half started with a series of scrum feed problems being picked up by the ref, with the result that possession stats again favoured the Bedfordshire pack. Some deep and dangerous incursions by the Beds back line, who kept the ball in hand, were again only stopped by desperate defensive work by Quigley and Wiggill, a reliable combination!
Bedfordshire initiated the first series of substitutions before Tarrant and Theodore ran on to replace Whitehouse and Wilson for Bucks. There then followed a good period of close play with good ball retention by Bucks illustrating that the pack and line could work well, despite the conditions and lack of game practice.
As the game ground to a close Bedfordshire made a last gasp drive for the Bucks line. An overlap of strong runners bearing down on the Bucks try line was thwarted by some desperate back line tackles and a very fortunate whistle, blown as the Beds dive for the line was stopped centimetres short of a score.
The no scoring game was a tough one – Bucks had a good deal of possession and the forwards, who at times showed their class by holding the Beds pack in both the set and loose pieces for long periods of play, were often trudging backwards after possession turnovers and the penetrating kicks made by the Beds fly half and full back. The Bucks team showed their potential by holding on with determination and grit
Aylesbury Club served up a good lunch which the boys tucked into with gusto. Thanks to the club for hosting the afternoon’s games.
Buckinghamshire vs Bedfordshire - U14B
In very wet and muddy conditions at Aylesbury RFC, the Buckinghamshire (Bucks) U14 Development Team meet their counterparts from Bedfordshire (Beds). With intermittent showers and a very heavy field, good handling and running is going to be very difficult.
The Beds kick-off is taken by Bucks but the ball is knocked on as Bucks try to move it through the centres. From the resulting scrum Beds move the ball but are halted by good Bucks tackling. This is spoilt by Bucks going in the side to give away a penalty. Beds tap and go but Bucks close them down and turn over the ball. The Bucks scrum half George Wilcox makes a good break with good support from left wing Joe Stevens and then No. 8 Chris Clarke, all making good ground. Bucks win the next phase and move the ball through the hands to right wing William Feast just over half-way. Feast beats the Beds defence on the outside going over near the corner, but continues his run to touch down right under the posts, giving fly half Matt Lebron an easy conversion. 7-0 To Bucks after 10 minutes.
Bucks mishandle the kickoff but manage a heal against the head from the resulting scrum. Lebron clears to touch. Beds win a penalty at the line out and kick to touch. Beds win the lineout on the Bucks 22 and put a neat kick into the corner but the Beds wing is too quick and is caught offside. Bucks kick to touch, win the line out and again kick to touch. Bucks knock on at the next lineout, midway between the Bucks 22 and 10m line. Bucks again get a tight-head and clear to near half-way. Another Bucks knock-on in the lineout gives Beds another put in to the scrum. This time they win their own ball and the fly-half kicks up and under to the Bucks full back James Nicholls. Good handling between Nicholls, Wilcox and Stevens allows Bucks to make ground. Bucks win the ruck and flanker Stuart Bullimore carries the ball well. The Bucks forwards pile in and drive Beds backwards, eventually going over, but the ball is held-up. Bucks win the scrum and move the ball. The ball is mishandled and Beds manage to hack clear. Bucks cover the ball but give away a penalty in the ruck. Beds clear the ball to halfway for a line-out. Bucks win the line-out and kick for position. Beds take the ball and return kick. Stevens catches and Bucks move forward with great handling from Nicholls, centre Jack McNally, second row Jonathan Liddel, and No.8 Clarke all being involved. The move eventually breaks down with a knock-on but Bucks have moved the ball from their own half to inside the Beds 22, great handling given the conditions. Beds clear to their 10m line following the scrum. The ball is not in straight at the line out and Beds again kick. The ball is caught by Feast who returns with power. Support is provided by Stevens and Bullimore. Beds manage to turn over the ruck and again kick. Stevens covers the ball and Beds give away a penalty by not allowing him to regain his feet. Wilcox takes a quick tap and go and Beds give away another penalty, for not retreating 10. Bucks now try a set move from the penalty. With a number of dummy runs Wilcox passes to lock Callum Tilbury. The ball is moved by Bullimore to right wing Feast. The ball is eventually forced out inside the Beds 22 for a line out, which Bucks win. Bucks drive strongly with their forwards but eventually knock-on. However Beds were offside giving Bucks a penalty. Wilcox taps and goes again. Neither side can win the ruck but Bucks get the put-in for moving forwards. The scrum is about 5m from the Beds line. Bucks win and move the ball. They try a skip pass but Beds force a knock-on with strong tackling. Beds win the scrum and then a penalty. They drive the ball towards halfway and win another scrum. Beds again kick following the scrum and the ball is again fielded well by Stevens. Bucks drive the ball back into the Beds half where the referee blows for halftime at the next breakdown. 7-0 to Bucks at the half.
Beds move the ball down the line from the kick-off but knock-on. Feast picks up and returns the ball. The ball is turned over by Beds at the breakdown and put out for a Bucks lineout. Wilcox and then flanker Martin drive the ball up. The ball is moved out to Feast and then to Nicholls supporting well. Nicholls makes a strong run but Beds manage another turnover at the breakdown. Beds are awarded a scrum on their own 22 from which the clearance kick reaches touch. Another Bucks knock-on at the lineout allows Beds to clear further downfield from the scrum. A further knock-on gives Beds another scrum. Bucks get another tight-head which is picked up by Clarke. The ball is moved well between Clarke, Wilcox and Stevens. The referee blows for a scrum and awards Bucks the put-in. Bucks make their first substitutions, Richard Hampton coming into the front-row and Nic Chamberlain into the centre. Beds win the scrum and kick to touch for a line-out. Beds win a penalty and decide to move the ball through their backs. The Bucks centres Tom Jervis and Chamberlain are up very quickly and pressurise the Beds backs into mistakes. Chamberlain wins the ball in the maul and goes over for Bucks second try. The conversion just misses the right hand post. 12-0 to Bucks.
Beds win the kick-off and try a back move which is snuffed out by a great tackle from Wilcox. The ball goes out for a line-out which is won by Beds but they soon knock-on. Bucks win the scrum and the ball is quickly moved by Wilcox and Lebron to Jervis. Jervis moves the ball on Chamberlain. The Bucks forwards drive in behind the centre and Bucks make good ground. Clarke, Bullimore and Chamberlain all carry the ball forwards well. Bucks kick and put Beds under great pressure. The ball is turned over by Bucks but a knock-on means they can’t capitalise on the pressure. Beds win the scrum and kick to clear. Nicholls takes the ball and surges forward supported by Feast but the move again breaks down with a Bucks knock on. Beds win the scrum but Wilcox gets to the Beds fly-half before he can clear. Beds manage to recover and Bucks give away a penalty at the breakdown. Beds try to move the ball again but Chamberlain puts in a strong tackle and Bucks are awarded a penalty as Beds try to recover the ball. Wilcox taps and goes passing to Clarke. Lebron and Chamberlain support. The forwards ruck strongly and win the ball. Quick passing from Wilcox to Nicholls to Feast gives the right wing his second try. The conversion hits the post and fails to go over. 17-0 to Bucks.
The kick-off is fielded by Feast who kicks downfield. Beds recover but cannot move the ball. However Bucks knock-on in the breakdown giving Beds the put in. Another Bucks tight-head is picked up by Clarke, and Bucks drive strongly. Beds recover and are awarded another penalty which they try to move. Liddell puts in a big tackle and turns over the ball. Bucks pick up and drive. Good handling between Wilcox, Lebron and Jarvis gain good ground. Bucks drive and then kick forward, but Beds manage to clear their lines to touch. Beds win the line-out and clear further downfield. Bucks win the ball and again move downfield with good play by the forwards, eventually forcing Beds to clear the ball over their own dead ball line. Bucks win the 5m scrum, Clarke picking up and driving down the blind-side. However the ball is held up so another 5m scrum is awarded. Bucks again win the ball, Clarke picks up, but this time he goes to the open-side and gets over for Bucks fourth try. The conversion doesn’t go over so 22-0 to Bucks.
Hampton fields the kick-off and makes good ground with support from Clarke and Tilbury. The ruck is won and the ball moved from Lebron to Jervis. Another ruck results in a knock on and scrum. Beds kick to clear their lines. Nicholls fields and drives forward but Bucks cannot get the ball back from the ruck. The referee blows for full time with Bucks comfortable winners 22-0.
The Bucks forwards clearly had the edge over their Beds counterparts, winning numerous scrums against the head. The driving play was generally good although the control at the rucks and mauls was sometimes lacking and the line-outs a bit of a lottery. The backs defence was excellent with the Beds backs never able to get over the advantage line and the centres forcing turnovers later on. The wings and full-back all had excellent games with every high ball caught and returned well and many other good runs.
All in all an excellent all around performance given such difficult conditions.
COUNTY MATCH U14’s BUCKINGHAMSHIRE v BERKSHIRE
28th January 2007 at Marlow RUFC K.O. 2.00pm
“A” Team Match
Playing with a slight breeze, Bucks received the kick off which was allowed to bounce thus putting them under immediate pressure. This was dealt with well by the forwards clearing up loose ball but too many errors from both sides led to a see saw of possession for the first ten minutes before Bucks moved into Berkshire’s half for the first time. On fifteen minutes Bucks won a good lineout to form a maul which was wrapped up by Berks. The resulting scrum was won by Bucks on the right flank on 22m. Good clean ball allowed a set move to develop with fly half Dickson looping with inside centre Wiggill and when Whitehouse deceived the defence with a dummy run, Dickson shipped the ball to full back Quigley for winger Theodore to out pace his marker and score in the left corner after 16 minutes. Conversion missed (5 – 0). This was probably the best move of the game from both sides.
What happened next was bizarre and against the run of play. From the kick off Berks were up quick to wrap up any attacks but knocked on to give a Bucks scrum. Although Bucks scrum half was being held by the Berks flanker on the blind side he was penalised for not putting the ball in. The free kick was quickly taken and seemed to unnerve Bucks whilst giving impetus to Berks. After a line out Bucks were penalised for another infringement followed by another free kick at a scrum. This was taken quickly from close range for an unconverted try levelling the score to 5 – 5 with 24minutes played.
Bucks composed themselves and immediately put the pressure on again winning their own line out on 10m. Using the backs well Bucks attacked down the right flank through no. 8 McGirr, gaining territory but not penetrating the defence and thus being forced back across to the left where a kick put the Berks full back under pressure. His poor kick out was picked up by the Bucks centre who was then tackled but an offside player at the ensuing ruck led to a penalty for Quigley to convert just before half time making it 8 – 5 to Bucks.
HALF TIME
The second half saw a surge of pressure from Berks and with an ever increasing wind behind them their kicking game began to put Bucks on the back foot. The Bucks forwards seemed to lose cohesion whilst Berks gained momentum and were hard and fast to break down ball. The Bucks front row appeared to be in difficulty which Berkshire tried to capitalise on when they took the scrum option from a penalty 8m from the Bucks try line. However, Bucks won against the head but were judged offside from the defensive kick resulting in a 5m scrum under the posts. Again Bucks dug deep and forced Berks to ship the ball to their backs who attacked quickly but were thwarted with a try saving tackle from Wiggill. More pressure absorbed Bucks were in retreat and close to the posts when they infringed at a ruck leading to another penalty. This was taken quickly from a 5m range and saw Berks almost walk in another try, similar to their first, which was converted for 8 –12 after 37minutes.
The next ten minutes was 50/50 possession but with Berks having the edge on territory. Mistakes on both sides led to draining scrummaging with Berks getting the early shove on and using the boot to push Bucks onto the back foot. On 47 minutes Dickson made a solo run from deep in his 22 and reached half way with good support but as the move broke down an injury to a Berks player stopped play for several minutes. The resulting scrum was lost and Berks pumped the ball to touch about 30m out. Berks No.8 crashed through from the line out and on the charge gained ground to within 8m of the Bucks try line on the Berks right. Bucks managed to turn over the ball but missed touch with the defensive kick which Berks backs ran back with pace. A wonderful mid field tackle by Blackham was not enough to stop the attack but Stevens was on hand to floor the winger into touch and stop a possible try. Line out not straight led to a Berks scrum which Bucks won against the head but the Berks flanker reeled in the scrum half, turned over possession and drove through to score a converted try for an 8 – 19 lead on 54minutes.
Bucks again pushed forward to try to narrow the gap and with a move between 10 & 12 moved the ball to the right forcing Berks to defend hard in the corner. Berks ushered Bucks back across the pitch 5m out with a maul under the posts but Bucks were unable to set the ball. Eventually turn over ball led to a kick into the Bucks 22 and the attack was over. In desperation Bucks tried to run the ball out of their own 22 but found no exits. Having managed to win a scrum a miss communication at 9/10 was all that a buoyant Berks needed to snaffle the ball and score the final unconverted try to win 8 – 24.
A well contested match and probably the better team won although the score line perhaps not truly reflective of the effort put in by Bucks.
“B” Team Match
The game began with pressure all the way from the first minute with a short high kick off which allowed the Bucks squad to move straight into the Berks side where they stayed for the first ten minutes. The forwards made big impacts against the Berks pack and kept the ball in circulation with repeated breaks and confident passing but Berkshire recovered quickly and kept a solid defensive line. At around 11 minutes a rare turnover gave possession to Berks and the ball was kicked deep into the Bucks half behind their defensive line. A chase ensued from the Berks centres but they were beaten to it by the Bucks full back who cleared to touch at the Bucks 22.
Another penalty let Berks bring the ball back to the Bucks 22 a few minutes later but the lineout was won by Bucks and kicked up and cross field into the Beds half yet again.
With the constant attacks on the Berkshire defence something had to give, and a slow delivery from a Berks scrum let the Bucks scrum half push the Berks fly half back into their in goal area where the ball was forced down in Berks hands for a 5 yard scrum. The Bucks forwards pressed hard, won the scrum and on the third pass the ball was carried over for the first try by the Bucks number 4, John Liddel.
The conversion drifted across the front of the goal, just missing and leaving the opening score at 5 – 0 in the 23rd minute.
After the restart another penalty to Bucks saw the ball moved quickly across the pitch and into the Berks half yet again. A stolen line out and a very quick delivery to the Bucks centres nearly resulted in more damage but an unlucky mid air take let Berkshire off and the ball was kicked downfield as the half time whistle blew.
The second half was similar to the first, both teams quite well matched but a few minutes scrappy midfield play saw a grubber kick from Berks open up a potential space but once again the Bucks full back collected and cleared into the Berkshire half. Berkshire had marginally more possession in the second half but still the Bucks pressed forwards and on two occasions came to within five yards of the Berks try line.
A free kick awarded to Berkshire brought them inside the Bucks half and on a retaken scrum the Berks pack won, the ball delivered and kicked to within 5 yards of the Bucks line, caught and carried across for a Berks try only 2 minutes before the end of the game. The try was converted and Berkshire moved into the lead to finish 5 – 7.
A cruel last minute score for Bucks but a dominant performance throughout.
County Fixtures
Sun 28th Jan Match A+B teams v Berks Home (Marlow) K.O. 2.00pm
Sun 25th Feb Match A+B teams v Beds Home (Aylesbury) K.O. 2.30pm
Sun 25th March Match A+B teams v Oxon Away (Chinnor? tbc) K.O. 2.00pm (tbc)
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