Buckingham 1XV - Bracknell 1XV Match Report

A Very Windy Day Away at Buckingham

Buckingham 19 Bracknell 41

Reporter Gary Miles

A very windy day with overcast skies greeted us on arrival at Buckingham’s ground. Talking to the coaching staff it had been agreed if we won the toss, we would go up hill into the wind in the first half, your writer was surprised to find we lost the toss but still ended up with what we wanted.

Bracknell kicked off into the wind, the kick going 10 metres due to the wind, Buckingham gained procession and worked they’re into Bracknell’s 22 where a penalty was conceded, the resulting kick was successful, 3-0 to the home side in the early minutes of the game.
Due to the conditions, there was much broken play whenever a kick was made the wind took over, penalties not making touch when they normally would.

Bracknell turned over the home sides procession after a few rucks the ball was spun out to Burch who had an easy run before offloading to Bayliss to score, the conversion was successful, score 3-7

Following the restart, a break by Bracknell ended in Burch being able to run in unopposed on 17 minutes, the conversion missed score 3-12.
The restart ended with a line out to the home side, some good defence by Bracknell but a penalty was given and from the resulting line out and maul Buckingham scored in the corner, conversion missed, score 8-12.

There was some stoppage time at this point, once the game recommenced a number of penalties were given away by both sides. A penalty to Buckingham hit the post and was recovered by Bracknell. Bracknell were on the attack and after a few phases a home side turnover resulted in a huge kick and the defence gave up a penalty in the scramble back to defend. As the penalty was taken the wind dropped and the home side scored to make it 11-12, the half time whistle went soon after.

Half time 11-12

With Bracknell attacking downhill with the wind the second half was to prove much more productive for Bracknell. The home side kicked off the second half, the kick was taken by Bracknell but the clearance was charged down, the home side turned the ball over and were then awarded a penalty, the successful kick putting them ahead for the first and only time in the match 14-12.
It was nearly all Bracknell from this point and they hit back immediately and after good work by the forwards Tom Field scored, the conversion successful making the score 14-19.

The bonus point try came five minutes later and with Bracknell gaining momentum another try came from more good forward play gave Bradley Walters ability to make the score 14-24, at this point the wind was getting even stronger and the conversion was missed.
Despite Bracknell getting more of a foothold in the match, the home side made a couple of visits to our 22 and looked dangerous when they were there. A penalty led to a line out and an unconverted try was scored in the corner, 19-24.

Five minutes later Bracknell hit back, making use of the wind a Bracknell penalty and a line out near the opposition’s try line ended in a try being scored in the bottom corner after a duo of mauls 19-29 Try scorer Ken Hodgson

Minutes later a penalty to Bracknell and another break, our no 8 ken Hodgson, despite a high tackle, his strength in breaking away resulted in another try for the away side, conversion missed, score 19-34.

On the restart Buckingham made some ground, but a turnover in our 22 resulted in a massive wind assisted kick that ran out of play beyond the try line, the play being brought back to our 22. The home side were in our 22 for fully five minutes but could not capitalise on their procession. A home side scrum was pushed back and the resulting turnover ended with a great kick to their 22, Bracknell won a maul but were held up. The resulting scrum was reset twice, first from being wheeled.

The resulting reset scrum ended with the best and last try of the match, passed down the line to Andy Slade to score his second of the match. The conversion being successful took the final score to 19-41.

Bracknell did well to turnaround at half time in the lead and making the best of the conditions in the second half ran out worthy winners.