Buckingham 45 vs Bicester 3

Bicester Match Report

Following a convincing victory against Aylesbury on their last outing , Buckingham came into another local derby full of confidence but wary of a Bicester side looking to expunge their early season muttering start seeking to reinvigorate their season against old local rivals.
In blustery and wet conditions, it was Buckingham who suffered the loss of Stuart Tomlinson before a ball had been thrown in anger with an injury before kick off. Callum Smithy McNally called into the fray was going to prove a significant addition in conditions favouring a more orthodox forwards game.
From the opening kick off it was clear the windy conditions would affect anything aerial, an easy line out on the 10 metre line allowing the home side to drive into the 22 with a deft grubber kick through from Jak Cluness, who was starting for the first time in two years. A penalty conceded from a line out for jumping across allowed Bicester to clear their line. The respite was short lived, from a line out on the Bicester 10 metre line another deft kick from Jak Cluness over the oncoming Bicester pack nestled into the welcome arms of Craig Coxon who touched down gratefully after just four minutes of play near the corner flag.
The conversion was missed in the difficult conditions and Buckingham conceded a penalty from the restart which was slotted by the no 10.
Straight from the kick off James Hulston gathered the ball and offloaded to Coxon who in turn off loaded to Jamie Lee who crossed the whitewash to round off an impressive second score to give the home side a 10-3 lead.
With what was to be the pattern for the remainder of the half relentless pressure from Buckingham was not converted into any further scores.
Will Cooper came on for Joe Kylall for the second half.
Strong pressure in the first 10 minutes resulted in a penalty by Jak Cluness to give Buckingham a 13-3 lead.
Bicester creditably continued to pressure the Buckingham line and had a try ruled out for crossing.
Buckingham heeded this warning and following fine work out by the forwards McNally forced his way over the line from a line out after excellent work from Scarr.
From the kick off and after a set of driving forward plays featuring Cooper and McNally, London took the off load and crashed over the line. t extend the home side lead to 25-3.
Following a 8 minute period of resolute home side defence following an intercept by Coxon and great supporting work from Ockenden, Scarr touched down to take the score to 30-3.
Buckingham pressed home their advantage with further sores from Sumner and Ockenden to take the score to 40-3. The home side were not finished and with just three minutes remaining a slick backs move led to the final score of the game, Chalmers fed Clarke who in turn passed to Barker and Hulston allowing Lee to run in for the final score of the game.

Man of the match: Callum Smithy McNally

Champagne Moment: Barkers pass to Hulston setting up the final try of the game.

Report by John Nagy