Solid Away win

Ranqgers continue winning ways

Following on from a splendid Christmas lunch with our very amiable hosts the Abbey President comment on the two teams was ‘we will do what we can to win but Bucks will definitely throw the ball around’. Whether with accuracy or otherwise we were yet to discover. He further commented that he hoped the game would be played in good spirit which it was.
This game was to be a game of fewer mistakes than of late, but the first penalty went to the hosts. Following a line out Bucks gained a turnover, the enthusiastic Scarr was then adjudged to be holding on and conceding a penalty.
Despite Abbey pressing forward a brilliant interception allowed Prime to make a 40 metre run and off load to tight head Payne who bundled over the line close to the uprights. The reliable akinman added the extras.
Abbey pressed again but Bucks forced a turnover scrum half Chalmers steaming forward with support from Graham on his welcome return to the side running strong lines throughout the game. Abbey gained some momentum driving into the Bucks 22. A knock on led to the first scrum of the game an area the hosts prided themselves. A strong shove was spoilt by poor control allowing a long clearing kick by Kinman.
Abbey then conceded a penalty but with a strong wind playing havoc with place kicking Kinman pushed his attempt just wide.
However a searching monster clearance by Kinman gave a line out 5 metres out from the Abbey line and Chalmers off loaded to the ever alert Scarr who touched down over the line.
There followed a spirited passage of play by the hosts ith their 11 Paulette, 13 Buckley and 12 Walton teaming up to carry the ball forward into the Bucks 22. This good or almost came to nought but an unkind bounce of the ball for Graham allowed Bevan to score for the hosts which was successfully converted to leave the score at 7-12.
A Bucks high tackle allowed a kickable penalty which was accepted to set the score at 10-12.
Further indiscipline resulted in another penalty for Abbey , there was a set of spirited play by both sides and a tremendous run by Scarr ho was hauled don just short of the line by the hosts large loose head Stevenson.
From a strong Bucks driving maul the next try was claimed by Scarr with the conversion going just wide.
Half time 10-17
The second half was much like the first with Abbey never quite able to get their nose in front. The game progressed with Nagy the speedy full back replacing Sumner. A great kick to start was followed by an unfortunate knock on by Nagy who soon made amends with a scything run down the left wing to score a fine try.
Some slack Bucks defending allowed Melvin the Abbey scrum half to dive over under th posts hich was improved by a successful conversion from Bevan.
Abbey then struck again kicking a penalty to bring the score to 20-22.
Lifting their tired bodies for the final onslaught Bucks again breached the try line the fizzing Chalmers popping up the ball for Prime to claim the touchdown.
Further good work followed by the visitors allowed Scarr to score to bring the score to 20-34.
The stoic home and away supporters of which there were many were looking forward to an exciting finale and they were not to b disappointed.
Abbey ran in a final try to make the final score 27-34.
Man of the match Harry Scarr for his tireless running and hat trick of tries.
Champagne moment to Matt Payne aka Darcy Bussell for his splendid scurry to the line for the first try of the match.

Report by Sally Hodges