Close Call

Squeezed out in local Derby

With a large crowd present following a pre-match luncheon in memory of Bicester President, John Deeley who had sadly passed away before Christmas, Buckingham were informative a tough return fixture against local rivals Bicester.
Buckingham were hoping for the ascendancy in the first half as they played downhill from the kick off, but it was Bicester who played with pace and aggression and dominated possession for the first 15 minutes.
The Buckingham defence which has been a key to their recent form again stood firm and it wasn't until the 20th minute before Bicester pressure resulted in a kickable penalty which was duly slotted to make the score 3-0.
Buckingham then started to get into the game and had a great opportunity to score but wasted a 4 on 1 overlap.
The visitor's pressure continued and when Bicester conceded a penalty in their 22 Ed Kinman kicked to the corner, but from the line out Bicester's defence held firm, turning the ball over and clearing their lines.
Buckingham continued to assert pressure and with some slick passing Euan Prime received the ball 5 metres out but his dive for the line resulted in the first controversy in the match as the ball was adjudged to not have been grounded.The crowd were then bemused by the awarding of a 5 metre scrum to the visitors.
The Buckingham backs continued to show some good hands and with Ed Kinman and Jak Cluness controlling the game a period of sustained pressure led to Captain Jamie Temple scoring a fine try in he corner. The conversion was missed but Buckingham had a deserved 5-3 lead.
Buckingham continued to utilise the slope of the pitch with Max Nagy kicking well from hand to keep Bicester penned in their own half.
Buckingham needed to score again in the first half before half time as Bicester would surely use the slope to their advantage in the second half. Young winger Oli Horton who had made such an impressive debut 2 weeks ago once again showed his blistering pace which released Max Nagy to score Buckinghams's second try which was converted by Ed Kinman to give Bucks a 12-3 lead after 35 minutes.
However, the home side were clearly not going to wait for the second half and after a superb steal by Matt Payne a certain try was averted.
Bicester came out fighting and scored a quick penalty to make the score 12-6. The visitors cause was not helped when Max Nagy was shown a yellow card for dissent. However, a great team effort restricted Bicester loonily three points whilst they were down to 14 men.
Bicester's continued pressure resulted in their one and only try of the match which was converted. Bicester now led 16-12.
The crowd were in for a thrilling last 5 minutes of rugby, but the controversy was far from over. From the final play of the game a driving maul from a 5 metre line out, once again saw Buckingham's Euan Prime ruled to have the ball held up over the line.
The final score of 16-12 was probably a fitting result for Bicester on a day when we all remembered their distinguished President.
Buckingham play top of the table Windsor next Saturday at Floyd Field.

Match Report by Julian Scarr