Bicester U18s Colts 73 – 3 Bletchley U18s Colts (OBB League)

Bicester welcomed Bletchley to Oxford Road for a rare home game and were looking to build on recent weeks performances to keep their 100% record in the OBB League. Bletchley proved to be a plucky opponent but ultimately it was Bicester’s power and go forward driving play that allowed them to dominate and keep the scoreboard ticking over at regular intervals to come out well on top scoring a total of 11 tries.

Straight from the kick off Bicester were into the game and with some slick handling the ball was spun wide where Louis was unlucky to have the ball dislodged as he went over. From the resulting 5 metre scrum Bicester won the ball against the head and Cameron had a simple pick up and drive from No.8 to open the scoring with Dan W converting 7 – 0. Bletchley came into the game and moved into the Bicester 22 where they gained a penalty and elected to kick for goal which was missed. From the 22 drop out Bletchley regained the ball but defensive pressure forced a loose pass and George was able to intercept and run the length of the pitch to score with Dan W converting 14 – 0. Bicester were now gaining good possession and driving forward both in the forwards and backs however their discipline at the breakdown deserted them and they were penalised for a series of offences allowing Bletchley to clear. Oscar was the next to go close and looked certain to score but he was just hauled down on the line where again Bicester infringed. The relieving Bletchley penalty kick did not make touch and Bicester ran the ball back into contact where good rucking allowed the ball to be spun out to Callum who showed a bit of pace to go outside the cover and score 19 – 0. It was not all one way traffic and Bletchley made progress into Bicester territory through some good probing kicks to the corner. Bletchley won a lineout close to the Bicester line and ran the ball but a good tackle sent the ball loose and Bicester were able to capitalise turning defence into attack with quick ball down the line to Lewis who rounded the defenders to run the length of the field to score with Dan W converting 26 – 0. From the kick off the ball was allowed to bounce and Bicester looked in trouble as Joey gathered the ball behind his own line but he was able to turn and make good yards before finding Max who broke a couple of tackles where he off loaded to Jonny who took it up to half way where he passed to Mark up in support who outstripped the cover to score finishing a fine length of the field move with Dan W converting 33 – 0. Again Bicester were making things difficult for themselves by giving away a series of penalties and from one of these Bletchley got on the scoreboard with a kick 33 – 3. As half time approached there was just enough for Bicester to exert more pressure and from a loose ball Joey drove for the line with Max who took the ball on and over to score with Dan W converting 40 – 3 to end the half.

The second half started with Bicester looking to build on the first half and it wasn’t long before a loose ball was taken on by the forwards before being recycled and with good hands down the line to Laith who finished well in the corner with an excellent conversion from Sam 47 – 3. The restart kick did not go 10 and from the scrum on the half way a set backs move was not executed exactly but still Mark found room to take the ball wide and find Laith who broke a couple of tackles to score his second within a couple of minutes 52 – 3. The game began to get a bit scrappy with Bicester again giving away a series of penalties but after a few words the boys refocused and started to drive and support into the Bletchley half where they won a penalty. The ball was passed to Ed who went on a crabbing sideways run before straightening and breaking through several tackles to score with Dan W converting 59 – 3. Bletchley never let their heads drop and kept plugging away making occasional forays into the Bicester half. From a scrum in the Bicester 22 Cameron picked up at No.8 and drove forward where he was supported and Bicester made good yards before Christian finished it off with a well taken try which Dan W converted 66 – 3. Bicester again drove into the Bletchley half before the ball was eventually scrambled into touch. Joey having an excellent afternoon dominating the lineout again won the ball and with a quick pass Dan W made an incisive break before the ball was recycled and down the line to Jimmy who went round to score with Dan W converting 73 – 3. By now Bicester were rampant and were running the ball from everywhere and from deep within their own half a sweeping move with a series of breaks and offloads saw them over the line again only to be called back for a forward pass. The game ended with Bicester pressing but unable to add further to their score.

A game that Bicester dominated and showed how good they are with ball in hand or in driving and rucking, the only disappointment being the number of penalties given away. Man of the Match: Cameron for his driving runs and round the pitch work rate. Squad of: Max, Ed, Oscar, Callum, Ashley, Jonny, Joey, Adam, Dan B, Cameron, Christian, Sam, Lewis, Jimmy, Mark, George, Louis, Laith, Dan w and Ieuan.