After several week without a game the Buccaneers were keen to get back on the park. As has happened all too often this season the fixture looked in doubt with the Ravens struggling to field a side. Thankfully Sherwood wolf hunt offered to make up the numbers so the Buccaneers faced a joint Ravens Sherwood team.

With coach Jim Dearing unavailable it was down to club stalwart Mark ‘Beany’ Bean to steer the ship. Despite a couple of late pull outs on paper the Buccaneers still had a good squad fielding a mix of veterans and players making their debut.

The game started at pace with neither team able to complete their sets due to handling errors. However it was Captain John Stanfield who broke the deadlock after 5 mins with a great individual try, Tom Baldersone adding the extras from the tee. The next ten minutes saw teams trade tries. Buccaneers fullback Matt Cuthbertson outpaced defence to dab down in the corner shortly followed by Captain Stanfield’s second try from close range. Forwards James Griffin and Kieran Lynch made the hard yards in the middle of the park as did Lewis Wilson and Sam Jewers. Unfortunately, the Buccaneers were unable to stop the younger and quicker visitors who made best use of the off load to exploit gaps in the Buccs defence. The half back paring of Underwood and Thompson linked up well but attacks were swiftly snuffed out. Centre John Hummel came close to scoring but was denied by a penalty. Down to 12 men after a yellow card to Rory O’Sullivan at halftime the Buccaneers trailed 16 v 22.

The second half saw the two sides exchange possession however, key injuries to Underwood and Wilson made things challenging for the home side. Dan Piggins and Will Scupham together with loose forward Thomas Henry pressed hard but to no avail. In a frantic two minutes the visitors ran in four tries to kill off any realistic hope of a Buccs comeback.

Despite the scoreline the Buccaneers never gave in with George Baldwin and debutant Lewis Himsworth taking it to the visitors. Ending strongly, the Buccs pressed hard for the score. It was ultimately prop James Griffin that barged his way over the line. Next to score was Man of the match John Stanfield who went over for his third try after a jinking run. The final two tries both came from skilful kicking. Firstly, prop will Scupham kicked cross field for winger John Hummel to gather and score. Not to be outdone second row Sam Jewers chipped the winger for Bruno Hall to out jump defenders and score on debut. Despite a spirited performance the Buccaneers went down 60 v 34.

Buccaneers: J. Stanfield, R. O’Sullivan, T. Henry, J. Underwood, S. Jewers, W. Scupham, J. Griffin, T. Balderstone, J. Hummel, G. Baldwin, M. Cuthbertson, K. Lynch, B. Hall, L. Himsworth, L. Wilson, J. Stanfield Snr, D. Piggins, C. Thompson.