Milton Keynes RUFC 1XV
Matches
Sat 01 Feb 2020  ·  Wadworth 6X Berks, Bucks & Oxon Premier
Oxford
7
82
Milton Keynes RUFC
Milton Keynes RUFC 1XV
Tries: L Tribe (4), D Greenwood (2), j Marchbank (2), J Fitzgerald (3), A Yabsley, T Pope, S PhippsConversions: L Tribe (6)
MK Run in 14 tries in Emphatic Win

MK Run in 14 tries in Emphatic Win

Dan Pearson4 Feb 2020 - 18:06
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Oxford 7 - 82 MK

Oxford 7 -82 Milton Keynes
MK were on their travels, making the 50 minute trip to Oxford, who were in effect bottom of the table (with Littlemore having folded), and so this should have been a formality. The first half didn’t suggest this as a resolute Oxford frustrated MK for large periods but a much improved second half saw MK find their attacking edge, scoring free flowing tries.
With only 2 minutes on the clock, MK opened the scoring, following a scrum on the Oxford 22m line Ollie Anderson picked up from the back of the scrum, passed the ball to John Marchbank who made a deft grubber kick which popped up nicely for Lee Tribe to score.
It took a further 20 minutes for the next try to come, although MK were creating chances, it was often the final pass or handling error that let MK down. When it did click though, Dylan Greenwood crossed for his first try after great handling by the back line.
With 30 minutes gone John Marchbank was the next to score with good possession from the pack allowing the backs to stretch Oxford’s defence, Marchbank burrowed over from close range to earn the 3rd try of the match.
The elusive 4th try was proving difficult to find as Oxford started to build phases and pressure, but after a quick turnover the ball was moved wide for Joe Fitzgerald to beat 3 defenders, offload to Lee Tribe, who made further in roads and pass back to Fitzgerald to cross the line. Tribe was successful with the conversion to make the score 0 - 24 at half time.
With clear instructions from attack coach Aldam Mills, it wasn’t the start to the half that MK were expecting. After ill-discipline from MK, Oxford built pressure through their forwards, resulting in their only score of the game. 7 - 24 to MK, but no one watching was expecting the next 35 minutes to go the way it did.
MK went long from the restart and with no Oxford player gathering the kick, the ball rolled out for an Oxford lineout 5ms from their own line. With MK’s lineout functioning well, the ball was stolen and from the resulting play, John Marchbank crossed the line for his 2nd try and with Tribe adding the extras, and from here the flood gates opened.
Oxford didn’t help themselves, with the ball in a ruck and melee broke out and Stuart Tomkinson was punched and with the Oxford player being shown the red card. MK now using the extra man and more accurate passing, 5 quick tries were scored with Lee Tribe getting his hat trick, a returning Tom Pope, Dylan Greenwood adding his second but the pick of the bunch was from Archie Yabsley, hitting a supporting line at pace and crashing through a unorganised defensive line.
Joe Fitzgerald continued the scoring with 2 tries, completing his hat trick, the best one was after another lung busting run from Michael Fitzgerald, we was one on one with the full back, but with his brother supporting, Michael reluctantly passed the ball for Joe to score.
Captain Stuart Phipps wasn’t pleased about missing out on the scoring and added the final try of the day after a trademark run, beating the full back to dot down under the posts. Tribe adding the extras for a resounding MK win, 7 - 82.
With an unimpressive 1st half, MK found their grove and attacking flair to run the 14 men of Oxford ragged and 58 unanswered 2nd half points told the tale.
Despite the win MK remain in third place (with a game in hand). Gosford All Blacks beating Abingdon 19 -24 and Chipping Norton won convincingly away at Wheatley 7 - 78. Both Gosford and Chippy have yet to visit Stade EV. Its’s a very exciting 2nd half to the season ahead.
MK have a week off this week and after a few bruising matches, the bodies need a rest.
The next home match for the 1st team is against Slough on 15th February with the cup final, also at home against Dorchester on 22nd February.
Next week we have the 2nd team entertaining Wellingborough in the league. Kick off is 2:15 and with the 6 nations live on the big screen, come and support the boys.

Match details

Match date

Sat 01 Feb 2020

Kickoff

14:30

Competition

Wadworth 6X Berks, Bucks & Oxon Premier

League position

3
Milton Keynes
11
Oxford
Team overview
Further reading

Team Sponsors

Club Sponsor - TXM Recruit Ltd
Pitch Sponsors - PJ Care Ltd
Pitch Sponsors - Keyne Developments
Club Sponsor - Line One Sales Ltd
Club Sponsor - NHBC