Milton Keynes RUFC 1XV
Matches
Sat 14 Sep 2013  ·  Southern Counties North
Bletchley
20
13
Milton Keynes RUFC
Milton Keynes RUFC 1XV
Tries: D Pearson (2)Penalties: P Powell
Bletchley edge the closely fought local derby

Bletchley edge the closely fought local derby

Dave George16 Sep 2013 - 19:15
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Bletchley can claim the spoils in an even contest that bodes well for both sides during the season, but Milton Keynes will rue missed opportunities.

Early exchanges we’re frantic as both sides looked to impose themselves, with Bletchley’s heavier, experienced pack dominating the set pieces and controlling possession. The away side let themselves down with a number of early penalties, resulting in prop David Seller in the bin after 12 minutes.

Milton Keynes still looked dangerous when they had the ball though and Oliver Fountain crossed the line after some good handling but was judged to have crossed the dead ball line in the motion of scoring, so the try was ruled out. With David Seller back on the pitch Milton Keynes defended well as Bletchley forced the play but couldn’t find a break through. Then after 25 minutes what looked like a scoring opportunity for the visitors, turned into points for the homes side as they intercepted the pass on their own 22 and ran the length of the pitch to score, but were unable to convert. Just ten minutes later they we’re back on the score sheet as the Bletchley pack executed a text book catch and drive from a lineout to score in the corner, making the score 10-0, from a first half that seemed tetchy, and lacked any real cutting edge, similar to 2 boxers fighting for points rather than a knockout.

Milton Keynes we’re down but not out and started the second half bright upping the intensity in the rucks and giving their dangerous backs more ball. It was a piece of individual brilliance from flying winger Dan Pearson that got them back in the game as he received the ball with what seemed nowhere to go, and a grubber kick in behind his opposing winger, gave him enough of a head start on the covering full back to show a cool head and good footballing skills before scoring in the corner.

Bletchley knew they we’re in a fight and this time it was them that would be reduced to 14 men, as their scrum half was sent into the bin for slowing down the ball as MK sought to exert pressure on them. Mk would kick themselves though for not taking advantage as another well executed maul resulted in another try this time converted and resulting in a 17-5 lead.

The game entered its final 15 minutes and space started to open as Bletchley struggled to cope with the superior fitness of the MK pack. A cross field kick from Phil Powell was taken high by Oliver Fountain, recycled quickly and spun down the line to Pearson who would score his second try of the day in the corner, Phil Powell was unable to convert. He did strike a penalty moments later though to make the score 17-13 to the home side to set up a nervy finish. As Milton Keynes pushed to nick it, they were undone by a decision that could have gone either way, as Bletchley again attempting to slow the ball down from a ruck centre Rob Matthews was sent to the bin as for what was deemed excessive use of the boot, being reduced to 14 men at this stage seemed to kill off any hope MK had of staging a comeback. Bletchley would take the last score of the game as a final penalty allowed them to take the score to 20-13 to claim local bragging rights, at least until they return to Emerson Valley in the final game of the league season.

MKRUFC Club Captain
David Brown

Match details

Match date

Sat 14 Sep 2013

Kickoff

15:00

Meet time

14:00

Location

Competition

Southern Counties North
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