Buckinghamshire RFU

Bucks County U16 Vs. East Mids U16 Match Report
Sunday 5th March Bucks RFU U16 hosted their first full competitive match vs. East Midlands RFU on Aylesbury RFC's new 3G pitch.
The selected 23-man squad were very much looking forward to the challenge of playing against a CB the county has not played often before and a county with great reputation.
As expected it was a immensely competitive game, with both sides displaying excellent skills.
East Mids started strong dominating the break downs and rucks in both defence and attack. This would eventually lead to Bucks infringing to many time for the referee’s patience (who was an excellent referee) and eventually issuing to yellow cards to Bucks reducing our numbers to 13 players for nearly 15 mins.
However, the entire team demonstrated immense commitment to each other and a gritted determination to compete, defend and attack when the opportunity arose. Impressively Bucks did not concede any points during this period.
From the kick off both teams looked to attack and play heads up rugby, the lads keen to express their natural talents.
The first score of the match came from East Mids no. 8 from a lost line out and some great work by the East Mids forward down the blind side leading to a Ruck 2 metres out from which No. 8 crashed over.

From the following kick off Bucks applied sustained pressure in the East Mids 22but were unable to secure points.
A great break by the Bucks back line moved the attack into the East Mids half, with a follow-on drive by Ed Griffiths, securing a penalty and then another by Ed from the penalty set up prime field position for a no. 8 to backs hands combination leading to a core under the posts by Zac Collingbourne (13). Conversion by Freddie Lewis: 7-5

A line break by the Est Mids 12 drove into the Bucks half followed by some powerful pick and goes moved East Mids closer to the Bucks line. A great double miss pass by the East Mids 12 released their winger to score in the corner. Conversion missed – 7-10.

Bucks responded with sustained pressure in the East Mids 22 leading to a penalty. Sharp aware ness by Harry Yoemans at 9 with a tap and go release Matt Bowen to drive powerfully over the line for Bucks 2nd score. Conversion by Freddie from a difficult kick was good: 14-10.
What continued was a great display of rugby by both teams, showing immense skills and determination in attack and defence.
The half ended 14:10

The 2nd half continued with the same great rugby. East Mids forwards continue to be strong at the break down and their centres showing great speed and agility in the back line. Bucks continued to press hard in attack and defence with great links up between backs and forwards creating space in nearly every phase and Harvy Mack (15) defending strongly at the back.
The pressure at the break down showed resulting and a yellow card for Bucks for continued infringement.

Bucks defended with commitment and great team spirit against 15 men and this was further tested with a 2nd yellow card leading to Bucks being down to 13 men.

Bucks on the back foot worked hard and it is great credit the skills and game awareness that no points were conceded. A kick by Harvey Mack was defended well by bucks putting pressure on the capture leading to a turn over. Recognising the space in front Jake Williams picked the ball up and winger like, stormed down the touch line, linking with Robbie Cartwright and then linking again to drive over the East Mids line only to be held up, resulting in Bucks securing a scrum in the East Mids 5 metres. A strong scrum, great heads up rugby and good hands secured a 2nd try for Zach Collingbourne (13). A tough conversion for Freddie Lewis that was missed: 19-10.

East Mids continued to press hard, showing great determination and skill. Only stout defending across the team and at the back by Harvey Mack held them out. A great break by the East Mids 23 set up a ruck in the Bucks 22. A nice pop up from the ruck and great hands by the East Mids 15 securing the ball with 1 hand lead to a score. The conversion was missed. Bucks lead 19-17.

From the kick off Bucks defending strongly and a powerful counter ruck. String running from the forwards and a great run around by Connor Hickman released Richard Dean (22????) to drive with good footwork to within the try line. The ball was secured and a hard line ran by Conor Reilly got him over the try line but was held up. Scrum to Bucks 5 metres out.
A strong scrum and a great no. 8 pick up by Robbie Cartwright, with some nice sleight of hand released Harry Yoemans to score under the posts. Another conversion by Freddie Lewis: 26-17

More sustained pressure and skill by East Mids securing a penalty in Bucks half. A quick tap and go by the 9 and great awareness from the East Mids back line putting a grubber in behind the Bucks defence to release 15 to sprint down the line and score in the corner. A tough conversion that was missed: 26-22
More great work from the forward with both structured play and heads up rugby released Robbie Cartwright again driving for the line.. but for a forward pass Harvey Mack would have added to Bucks try tally.

From the East Mids scrum a risky chip over the top in the 22 was attempted. Bucks secured and and drove to the line. Some great forward and back interplay releasing Harvey Mack with good footwork to drive over the line, but held up again. Some ill-discipline from the players with this decision lead to a penalty to East Mids, allowing them to clear their lines.
East Mids secured the resulting line out and after a short drive kicked from 9. The bouncing ball was secured by Rhys Harper, who with great speed and footwork broke the East Mids defence and moved Bucks to within the East Mids 22. Bucks couldn’t sustain the pressure and the ball was eventually turned over.
Both team continued to pla good rugby, a few mistakes due to fatigue and the weather but eventually sustain defensive pressure by Bucks forced a forward pass by East Mids in their 22.
A strong scrum provided the platform for 9 to release the backs and some great hands and running line opened the opportunity for Rhys Harper, showing great finishing skills, to dive over the corner to score. Another tough conversion which was missed: 31-22.

The game continued in the same competitive spirit and excellent expansive rugby. Only stout defence from both side prevent any further score.
Final score 31-22.

A great game of rugby and fantastic commitment and skill displayed by both teams. It was a pleasure to host East Mids and we hope to repeat the fixture in years to come.
Thanks you to Aylesbury Rugby Club and their staff for helping to ensure a great day.

Squad