Bucks U18 squad travelled in unison by coach to Weston Super Mare for game 1 (of 2) that makes up the SW Eng Counties trials on a bright and dry day(a far cry from the same fixture in 2018).
The squad included 3 U17s to demystify the experience for their main charge next year.
The pitch is another AWP so a familiar surface for our lads who enjoy their training at Aylesbury AWP, and given it was a 'trial' both teams were keen to give a go.
Bucks had the brighter start, playing into the light breeze, and dominated territory and possession for the first 7 mins or so, Devon barely touching the ball. Eventually and showing great patience, Bucks moved the ball left to find the space for left wing, Sam Marks (RGS) to dab down (no conversions or pen kicks are taken in these games).
5-0 Bucks.
Off the restart, and a clearance kick to half way, a fortuitous ricochet from Devon the back field, ended up with a scrum in Bucks' 22 again, and whilst Bucks dominated the shove, from the set play Devon made good ground in the midfield, before then crashing over wide left. 5-5 and a bit too easy.
Bucks would score next though, a confident and well set up driving maul off a penalty taken as a lineout option.
10-5.
Bucks continued to dominant both ball and territory, and whilst Devon defended stoically from a dribble kick to the left corner, from the resultant lineout Bucks rumbled in-field with Oscar Wheeler (Oakland College) to the fore, before switching blind for a stroll in for back row Alex Gibson (RGS). 15-5.
In a rare break out, Devon again made ground down the left channel, with an attempted (and successful) cover tackle by 2R Charlie Bourne adjudged 'high' in the dive, and the referee awarded a pen try and a Yellow Card.
15-10
Bucks up still and half time.
3 tries to 2 probably not reflective of the dominance, but surely Devon who had defended for long periods would tire.
Substitutes added energy and go-forward, with more strong carries in the forwards, (captain Joe Harmen, 7, John Hampden enjoying a few rampaging bursts).
Bucks would score next when outside half Harry Peters played a deft chip into space deep left for Sam Marks to gather and dap down for his second.
20-10.
Devon had their purple patch with the ball, but the Bucks defence held solid.
Perhaps fittingly given the overall team performance, it was Bucks who would wrap things up, a swift more coming left from their own 10m, and lovely flat miss out pass by Harry Peters to give Sam Marks initial space, and with the Devon cover racing across he showed great pace and then a sublime step at speed to wrong foot 2 defenders for his hat-trick.
Final Score 25-10 as 5 tries to 2.
We await now what the selectors made of the individual players, with another 4 teams in action on the Sunday.
Initial feedback from the SW coaches was very positive, and we are hopeful Bucks have good representation in the 'squad of round one' before then pressing for contention over the weekend 14/15 Dec.
Our next opponents are now confirmed - Cornwall in Sunday the 15th.
Well played Bucks!