Bucks Battle Through

By Chris Harrison - April 6 2012
Bucks Battle Through
Kev Oliphant (circa 1952)
The Bucks entertained Rovers Mighty III in the first round of the 21st Century’s inaugural Pyman Shield.Luckily the rain kept off but a stiff breeze blew diagonally across the pitch, slightly in the visitors favour.

The game was somewhat fragmented and personally a little disappointing as the Bucks failed to show some of the play they have produced throughout the season.

It took the home team until the 20th min to move the ball across the field and then back again and it allowed right wing Jonny Cole to finish off as he received a pop ball on his wrong wing.(5-0).

Left winger Nige Bulmer nearly added to the total 5 mins later when he escaped the grasp of the visitors full back but failed to elude the touchline.

On 30 mins centre Foster was pulled down just inches short of the line.

 

HT 5 – 0.

 

As the game continued into the 2nd half West lost 2 players to yellow cards and Rovers also lost 1.

Eventually on 20 mins Fly Half Kevin Oliphant completed a simple double dummy from an attacking 5m scrum and darted through the opposition defence. He probably could have made the line but instead fed Full Back Luke Mallinson who finished off and then converted his effort.(12-0).

With just 5 mins to go West broke blind from another attacking scrum and then recycled it before moving it across field to Bulmer who scooted in at the corner.(17-0).

Rovers never say die attitude allowed them to grab a try back with minutes left on the clock.(17-7).

The problems we have had all season still showed themselves –

-         loss of ball in contact

-         backs receiving ball too flat/static

but they also failed to stretch the visitors often enough – look to move the ball wide, take contact and then move the ball back wide the other way. Simple, but very effective at this level.

The Bucks now look to entertain Acklam in a league fixture on Saturday, 1st vs 2nd.

West Bucks are sponsored by the O’Brien Group. Specialists in Waste Management, Asbestos Removal, Demolition & Dismantling, Land Remediation and Architectural Salvage.

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