As everyone started to arrive we all noticed a very nervous atmosphere in the changing rooms. After all, this was the biggest match we had played all season, county cup aside, Banbury are our number one rivals in the county, and with Harrison winding all the Coopers players up it was shaping up to be one of the toughest matches of the season. With Max away but Tim back from holiday the squad as almost the same as when we smashed Chinnor last week.
After Mark’s usual rousing speech we all herded out onto the training field to get warmed up. The weather was starting to clear as we made our way towards the pitch ready to receive the kick off.
Jack Cowley took the high ball and was immediately smashed by Harrison, Banbury stole the ball and after a few hard fought minutes they scored to make the score 5-0.
If it had been another day this would have disheartened the players and the game would have been lost. However as we approached the half way line it was clear that we were going to fight this one out and after a few minutes of flawless rush defence and brilliant tackling by the flankers Tim and Ryan Bicester scored giving us the slight lead of 7-5.
This try was quickly followed by another from Tom, who had just arrived from an army training exercise (looking hideous as normal). This score remained until half time and we went in for the drinks with a smile on our faces.
In the first play we showed our complete dominance, scoring from the kick with apparent ease, the Banbury players were looking ever more doubtful.
As the match developed we showed our superiority in both the forwards and the backs. Little Jack stormed past their defence and Giles made a brilliant break to make the score a very one-sided 29-5. As the match was wrapping up fatigue started to set in and, despite brilliant tackles from all the backs, we were unlucky enough to concede a second try just before the whistle went. Leaving Harrison awe-struck and Bicester going into the clubhouse ecstatic at the score.
On the whole it was an amazing performance from everyone involved, including the subs, who played brilliantly when they came on in the second half. We took everything we learnt on the training field into the game and I’m really looking forward to next week’s game. Well played to everyone.
By Charlie Pullin
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3 comments:
well done charlie excellent report,look forward to the nxt 1 from this sundays match
I am so glad the threat of playing Banbury (including Harrison) allowed Bicester to play their best game. May I take this opportunity to remind the Bicester squad they were in fact supposed to be playing the Banbury team and not just Harrison. With THREE of our players at County Elite along with Bicester Max and one injured I was proud that despite being obviously targeted Harrison once again proved to be matured enough to play the game in the spirit it should be played.
After all, which coach was it that quoted "It's not all about winning!" We wish Bicester all the luck in the plate as Banbury prepares for the Cup...
It is worth noting that Harrison was identified as an obvious attacking threat and any "targetting" was within the laws as well as the spirit of the game.
The Bicester forwards were desperate to show their former teammate that they have responded positively to his absence by upping their game.
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