Bicester had only one player unavailable this being there scum half Ed Hines, and the added bonus of our first new player of our player recruitment drive, Luke Freeman.
Having agreed to follow the Northamptonians game order and times of 4 x 15 minute matches the first game commenced:
With Bicester replacing Ed with its speedy winger Jack Davis at 9 and Jack Taylor coming in on the wing, plus the long awaited return of Oscar Brand at Prop after a month out due to injury, Bicester started with what was conceived as its strongest starting line up.
The game started with real impact with the forwards smashing into each other as if their life’s depended on it, big hits all round, the game quickly opened up with the Northamptonians large backs exploding through at pace prior to the Bicester backs being able to get their tackles to land with sufficient impact to take them down, twice in a few minutes the Bicester line was broken only for Josh Denton at full back to come to the rescue with two try saving brave tackles.
The game quickly took shape, the packs were equal in scrummaging with an excellent referee assisting both teams with good verbal instructions, the Bicester pack tried to break through with strong rucking by all, however their clearing out and eye for the loose ball was not as strong with the Northamptonions forwards securing the majority of loose ball, with this ball they quickly set their very large athletic backs away who showed their quality to score four unanswered tries.
The boys had come up against a very well drilled and talented team who it was later confirmed contained no fewer then 5 Northampton Academy players and 7 Eastern Counties players, with the Fly Half being the son of the Northampton Saints Captain Bruce Ryanah (spelling??).
The Bicester Boys found themselves struggling to contain their opponents the boys sustained their effort and ever improving stamina with strong performances and the never give up attitude.
Game 1 Northamptonians 22 Bicester 0
Game 2
Bicester made only one change against the opposition who looked as if they kept the same team.
New Boy Luke came in for Jack on the wing, who had at times in the previous match 3 or 4 players running at him. It was not long before Luke was tested with a strong run from the opponents outside centre running at full stride down the wing with only Luke to beat and without even having touched the ball previously Luke tackled the player taking him low and wrapping him up in the process, this was to be his first of several try saving tackles on the wing.
This example seemed to inspire the Bicester boys, with them increasing their work rate and at the same time their tackling, the game was more evenly matched with Bicester obtaining a lot more of the ball, with the Pack winning good ball from the scrums, the stand in Scrum half Jack Davis was starting to gain more and more confidence, he started to release the passes to his backs plus carried out a few set piece moves.
Further changes were made by Bicester with Liam coming on at Hooker, Will on the wing with Luke ever increasing in confidence being moved to outside centre, Bicester gave a real account of themselves in this game although finally going down to two converted tries to nil.
Game 2 Northamptonians 14 Bicester 0
Game 3
Changes were made by both teams, with the home team taking off a number of their top players however not all!
With increasing determination Bicester maintained their strong forward play with Alan with his very aggressive tackling and running, aided by Oscar, Max, doing a lot of hidden work in the breakdown area, Tom chasing down around the fringe, Chris, Ed T, Sam all working hard all around the pitch and Charlie constantly taking the game to the Northamptonian forwards.
Tim at Fly half was getting quicker ball from the base of the scrum from Jack D, finally the backs were getting their running lines and hands on the ball a lot more often, Giles had a few runs as did Luke and François on the wing, Bicester after having gone a try down, came back and scored two very good tries themselves through Jack Davis who raced clear after spotting a gap and then Tom Bennett who was enjoying putting himself about, with an excellent individual run in try.
With Tim having to leave the field injured (after a large opponent becoming a little confused it seems regarding the rules of “Fly hacking” using Tim as a Rugby ball and trying to kick him out of the ground after Tim had cleverly kicked over him when running down the wing after fine back play, the Northamptonian player was asked to leave the field so that he could be re educated by his coaches regarding tackling not kicking opponents, he later apologised to Tim) Ryan took over conversion duties and successfully converted.
During this game David Champney and Will Ball were put in with the forwards as was Giles who moved from Centre to his school position of Prop, Giles was straight in to the forward plays with a relish, winning loose ball and adding power and pace to the pack.
Game 3 Northamptonians 5 Bicester 12
Game 4
Another hard fought match with Ryan moving in to Fly half, Tom B, being moved to Centre and Liam going on to the wing after Oscar was switched to Hooker, and Jack Taylor returning to the fray on the other wing, Jack Davis was getting plenty of ball, Luke was starting to get more ball in hand which showed that he had pace to go with his tackling skills, Charlie pick up from the base of the scrum a number of times only to be stopped by late desperate tackles from adding to his seasons high try rate. The game flowed from end to end with any high ball kicked cleanly held, rucks and mauls being set up, a very even game was contested, what was very obvious to those who have watched the boys over the last eight weeks is that the fitness levels and the mental strength are both improving.
Bicester went down to a try that was scored by the result of Bicester allowing a tackled player to get up and score when he should have been prevented; this try was safely converted with an excellent long kick.
Bicester changed their scrum half Jack who had improved match by match with François who plays scrum half at school, Sam replaced Chris Mansfield who had given all in the previous three matches in the 2nd row, the match was flowing with good play by the Bicester boys, who it must be said earned the respect of the home team players, coaching team and supporters by their never give up attitude, Bicester pushed and pushed their opponents back with them forcing the home team into errors and penalties, with the referee continuing to control the game Bicester were given a penalty 5 m from the try line, Giles was quick to take a penalty jinking his way through the home defence to score a good individual try which the conversion unfortunately missed.
The game finished with Bicester on top but out of time to reverse the 2 point gap.
Game 4 Northamptonians 7 Bicester 5
Conclusion:
Hard Games, beaten by a better, Stronger Team,
Positives:
Things to work on:
Well done boys you gave your all, although we lost, you again showed improvement, getting fitter, stronger all of which should assist us with the rest of the season, particularly when we come up against more equal sides. Great attitude regarding sportsmanship and substitutions, well done parents and brothers and sisters for your support, Thanks for Scores etc Dawn & Andy.
Mark
No comments:
Post a Comment