u14's Match Reports 2008 - 2009

On a morning more suitable for cricket than rugby Milton Keynes under 14s began the new season with a heartening win over a feisty (as ever) Leighton Buzzard side at Field Lane on Sunday. With the under 13s playing on a very nearby parallel pitch the Adjutant was busy keeping the thin strip of grass separating the two pitches clear of spectators, many of whom were bemoaning the strength and direction of the sun.

The MK Squad had grown both in numbers and stature. They had suffered a few injuries over the past couple of weeks, some of them in training, some of them in bed, but the squad had been bolstered by new recruits and there were to be debuts for Sho Mori and Dylan Wells. Amidst rumours of short selling shirts the boys appeared in traditional black and white having passed on the red strip to the U13's. An eleventh hour deal brokered between U17, U14 and U13 squads!

This would be the first game for both teams under the Experimental law Variations, it would be interesting to see what affect they had.

The Buzzards kicked off but failed to make the necessary ten metres and the ensuing scrum and melee saw MK penalised for hands in the loose. They won it and ran the ball but hands in a ruck gifted LB a penalty. They chose to run it but a fine tackle from Dan Hunter put his man into touch. Buzzards won the lineout, but poor passing meant they could find no way through and were pushed back to their own 5 metre line. No clear possession emerged. The next scrum was reset four times but MK eventually won it and the ball went down the back line only for a knock-on to prevent further MK advances. From the scrum LB kicked downfield, Zach Ezenagu returned it and MK drove for the line. The were awarded a penalty, Elliott Ryan ran for the line but was stopped just short, a good shove from the pack drove the maul over but the ball was held up. From the scrum, Kieran Duffin picked up and ran diagonally for the line, straightening up in time to score first Mk try of the new season. Bollom waited in vain for a cone with which to kick the conversion, when none were forthcoming he tried the drop kick but was just wide.

How would the Buzzards respond? Tom McEwan took the restart and drove forward but MK were forced into touch. Ryan tipped the throw in and the ball went through the backs but a knock on meant a scrum for the Buzzards, the ball came out swiftly and moved down the line to the outside centre who made a clean break and set off on a long run to score the equalizer. Again a difficult conversion proved too difficult. So all was equal and there was plenty yet to play for. MK looked surprised that the Buzzards had carved such a slice through their defence and a quick response was demanded by captain Duffin.

LB ran back the restart but were stopped by a thumping tackle from Chiromo. Ezenagu, the flying No. 8, picked up from a scrum 20m out and went over for the lead. The new ELVs , with the referee sticking closely to the 5 metre rule, may have freed up the scrum base but - hell - the No. 8 did a lot of this last year too. Bollom, now with a kicking tee, narrowly missed the kick.

The restart was caught by John Marchbank and MK attacked again. They tried to pass but a knock on and a couple of forward passed stifled their attacks. When they did get it to the wing, Hunter had a strong run down the sideline. The ball went through several phases with MK rucking and passing well, Hunter drove for the line but was held up, Ben Ledingham went close but he too was held. From a penalty for a late tackle Duffin short passed to John (Mad Dog) Marchbank and it was taken on by Oliver (The Ripper) Anderson. Stopping him is no mean feat but stopped he was. The Buzzards scrum saw a knock on and from the MK scrum Duffin passed to new fly half Glyn Lewis. Following in his father's footsteps he threw a difficult pass to flying winger Orama Chiromo who knocked the ball forward, flew on, caught it before it bounced and duly touched it down in the corner. Again Bollom seemed to have mislaid his kicking boots.

The restart was caught by Will Holliday but a knock on gave LB a scrum. They tried to pass but the ball was dropped and Marchbank recovered. He fed Ezenagu who launched the ball downfield. Buzzards recovered the ball and their player, under pressure from Ezenagu, grounded the ball thinking he was over the try line, but he was still a couple of metres short and Ezenagu took the ball from him and went over for the try. Bollom's kick was wide and the Referee signalled the end of the half.

Although he must have been reasonably pleased, Coach Holliday called for better communication, some straighter running lines and for the flankers to stop running round like props in the second half. Harsh but true. Rory Newman replaced Ben Leddingham in the front row - it had been hard work on a hot morning - as the second half began. The Buzzards started on the attack. A strong run down the sideline took them deep into MK territory. Glyn Lewis tried to kick to relieve the pressure but it was charged down only for Ezenagu's to send a kick sailing downfield. LB's Full Back retrieved the ball and jinked past the chasing players but over elaborated ande was caught and robbed by Ezenagu who fed Chiromo and he went over for the score. Bollom put over the first successful conversion of the season.

Newman caught the restart and MK passed. A huge clearout of a ruck by the forwards set off another passing move with a strong run from Lewis. MK won a penalty in Buzzards territory and good runs from Marchbank and Mori set up a ruck near the try line. John Mann picked the ball out of the ruck, fed Ezenagu and he went over for his third try. Bollom's difficult conversion attempt was wide.

Hunter caught the restart but MK lost the ball in the ruck and Buzzards applied the pressure. Strong runs took them into MK's half and it took a fine tackle from Wells, knocking his man into touch, to end one move. MK rang the changes with Louis Rutter on for Bollom at Fullback, Harry Miller came on for Mori and played on the wing, with Chiromo moving to centre. Buzzards continued to attack but another fine tackle from Wells forced a bad pass and MK had a chance to move the ball through the backs, it got as far as McEwan who sold a great dummy and burst through the Buzzard defence, his long run was stopped just short of the try line.

It was by no means one way traffic but the MK defence held solid no matter how inventive the Buzzards tried to be and solid tackles by the new boys showed that much of the early season work was paying off.

A great break by George Clark deserved better than it got but an MK penalty for pulling back allowed Duffin to feed Ezenagu whose drive proved unstoppable and he drop-kicked to convert his fourth try of the morning.

The back end of the game saw some fierce and ferocious but fair play from both sides in what was quite blistering heat, and both sides are to be congratulated on their efforts so early in the season. As you watched it was sometimes necessary to remind yourself that MK were so far ahead, and almost to add insult to injury Chiromo went over for his hat-trick of tries after a terrific burst from Clark created oodles of space for him. Ezenagu just missed a difficult kick.

This Leighton Buzzard team get better every time we play them. They have a decent set of forwards, who probably shaded our pack on the day. If we played with eight forwards we might win more ball for our backs who will certainly threaten defences this season. There's still a tendency to run sideways or pass too early which gives the defence the advantage, but they have improved a lot - a testament to the coaching of India Najones.

Dan Hunter, as if reborn, played his socks off on the wing, Tom McEwan was very solid in the centre and Jon Mann partnered Will Holliday in the powerhouse like he was born to it. Sho Mori from Japan, making his debut, promised much as did Dylan Wells.

There is real pressure on places with 26 squad members and many showing great improvement over last season. It is down to all players to impress in training and win a starting berth against Buckingham in two weeks time.

Buckingham RUFC was no place for fair weather supporters on Sunday as MKRUFC under 14s scraped home against a revitalised Buckingham XV in atrocious conditions. What started as Welsh rain (light but wet) became English (heavy and fierce) as the second half developed, and Buckingham revelled in the growing deluge. On the way we were stopped by an old bearded gentleman, stood in front of a large boat, who asked if we knew where he could get hold of two Wombats at short notice, we told him to try Whipsnade and moved on. (an explanation of this joke can be found at the end of this article)

Encounters between these two sides have always been close and we looked forward to a thrilling encounter, the teeming rain suggested that it would be a game dominated by the forwards.

Once the players were changed, they and their entourage hiked the quarter of a mile down to the pitch, ensuring that all were thoroughly acclimatised to the conditions before play started. Rumour had it that Buckingham had lost a few players over the Summer, but what they lacked in numbers they made up for in size. MK were certainly not lacking in numbers. No fewer than 25 were warming up in the drizzle.

The Referee called the teams together before the start to inform them how he would be applying the new law variations - thus confusing many of the players before the game had started.

Milton Keynes, sporting their October MK Wolves tops, won the toss and Kicked off. Buckingham took the ball into a ruck and the MK forwards surged over the ball, another ruck and again the MK pack blew away their opposition setting up quick ball for the backs which they used well, passing the ball through several sets of hands - quite literally in the case of winger Chiromo - luckily McEwan was on hand to go down and flip it up again to Chiromo who held on this time and set of down the sideline and under the posts for the first try of the day. Bollom made no mistake with the conversion.

From the restart Buckingham looked for the instant reply, moving the ball well, but, as Leighton Buzzard discovered a fortnight ago, it's very difficult to penetrate this busy MK defence and great tackles from Lewis and Ryan forced Buckingham to resort to the kicking game. Bollom's trademark run followed by some good rucking and mauling by the forwards released Ezenagu who put the fear of god into the Bucks defence, running through at least two attempted tackles and then - with the line at his mercy - passed to Chiromo (synchronized running in the London Olympics?) who landed his second. Bollom's conversion - a little sloppy - hit the bar and went under. Many will know the feeling.

It was wet and there was probably too much haphazard kicking going on. There was kick and chase, kick and fall over, kick and miss, kick and knock on, kick and drop and kick and give possession away by both sides, but in the tight MK were achieving ascendancy over a bigger pack.

MK moved the ball quickly through the backs to Chiromo; he was caught and well tackled into touch. MK won the lineout and Bollom took the ball into a ruck where a Bucks player immediately dived over the ball. Unfortunately this was missed, but the referee did notice his failure to roll away from the ball so the penalty went the other way. This allowed Buckingham to relieve the pressure with a kick to touch.

A maul formed from the lineout and as Buckingham tried to pass Lewis appeared from nowhere to intercept and set off for the try line. He could have gone all the way if he's put his head down but he looked for support which was there in the form of Kieran Duffin who took a superb offload (synchronized running again) and went over for a real rugby try. Lovely! As was Bollom's conversion.

The restart squirted through Ezenagu's legs and over the MK goal line. This fumble seemeingly enraged the flying No.8 who proceeded to run the length of the field, handing off, changing direction and running through people in a way that reminded long standing supporters of a try in the under 8s - except for the handing off of course! It was a remarkable effort which Bollom duly converted. A better solo effort you wont see, except possibly by the same player, possibly next game!

Mori caught the restart; the game went through a period of rucks and scrums, with neither side dominant but with the ball moving closer and closer to the MK try line. Buckingham had a scrum on the MK 5 metre line and their No.8 picked up and powered over in the clutches of the fullback. The referee arrived, parted the bodies and awarded the try.

MK were dominant and the score a fair reflection of proceedings. This was in no small part due to the efforts of the pack. In the last moments of the half Lewis went off with a knock to his eye (replaced by Drew Fisher).

The second half saw the introduction of Esad for Clark, Dylan Wells for Hunter and Ben Ledingham for Newman.

The English rain was now soaking everyone and the wind upped its pace. But Duffin was kicking deep into Bucks territory and with the Bucks this half facing the wind many thought the second half would see more MK pressure and a rout likely.

Buckingham restarted with a deep kick and won a penalty 5 metres out for offside at a ruck. They tried to run the ball in but Marchbank stole the ball and Ezenagu kicked downfield. Buckingham brought it back with a strong run down the sideline but Fisher's fine tackle put his man into touch. Cook came on for Ryan, the MK pack won a couple of scrums against the head and Duffin booted the ball deep and Buckingham had to touch back for a 5 metre scrum. Ezanagu picked up and got over the line, instead of diving tried to place the ball in a mass of bodies. Once again, the referee arrived, bodies were parted, but this time no try awarded. 5m scrum again, same outcome. A third effort and once again Ezanagu heading for the line, but this time it was a dummy run - sharp thinking boys! Unfortunately an MK flanker was not bound to the scrum and Buckingham got a relieving penalty. From the ensuing lineout Will Holliday won the ball and from the ruck the ball went down the MK line and back again to Chiromo who, although tackled, was able to twist over in one movement to score in the corner. Bollom narrowly missed a difficult kick.

Mann came on for Woodruff and Forster came on for McEwan. More of the same then? Not at all. Substitutions were being made on both sides and some substantially larger players were appearing in the green and white hoops.

Buckingham's restart was returned with interest by Ezenagu a strong run from Bollom was his last act of the day as he was replaced by Rutter. Duffin was penalised for feeding the scrum - which he was doing - but so was the Buckingham Scrum half (and every scrum half in the world). Buckingham kicked downfield; Chiromo brought it back but was well tackled. Buckingham's little grubber kick caught MK by surprise but Marchbank reacted quickest and pounced on the ball. Buckingham were awarded a penalty when MK strayed offside and ran through some poor tackling to score. A difficult conversion attempt was put over.

Miller came on for Chiromo. Buckingham applied pressure from the restart, having all the possession. But MK defended doggedly with tackles form McKechnie and Wells and a great tackle from Rutter. Then another short penalty for something hard to call and another stoppable but unstopped try and good conversion altered the complexion of the game. The Bucks were really up for it now. The weather was unrelenting and although they were running into the teeth of it it was all Buckingham pressure. But time at least was on MK's side and when another Bucks stoppable try and good kick reduced the lead to just five points the whole of Milton Keynes was mightily relieved to hear the full time whistle.

So a game of two halves indeed and both sides should be praised to the hilt for providing such entertainment in the dreadful conditions. What made the win more enjoyable though arguably more difficult was not the weather but the success of the coaches in getting every player on the field at one time or another - all 25 of them. Well done all three. Some drier weather please.

The old bearded gentleman is Noah, the boat the ark, and clearly he was not in the right place to precure a pair of antipodean beasties.

"It's got nil - nil written all over it" That was the conclusion we were coming to as Milton Keynes under 14s fought out a wicked scoreless first half against Bedford Junior Blues at Field Lane on Sunday. On a cloudy but dry morning the Blues kicked off with both sides looking to avenge last season's tight but highly entertaining 19 - 19 draw. This time both sides were clearly wary of each other. Much of the half was played between the 22s with neither side able to punch the necessary holes in the other's defence. There were handling errors galore and something was going on in the scrums which even Brian Moore would have been hard pressed to explain. There was also a fair bit of chopsing going on which the referee did not take to kindly, and then Bedford's No. 9 incurred a free kick for not putting the ball straight into the scrum. Hang on. This is 2008 and such misdemeanours ( for that is what the laws say they are) have not been penalised in the Six Nations for years. Perhaps there was something else going on. Tugging, pulling, yanking, binding as opposed to scrummaging? Well it wasn't cricket and the referee found a way to deal with it.

MK's Plan A, the No. 8 picking up at the base and getting the ball out to the flying wingers, was not working. The Blues were quick on the draw. So, Plan B. The No. 8 hoofs the ball and the flying wingers chase it. This wasn't working either as fly as they did the Blues were there in time and the ball could not be recycled. Bedford had good runners too but MK were able to bring them down. Outside half Lewis spent so much time tackling rather than receiving the ball that he had to go off injured before half time. It was fierce but a little one dimensional - nine, rather than ten man rugby in a way, yet coaches on both sides were unhappy with the ability to clear out rucks, Michael Woodruff honourably excepted. When the Blues dropped out after another Chiromo chase for an Ezenagu hoof just failed, the No. 8 caught the ball, the maul formed, and flanker Ryan emerged to try to find Chiromo again. But the pass was forward and another MK opportunity was gone. The rest of the half saw a try-saving tackle by fullback Bollom, a Duffin kick and chase which just fell short, and the Blues knock on in sight of the MK line. But it didn't see a score.

"Twenty, thirty, one, two, zoo" - or so it sounded. What could this be? A line-out call? Possibly. Indeed it was. But the throw that accompanied it meant as little to either side as it did to the spectators, and throughout the game so far the line-outs were not of the best. Clean ball was not on the agenda. Tough it was, but not pretty. Indeed the Blues were getting the better of the scrums now, winning a number against the head, but again were unable to make much space. MK were penalised for a high tackle and a Blue went on a powerful run. At this juncture legs should have been the target but they were not and the Blue cut a mighty swathe through the MK lines for some 25 metres or so until the Blues knocked on again. There was a lot of this on both sides. Still most action was between the 22s but then MK had a scrum on the Blues 22 and the ball went out to the right wing, but Teflon struck again. Mad Dog Marchbank was spoken to by the referee for blatant hair pulling in an attempt to prevent Ezenagu being strangled by an errant Blue. The kick went into the MK22 but again the Blues knocked on. Hands were not good. But their scrum was still working. This time they won against the head and the ball went down their line. Bollom made a last gasp tackle but the ball was grounded. A higher tackle may have done the job. Was the grounding the result of a stretch or a double movement? The former said the referee, and the conversion was good.

"Seven minutes to go" said the referee as the players made their way to the half way line. Still time but not a lot. There then followed what was, in the context of this game, as spectacular and as clinical a piece of play as you could wish for. MK won a line-out in the Blues 22. The ball passed from Ezenagu to Chiromo and back again, and back again, and back again and the winger was pushed over the line by what seemed like a dozen or more MK players. The referee had a look. Chiromo's hand was not the only one on the ball but there was no hand underneath the ball. Control had been maintained and the try was given. The Blues charged the conversion but Ezenagu had struck it sweetly. Seven each and game on.

Minutes left and the Blues were pinged for offside some 15 metres in their own half. What to do? Captain Duffin asked Ezenagu to go for the posts. It was not an easy kick. Bedford seemed uncertain as to whether they could charge a goal attempt and after his first attempt at goal went to the left of the posts a spot of ill discipline on behalf of a Blue prop, whose waving arms were seen as decidedly unfair, saw Ezenagu given another chance at goal. This time the ball sailed through the posts and MK were ahead. Hardly any time left but the Blues were up for one more shove. From a scrum on the MK 22 they charged forward and just when it seemed easier to score they dropped the ball. The referee did not drop his whistle. He blew it and the game was over.

Immediately after the whistle Coach Holliday called them all together and told them that he was not quite sure why they had won but they had, and they should all be mighty proud of themselves. Words like tenacity and guts and stickability (if indeed that is a word) come to mind. It may not have been the best game of rugby but rugby it certainly was, full of many mistakes but also full of blood, sweat and heart.

We're mighty proud of you too.

On a damp and wet morning MK under 14s made their way to Brackley for a hastily arranged fixture. That this fixture took place at all was due to the hard work and perseverance of Fixtures Secretary Ann Duffin, who worked tirelessly to find a replacement after Olney pulled out of the original tie. The clocks had gone back so there was no excuse for late arrivals but of the 29 registered players there were 11 no-shows. Half term brings its difficulties, no doubt for all teams.

The MK contingent made the short journey to Brackley through fine rain and waited patiently outside for the coaches and the bacon to arrive. The game was played on the sloping first team pitch right outside the Clubhouse, though the slope was not to be a factor in the game, neither was the rain, which ceased before play commenced.

The last time these teams met, at Under 10, MK scored 100 points without reply over the two games. A look at the Brackley squad warming up suggested it would not be so easy this time as they possessed some "big lads" which the boys made plenty of comment on. Their pack was much larger than MK's and looked very determined.

MK were missing several front row players, but Cook and Mann ably fitted the bill. The rejuvenated Mann, whose hard work over the summer was now paying off and he was now becomming a presence on the pitch.

MK kicked off, Brackley took the ball into a maul and were driven back by a great shove from the MK forwards. Oliver Anderson emerged and made a powerful break forward and then Glyn Lewis took it on until he too was stopped by a clump of Bracks. MK were awarded the scrum, just 10 metres out, Brackley won it and tried to break free but fine tackling from Ryan, Duffin and Ryan again forced them back over their try line. The MK pack made no mistake this time. A great heal from Cook saw the ball emerge sweetly from the tunnel and scrum half Kieran Duffin set right wing Orama Chiromo free to go over in the corner for the lead. Zachary Ezenagu missed the difficult conversion.

Brackley recovered their own restart, MK hands in a ruck gave Brackley a penalty and failing to retreat gave them another 10 metres. Another penalty for lying on the ball saw them edge ever closer to the MK line but they knocked on and Ezenagu kicked to relieve the pressure.

Fly half Lewis was adamant that the MK scrum could hold its own as long as the forwards got their body positioning right and lost no opportunity to tell them. And he may well have been right as MK were giving as good as they were getting in the tight.

Flanker Essad Alzubeidi made a great break and from the recycling Ezenagu kicked high and long into the Brackley half. The scrum that followed was won and again Lewis moved into space. Then something odd happened. Brackley were awarded a scrum on their own 22. The MK back row applied immediate pressure, ably supported by Duffin whose sniping at the scrums has become a bit of a trademark, and the Brackley fullback saw no alternative but to run the ball back over his own line and touch down. At which point the referee awarded MK a penalty "for taking the ball back into his own goal area". The great minds on the touchline and on the clubhouse balcony were somewhat confused by this but probably on the basis of not looking a gift horse in the mouth Duffin passed swiftly to Ezenagu and the lead doubled, but it was a conversion too far for Ffred Bollom.

Cook knocked on the restart, Brackley won the scrum and ran at MK, they won a penalty for a high tackle and ran again, down to within 10 metres of the line. They passed, but it was so slow that Lewis was in their line and tackled man and ball, or rather man without ball - another penalty for Brackley and they ran past some poor defending for the try. Just as the conversion was taken a loud shout from the MK team huddle was interpreted, understandably, by the referee as "ungentlemanly conduct" (As if !! It was, in fact, the team's loud repost to the Coaches asking them if they were really up for it after the Brackley score) and the kick was ordered to be retaken. The second bite at the cherry fared no better. No conversion, but game on.

It was no more than Brackley deserved as they has worked hard and their forwards were probably shading it. However, within minutes Alzubeidi had picked up from a maul to go over under the posts and collect his debut try for the club. "A giveaway" shouted the Brackley Coach, but what it required was quick thinking and the ability to run straight and fast. Alzubeidi has this in spades. Ezenagu had no trouble with the conversion.

From the kick off Brackley were attacking but MK were awarded a scrum between their own 22 and 10 metre line. MK won it and Dan Forster made a powerful run before being stopped. The ball went loose, the No. 8 picked it up and this time surpassed himself by running, anything but straight, not so much in a big arc as in a horseshoe, a full 80 metres, evading or handing off a good many attempted tackles to touch down under the posts. Truly remarkable. Bollom converted.

Cook caught the restart and ran hard, he stayed on his feet until his pack arrived and drove Brackley deep into their own half, MK passed but the ball was knocked on and the chance lost. Brackley passed but were stopped by a fine tackle from Forster as the Referee signalled half time

Half Time: Brackley 5-24 Milton Keynes

The restart was caught by Lewis but then knocked on. Brackley won the scrum and went forward. They were no mugs and their flying centre was just forced into touch with the try line beckoning. Some thought the scoreline flattered MK a little at this stage but a lot of hard work was being done, no little of it again by the back row and scrum half. A huge hoof into the Brackley 22 . Ryan hared after it, got it, but knocked it on. The MK scrum was solid, Brackley went back but the ball came out on their side. They picked it up but the speed of Ryan and Duffin again put the tremors up the Brackley defence, the ball was dropped and Alzubeidi picked it up and, running straight and fast again, went over. Ezenagu made the difficult kick look easy enough.

MK decided to ring the changes and on came, Gould for Ryan, Fisher for Forster and Miller for Rutter.

Brackley would not let their heads go down they were proving to be a gutsy side. Again their flying centre made a powerful run down the right wing only to touch the touchline with his right foot. MK were pegged back in their own 22 and at one point it seemed that a neat interception would allow Brackley to cut the deficit but the players were called back for an earlier infringement. MK won a scrum, Ezenagu kicked and Duffin chased, he made a great tackle and a ruck formed. Brackley tried to pass but again they made no progress and knocked on. MK forwards were getting their act together and won the scrum, Duffin kicked, Gould hared downfield and recovered the ball superbly. MK were penalised when Bollom was unable to move away from the ball and lost another 10 yards when he tried to explain his predicament to the Referee too forcibly. The MK forwards were rucking and scrumming well, Anderson had a strong run and, from a ruck, Alzubeidi picked up and powered over for his hat-trick. Ezenagu converted from in front of the posts.

The restart was knocked on, the Brackley no.8 picked up at the base of the scrum and set off on a strong run but he was well tackled by Miller. MK tried to pass but knocked on. Brackley won a penalty and ran but knocked on. They looked to pass but again were too slow and Lewis was waiting in their backfield to intercept - the referee deemed that he was offside and awarded the penalty, Brackley took it quickly and MK were penalised for not being back 10 metres, this took Brackley to within 10 metres and they drove for the line but were held up, much to the consternation of one of the Brackley players who, after an altercation with one of his teammates, was sent for an early hotdog. Brackley won the scrum and went over unopposed for the try. The drop kick conversion attempt failed and full time signalled.

So what to make of it all? Four played and four won. Was this one unusual? Five out of six tries scored by forwards is unusual. The front row were singled out by the referee for a pre-kick off pep talk, and they, along with the whole pack, deserve credit. In the absence of Mad Dog, Billy Cook stepped in as hooker as to the manor born and played a blinder. Jon Mann and Anderson turned many a scrum to MK's advantage. Will Holliday and Michael Woodruff in the engine room provided shove aplenty and more, and the back row bit hard. They shaded the forward battle against a pack at least a stone a man heavier.

A good win for Milton Keynes, though the scoreline doesn't reflect how well Brackley played. In Alzubeidi they have found a player who runs as hard and fast as Ezenagu and, once he learns the flankers art, will be a great addition to the squad. The MK wingers were virtual spectators today and there were only two lineouts in the whole game.

The Brackley coach (who clearly had been on our website) told his players, after the game, that MK boasted six 'Elite' players, including four who played for England .... not strictly true .... at the moment!

On a grey November morning Milton Keynes welcomed the team from Aylesbury, late replacements, thanks to more hard work from Anne Duffin, for Reading Abbey who were unable to supply ateam due to injury and School trips.

Aylesbury were out early and brought the rain with them, MK sensibly stayed in the changing room until 20 minutes before kick off.

Aylesbury were short of a full team and MK supplied George Clarke and John Mann to play at Lock.

Milton Keynes started well, the opening kickoff caught by Duffin who drove forward, he was joined in the mail by the forwards who drove downfield. MK lost the ball but Aylesbury knocked on and from the scrum MK moved swiftly towards the Aylesbury line. Aylesbury cleared to touch but MK came back at them through strong runs from Owen Thomas, Alzubeidi and Lewis. Again Aylesbury kicked to touch when under tremendous pressure but Marchbank²s strong run ended in a penalty to MK and Mad Dog took the ball and ran in for the opening score. Ezenagu converted.

MK knocked on the restart but then Aylesbury knocked on too. MK won the scrum and passed, Lewis broke through and kicked ahead, from the ruck Alzubeidi ran strongly. Another scrum and MK passed again but the ball went loose, Full Back McEwan was on hand to recover but was forced into touch.

MK won the lineout but a forward pass gave Aylesbury a scrum, the scrums were causing problems for the Referee as they kept wheeling but when the packs did manage to keep one straight MK nicked one against the head. Anderson ran hard, Aylesbury ran it back but were forced into touch. Another win against the head saw Ezenagu run well, Duffin took it on, handed off to Ezenagu and he got to within 5 metres before being forced into touch. Aylesbury won the ball but a good tackle from Marchbank and a strong run from Alzubeidi took the ball to the 1 metre line but MK conceded a penalty and Aylesbury kicked downfield. MK brought the ball back and Duffin picked the ball out of a ruck and went over for the score. Ezenagu's difficult conversion attempt was just short.

Marchbank caught the restart, Ezenagu ran and then kicked ahead, as the ball bounced over the tryline he pounced on it but the Referee deemed correctly that he had not grounded the ball and awarded a 22 drop out. Lewis caught the kick, MK passed, a great run from McEwan deserved a try but he was caught just a metre shy of the line. Happily Mori was in support and picked up and dived over for his first try for the club. Ezenagu's difficult conversion attempt was just wide.

The restart was knocked on and Aylesbury had a scrum deep in MK territory. More good work from the forwards won the ball, Ezenagu decided it was about time he got a try so he picked up from the base of the scrum and tore downfield with Aylesbury in hot pursuit but they couldn't catch him and he scored under the posts, giving himself an easy conversion, and the Referee signalled Half Time.

Half Time: Milton Keynes 24 - 0 Aylesbury

Cook replaced Newman, McEwan moved to Centre replacing Mori, Bollom came on at Full back and Gould replaced Woodruff.

After the restart the teams exchanged penalties resulting in lineout for Aylesbury. MK won it and moved the ball deep into opposition territory. From a ruck, the ball moved through the backs to Fisher who spotted a gap and went in for his debut try. Ezenagu made the conversion.

Miller came on for Forster, McKechnie came on for Ryan.

A forward pass gave Aylesbury a scrum in MK territory, hands in the ruck gave them a penaly about 15 metres out and the ran it for the score through some poor defending. The conversion was wide.

The game changed in Aylesbury's favour as MK lost the discipline they had showed earlier and began to give away silly penalties. The Scrums had caused the Referee some consternation throughout the game. Now he penalised an MK prop for going into the scrum at an angle (he had been warned). There were further penalties for offside and tackling man without ball and The No.8 was penalised for not crouching at the command (perhaps he thought he said slouch), this took the ball to within 5 metres of the MK line but Ezenagu's talking too had fired him up and he made two great tackles in quick succession, then ripped the ball and moved downfield with half the Aylesbury squad hanging off him. Mk moved away from the danger zone but another penalty gave the ball back to Aylesbury, they kicked to touch, won the lineout and went in for another try. The kick was made.

MK restarted and gave away another penalty. Aylesbury kicked deep and chased hard. Miller got the ball and set off on a 40 metre run, unfortunately is was mostly sideways and he was forced into touch having made only 10 metres forward progress but having cleared the danger. Aylesbury won the lineout and Clarke went on a strong run for them, taking the ball to within 5 metres but they could break free of the maul and MK were awarded the scrum, the game ending soon after.

It was a decent performance from MK against an Aylesbury side who clearly haven't kept up with the progress that this team have made over the years. The forwards did well against a larger pack, winning opposition scrums and lineouts. The rucking still needs some attention, the players need to remember what they have learned in training. The backs are still improving and there is clear evidence of decision making rather than just running with the ball or passing it as the mood takes them. MK lost their discipline in the second half and allowed Aylesbury back into the game - they'd probably been watching England.

A bye in the first round meant a trip to High Wycombe for this Bucks Cup Quarter Final encounter. MK had played them twice and beaten them convincingly but there were rumours and counter rumours about the possible inclusion of Royal Grammar School players and as the rain came down High Wycombe were out early for their warm up and looked big. MK looked a little sluggish, but that could be down to the freezing cold and the rain. One MK player had forgotten his boots but warmed up in his school shoes, much to his father's dismay.

MK kicked off and Glyn Lewis was immediately pinged for being a lifetime offside at a Wycombe put in. Within no time at all Elliot Ryan was called for hands on the floor and although we may not have known it at the time we were seeing the development of a pattern, namely a lot of penalties most going the hosts' way. Whether this was because our boys to a man are a bunch of ill-disciplined, unprincipled cheats or because of something else it certainly livened up proceedings and drove the touchline debate. The referee was heard to remark that next time it would be the sin bin for hands in the loose. What was interesting though was that despite these penalties High Wycombe had not left their own half. Then, with the ball loose, Zachary Ezenagu, Drew Fisher, Lewis and Kieran Duffin all combined, the last two in a neat scissors, to put the scrum half and captain over in the right corner. Ezenagu missed the tricky conversion.

HW's restart was caught by Woodruff and he ran hard through the middle of their defence. Duffin kicked downfield but good running from HW brought the ball back into MK's half. The MK forwards were rucking well today and the ball soon found itself moving through MK hands to Ezenagu who set off on a long run down the sideline and scored under the post. His conversion was successful.

The Wycs had plenty of good fast players, their scrum was giving MK a good battle, and given the penalties they were winning it was as well that hooker Mad Dog Marchbank decided to wait for nothing but charge directly at any quick penalty takers. It reaped rewards on more than one occasion as despite the penalty count the Wycs were not really threatening the MK line

It was a good start from MK but HW had looked good and there was a sense that if they could get their act together they could get back into this game.

Another penalty for offside saw HW attempt a kick to touch, but it stayed infield and returned by the strong running Bollom, Anderson took it on further. Good passing and offloading from the MK backs took the ball close to the tryline, a good tackle from the dangerous HW winger saw him have to go off injured. HW were under pressure and several times they kicked to try to clear the danger, one of the kicks went sideways as they began to panic but MK couldn't break through.

The MK flankers were firing on all cylinders and when Essad Alzubeidi went for the line only to knock on when he could have touched down the resulting scrum five was memorable for the referee announcing that he was not prepared to accept any "afters". Ruth Rendell herself would have then found it hard to explain the mystery of how, after further perorations on good behaviour, the Wyc who clotheslined Ffred Bollom was let off with less than a murmer.

MK were pressing in the Wycombe twenty two with their familiar bees around the honeypot approach, pressurising everything, and an element of panic was beginning to show in the Wyc's camp. From an MK lineout ("one, two, igloo!!") Wycombe tipped the ball over the line, as a Wycombe player picked up the ball Holliday was on him in an instant , as he went to ground he popped the ball up for his teammate but Marchbank flew through the air caught the ball and touched down for the try. Great work from the MK forwards and second try of the season and the third of his career for Mad Dog Marchbank. Ezenagu's difficult kick was just wide and the Referee signalled the end of the half.

Half Time: High Wycombe 0-19 Milton Keynes

Newman on for Clarke (injury), Rutter on for Bollom (injury)

Wycombe started the second half well, running at MK and passing well. MK were caught offside again though the HW scrum half was definitely making a double movement when taking the ball out of a scrum and thus drawing the MK flankers offside. HW were trying hard but couldn't break through the MK defence and when MK did win the ball back they kicked downfield, Chiromo recovered the ball, Ezenagu ran for the line but was stopped short, Anderson took it on and was almost over but then Marchbank dived over and touched down. The Referee was unsighted and by the time he was in position HW had their hands on the ball and he called a 5 metre scrum. Mad Dog objected to the attention of the physio, his Mum, but had to leave the field to be replaced by Cook.

HW won the scrum and cleared downfield. Fisher came on for Wells. Great work in the ruck won the ball for the MK backs but they ran sideways instead of forwards and were called for crossing, HW kicked deep and the ball went into touch. MK won the lineout, Lewis kicked and HW knocked on. Forster came on for Owen. Ezenagu picked up from the back of the scrum and ran hard for 50m, some poor tackling allowed him to go all the way for his second try of the match, which he duly converted without the aid of a tee.

Mann borrowed some boots and came on for Alzubeidi - going into the second row, Holliday moving to Flanker.

Newman caught the restart and took the ball into a ruck, Cook popped the ball up for flying wing Chiromo. It was just a question of how many seconds it would take him to reach the line. Your correspondent timed it at 7.8. Ezenagu added the two points.

A final flourish from Ezenagu, propelled forward by the tireless Michael Woodward, almost gave MK their sixth try, and Lewis, Ryan and Rory Newman were just kept out before the two minutes signalled by the referee dissipated into the air in two seconds and the final whistle went.

So a Bucks Cup semi final for the second year running. A good performance with some high octane rugby and perhaps a little try-line madness, but six wins on the run indicates a team growing in confidence and expectation. There are some big fish to fry in the New Year so perhaps a little moderation over Christmas would not be amiss.

With half the team absent on County duty, putting up decorations or injured, Milton Keynes U14 showed their strength in depth with a convincing victory over Daventry. The team made the short trip up the A5 and arrived in good time only to find out that the pitches were waterlogged. Fortunately Daventry had arranged an alternative venue and, once the Players had changed, a convoy of vehicles set off to find it. The convoy soon became fragmented but only one parent failed to make their destination. A search party was sent out and the parent was rescued in time for his two passengers to take the field before kick off.

Daventry's squad were depleted by flu so they played an under 15, MK loaned them a couple of players and the teams played 14 a side, dropping the No.8.

The pitch had a significant slope and MK chose to play uphill in the first half. Gould took the opening kick into a ruck, Daventry won it but could make little progress and MK then moved the ball forward through several phases of play, both forwards and backs taking the ball on, the forwards rucking superbly, all the way down to the try line where Clark picked up and finished the drive with a try... Excellent rugby from MK. Alzubeidi has kicking duties for the day but his difficult conversion attempt was just wide.

Daventry 0-5 Milton Keynes

McEwan took the restart and ran well. MK won a lineout and passed, McEwan had another good run and, from a ruck, Alzubeidi picked up and ran hard, going in for the score. His difficult conversion attempt was just wide.

Daventry 0-10 Milton Keynes

It was becoming clear that, though they had plenty of enthusiasm, Daventry lacked the skills and discipline to compete against MK's well coached team. The Referee was very lenient with some of their tackling and their inadvertently wandering offside which were not deliberate attempts to cheat but due to a lack of knowledge. He did, however, clamp down on the swearing....eventually.

MK's 3rd try came as a result of good work from backs. Good rucking won the ball for MK and it moved through the backs to Wells who went on a long run down the sideline, he was caught but the support was there and from the maul, the ball moved through the backs again, to the opposite wing, where Thomas took it in for his debut try for the club. Alzubeidi converted.

Daventry 0-17 Milton Keynes

Fisher took the restart and went on a long run, a maul formed and the MK forwards drove it towards the line. The maul collapsed and Alzubeidi was on hand to go in for his second try of the day, he followed that with his second conversion.

Daventry 0-24 Milton Keynes

The restart didn't travel 10 yards but the Referee played on, Daventry attempted to kick the ball but only succeeded in catching a couple of MK heads and MK kicked to touch.

A wonderful dummy from Mori gave him room to run, Wells took it on, but a knock on gave Daventry the opportunity to kick to touch. Clark won the lineout and drove for the line, the forwards were with him and pushed him over for the score. Alzubeidi converted from a difficult angle and the Referee signalled Half Time.

Half Time: Daventry 0-31 Milton Keynes

McKechnie and Forster returned to the fold and Thomas and Rutter joined Daventry for the second half. McKechnie went to Flanker, Alzubeidi moving to Centre. Fisher went to Full back, Forster replaced Thomas on the wing.

Daventry ran back the kick off but knocked on. Good runs from Lewis and Newman moved the ball into the opposition half. The Ball moved through the backs to Clark, what was he doing in the line? No matter, he ambled towards the try line until a cry of "George!...Run!" from his coach helped him quicken his pace and he ran it in under the posts. Alzubeidi's conversion attempt was wide.

Daventry 0-36 Milton Keynes

After the restart the teams traded possession. A strong run from Alzubeidi was stopped by a magnificent tackle from Rutter. Daventry ran the ball at MK but fine tackles from Mori, McEwan and Forster pushed them back. Good MK passing and a run from Forster took the ball into Daventry's half. Lewis picked up from a ruck and went for the line - he was tackled just 2 metres short but Cook was in support and he picked up and ran in for the score. Alzubeidi converted.

Daventry 0-43 Milton Keynes

From the restart McKechnie and Lewis ran well but Lewis was bundled into touch on half way. Daventry took a quick lineout and made good progress through a disorganised back division before being stopped, Clark had a good run and MK passed but knocked on. The MK forwards were dominating the scrums and the Referee decided that, as they were going downhill, the scrums should be uncontested. A decision made in the interests of safety as, already, one big MK shove had left the Daventry pack in heap. Daventry won the ball and their big flanker went on a long run down the sideline, he was stopped just short of the line but Daventry picked the ball out of the ruck and went in for the score. It was no more than they deserved, despite being totally outplayed and outclassed they had not given up and they joyously celebrated the try.

Daventry 5-43 Milton Keynes

Alzubeidi moved back to Flanker, Ryan moving to Centre.

MK's restart was allowed to bounce and Mori was first to the ball, unfortunately he knocked on and, from the scrum, Daventry kicked to touch. McKechnie had a good run but he was penalised for not releasing. Daventry ran the penalty and made good progress downfield. They burst from a ruck and looked to be going in until a tap tackle from McEwan brought his man down. MK won the ball back and Newman drove downfield. Good work from the backs released Wells and he ran in for his debut try. Alzubeidi's kick, without a tee, was low.

Daventry 5-48 Milton Keynes

Ryan caught the restart and ran well. Lewis kicked, Newman took the ball out of a ruck and ran hard but was stopped 5 metres short. Daventry won a scrum and kicked, McEwan caught it and ran for the line. He was caught just short but, again, Newman was on hand to pick up and dive over for the try. All of the front row had now scored - reward for the good work they had put in all game. Alzubeidi converted.

Daventry 5-55 Milton Keynes

Surely that was that? But no, either the Referee's watch had stopped or he was enjoying himself too much and the game continued. MK took the restart and passed through the backs to Wells, he went on a long run, passed to Clark and he went in for the score. Alzubeidi converted thus establishing a new team record for number of conversions in a game.

Daventry 5-62 Milton Keynes

Lewis caught the restart and ran well. Daventry were awarded a penalty and ran it. They won another penalty and ran again, making good progress. They passed to Thomas and he had a good run, taking the ball into MK's half. Daventry passed and ran close to the line but Cook picked the ball out of the ruck and ran well, Mk looked to pass but dropped the ball and Daventry drove towards the line, going over in the corner. The Referee signalled the try, despite the scorer admitting that he was held up and finally signalled Full Time after the Conversion was missed.

Daventry are still rebuilding after losing many of their players a couple of years ago and there is clearly a lot of work to do. Nevertheless, MK's performance was impressive and they showed what they can do when their Premier players are absent. It was good to see the front row all getting scores and good to see Thomas and Wells getting their first tries for the team. The forwards worked as one unit and dominated the Daventry pack. The backs passed well and supported each other. The victory is a testament to the hard work put in in training and shows that the squad have great strength in depth

As usual, official meteorological predictions were off the mark, and with a minimal amount of rain on the prior evening the Greenleys pitch looked perfectly viable, although there was a central patch of mud which looked likely to make restarts difficult. The morning itself was bright and sunny, with a light wind which was sharper than it at first appeared. The Old Scouts looked numerous and large, but not terribly dextrous in their warm up, which was an indication of what was to come. Disputes in the Bollom and Lewis families led to the absence of one parent and one player, to the detriment of both the team's playing strength and reporting function.

There were welcome returns for Dan Hunter from injury and Robert Friend from enforced retirement.

Milton Keynes, looking resplendent (for about two minutes) in their new grey jerseys, forced a knock-on from the kick-off and Referee Manley took his time settling the first scrum, won confidently in the end by MK who showed good intent, if a little hesitancy, in their passing, but demonstrated excellent support to retain possession of the ball in a sequence of rucks as they worked their way up and across the slope, the OS defence eventually running out of numbers allowing Duffin to cross near the left corner flag. Ezenagu's conversion attempt against the wind was valiant but unsuccessful.

There was some uncertainty in MK's calling for the ball after the kick-off, but the over-enthusiasm of the OS led to them going over the ball. A couple of ineffective kicks from the penalty - well, it was difficult to lift boots out of the sticky mud - led to a line out. MK won the lineout and passed through the backs, little progress was made as the backs were too static - possibly due to the conditions - but Chiromo managed to find some space and ran hard. Newman took the ball on but was tackled just short of the line, he fed the ball back and Ezenagu had the simple task of picking the ball up and putting it down over the line for the score. His conversion attempt from under the posts was successful.

The restart was knocked on and OS awarded a scrum. This was the start of a period of OS pressure which saw the ball stay in the MK half. OS burst through the middle from the scrum, but Bollom, more of a third centre than a goalkeeper, smothered the move. Another short kick was followed up by Dylan with a storming tackle giving an opportunity for Orama to get away but his hands let him down.

Both teams tried to pass but the muddy ball was proving troublesome and there were a great number of drops and knocks on. OS kept the pressure on and several times MK kicked to try to relieve it. Eventually they broke free via a good run from Alzubeidi, but his first ever pass was unfortunately forward - let's hope the disappointment doesn't stop him trying to offload the ball in the tackle!

Again the teams traded kicks, then from a ruck, Ezenagu picked up and went on a strong run. He looked certain to score but was tackled magnificently by the Full Back. Ezenagu had the presence of mind to pop the ball up for Friend to run in. He touched down but the Referee noticed that he had put a foot out of bounds and the try was disallowed. OS took a quick 22 drop out and MK knocked on giving OS breathing space. They ran and passed but chose the route through the mid pitch mire and could not break through the solid MK defence. They edged closer to the line but a penalty for not releasing gave MK the ball and Ezenagu ran down the blind side. With Friend in support this time they mirrored their roles of five minutes previously, except this time Ezenagu planted the ball under the posts carefully and converted easily.

The OS team saw more possession before half time, but were guilty of over-elaboration and lack of pace on to the ball, putting them under pressure in the backs. MK were also a bit static in the backs but the forwards were supporting them terrifically and turning over rucks almost at will, except when Ryan, like all good wing forwards should, was caught marginally offside in his enthusiasm.

The Coaches rang the changes at half time, Cook came on for Newman, Gould for Woodruff, Thomas for Wells and Forster for Mori.

OS kicked off and Duffin returned it, with interest, into touch. MK won the lineout and passed down the line to Chiromo. He ran for the line, was caught but popped the ball to Ezenagu. He was caught in a crowd of players but none of them made a tackle and he ran back in the opposite direction, threw a real dummy, and in under the posts, leaving the OS players asking why no-one had tackled him. He successfully converted.

A series of rucks followed the restart. MK were dominant and looked to pass but time and again the ball was dropped. OS could not capitalise on this and, though they passed well themselves they were too slow and too static and could make no progress. A high tackle on Bollom saw MK awarded a penalty in their own half, the ball was tossed to Alzubeidi, and he brushed off several despairing tackles to slice through under the posts, making Ezenagu's conversion straightforward.

Rutter on for Bollom.
OS restarted, Ezenagu caught it and ran and kicked downfield. OS kicked it back and Marchbank ran well but was forced into touch. Another OS kick, another Marchbank run into touch.

From a ruck MK moved the ball through the backs to Thomas who ran for the line, he looked certain to score but the OS Fullback produced another stunning tackle to stop him. While the Full back received treatment McKechnie came on for Ryan.

The remainder of the game saw the rejigged Mk pack demonstrating that they could ruck and maul effectively as well, even if handling and kicking were proving awkward and there was a lack of discipline in retreating ten metres from penalties. MK's tackling was proving much more effective than that of OS, with the giant OS right winger being hauled down several times when he looked as if he might get through the MK defences, OS having worked out too late that the best place to attack was down the wings away from the mudhole in the middle of the pitch. Sadly, Alzubeidi was yellow carded late in the game for retaliating in an unnecessary squabble with a similarly punished OS forward, and the game ended with Robert doing several passing impersonations of Gavin Henson, which confused his teammates as much as it did the opposition!

OS had not given up and were pressing hard for a deserved try. They won a penalty deep in MK territory and ran for the line, a maul formed, an OS player broke free and dived for the line but he dropped the ball and the Referee signalled Full Time.

It was a good performance in difficult conditions, but the scoreline didn't reflect the commitment of OS who kept going until the end. The MK victory was built on solid forward play, dominating rucks, mauls and lineouts and energetic support as a team, with a killer punch applied when they took the ball blind rather than play "stuck in the mud"- tactics they would do well to remember for the rest of the season!

That this game took place at all was due to the efforts of a small group of players who turned up the day before, with buckets and spades, to treat those areas of the pitch still suffering the effects of the winter weather. That and a warm drying wind meant that the pitch was in good condition by the time Wellingborough began their warm up.

Given that they had not played for five weeks nor seen much grass for most of that time, and that Wellingborough had beaten them by four tries to one in their last encounter, they could have been forgiven for a few stomach butterflies as Wellingborough began proceedings, but when the kick off failed to make the requisite ten metres it soon became clear that both sides were a bit rusty.

MK opted for and won the scrum and good work from the forwards moved them downfield but Wellingborough won the ball back and kicked to touch. Holliday tipped the ball to Duffin, good runs from McEwan and Alzubeidi took the ball to the 22. A Wellingborough scrum was won by MK and they passed well but a penalty for not releasing in a ruck allowed Wellingborough to kick to touch.

The first half comprised a considerable number of poor and half tackles, poor hands, and Ouija-board passes ("Is there anybody there?") on both sides, and a number of silly penalties were conceded for such things as holding on to the ball too long on the ground and running into your own player in front of you. Ah well.

Wellingborough passed and kicked their way deep into MK territory, they won a scrum on the MK 5m line and looked to have scored from a blind side move but the winger knocked on over the line. A let off.

This must have caused some consternation in the MK ranks and Zachary Ezenagu responded by taking what is know in the other game as route one, the big hoof upfield and the chase. The hoof took the ball into the Wells corner within the 22 and few people can match the big Number 8 for pace. He got to the ball first but knocked it on. So a Wells scrum some seven metres from their own line. Dragging from the depths of their knowledge the pack realised that a disruptive shove was the order of the day in these circumstances. This duly came. Wellingborough won the scrum but they had bad ball and they went to kick but this was bad as well and it went straight to Oliver Anderson. Nonplussed though he probably was he pushed forward, others joined him, and out of the ensuing melee flanker Essad Al-Zubeidi picked up and went over to open the scoring. Ezenagu missed the difficult kick.

Bollom caught the restart and ran well but his good offload was dropped. wellingborough won the scrum but knocked on. duffin launched a huge kick downfield, Wellingborough tried to pass their way out of trouble but dropped the ball. Clark picked up and ran well but was forced into touch. MK won the lineout, Ezenagu chipped into the corner but Wellingborough were first to the ball and grounded it. Their 22 drop out was blocked by McEwan but MK couldn't capitalize and Wellingborough managed to clear their lines.

The teams exchanged kicks, Wellingborough putting the ball into touch. MK won the lineout and passed. They were awarded a penalty when the Wellingborough fly half lifted John Marchbank high in the air followed by not enough "looking after", though it was not a real spear tackle. They were awarded a penalty when the Wellingborough fly half attempted to slam dunk Marchbank. They ran and passed their way to the 5m line but knocked on. Wellingborough won the scrum and kicked but a great run from Bollom and some good passing brought the ball back to within a metre of the line.the ball was moved out to chiromo but he was forced into touch just short of the line. Wellingborough won the lineout but their clearing kick was blocked. Alzubeidi drove for the line but was caught, from the ruck Clark picked up and dove over but he was held up and the Referee signalled the end of the half.

half fime

Half time impressions were myriad and mixed. MK had improved as the game went on and the line-out was pretty solid, but a lack of aggression, poor tackling and poor hands as well as a tendency to play the game too narrowly thereby allowing the Wellingborough drift defence to counter wider attackers successfully were picked on. And there was too much kicking - too much route one. All of these were reinforced by a Churchillian tour de force from Coach Ed Holliday in which he demanded a try in the first five minutes of the second half. It reminded your correspondent of Phil Bennett's 1977 speech to the Welsh team at Cardiff against England - "....they have stolen our water, our coal, our iron, our land and our women, and I would remind you gentlemen that it is these b******ds that we are playing this afternoon".

Not that he was there of course. And it worked a treat, proving that contrary to much opinion and perhaps experience, the boys (or at least the Coach's son) do listen.

Forster relaced Fisher, Ryan replaced Mann and Mori replaced Owen.

Duffins kick off didn't travel 10 metres and Wellingborough chose the scrum on half way. Both sides looked to pass early on, from a ruck Duffin found Holliday, his pass to Ezenagu was timed perfectly, Ezenagu released Chiromo and he went in for the score, a great move. Ezenagu's conversion was good.

MK scored again straight from the kickoff. Duffin picked the ball out of a ruck and passed to Holliday, his well timed pass found Clark and he went over for the score. Ezenagu's kick was wide.

They'd been given five minutes to score one try but in fact they scored two.

Gould came on for Holliday.

Despite the extension to the comfort zone there was still a game on, and Wellingborough still had something to offer, dumping Ezenagu into touch on halfway as he collected the restart.

Wellingborough put together a series of passing moves and moved into MK territory, the ball went loose, Wellingborough attempted to kick it as Mori was diving on top of it and he caught a boot in the jaw. he went off and was replaced by Rutter. Wellingborough were awarded a penalty and looked to pass, the ball was dropped and Rutter pounced on it. Orama picked the ball out of the ruck and set off on a strong run, he offloaded to Ezenagu and he went in for the score. his conversion attempt was good.

Cook came on for Marchbank, Thomas came on for Wells.

Ezenagu caught the restart and ran well, from a ruck Duffin picked up and set off on a strong run down the sideline, he broke several tackles and went in for a fine try. Ezenagu's kick was low.

Miller came on for Bollom.

McEwan caught the restart and ran hard. Good rucking and passing took MK into opposition territory. Wellingborough won a scrum and looked to pass but dropped the ball. Glodek came on for Clark and McKechnie came on for Alzubeidi. Wellingborough were awarded a penalty and a strong run coupled with poor tackling saw them go in for the score. The conversion attempt was low

Wellingborough would not lie down and continued to try to make territory in the MK half. When they won a penalty for an MK player going in from the side they sliced through the fleetingly non-existant MK defence to get some reward for all their efforts, but the try could not be converted. There was more to come. They produced a lovely scissors fifteen metres from the MK line but promptly knocked on to allow Harry Miller to hare off seventy metres down the pitch to the roar of the crowd. He went like an express train but could not reach the Wells line. Perhaps the atmosphere was a little rarified for him. Then Ezenagu decided to stretch his legs as well and when he picked up from a scramble in his own half he did indeed have the legs to make it to the Wells line and complete the day's scoring. There was nothing left in the tank however as his attempted drop goal conversion limped feebly under the posts.

So, the proverbial game of two halves as the boys rediscovered the joys of tackling, passing, catching and running on grass after the long lay-off. If the nine is to become eleven then they will have to win the Bucks Cup semi against Amersham next Sunday and the final against Beaconsfield or Marlow the Sunday after. If they play like they did in the first half today then the nine will remain nine. If they play like they did in the second then anything is possible.

For the second consecutive season MK under 14s were knocked out at the semi final stage of the Bucks Cup, this time by the holders, a well drilled Amersham and Chiltern side who did the simple things well, had a couple of six footers, played with passion and commitment and had well rehersed moves. Hopes were high in view of the unbeaten season so far as the boys and supporters made the long journey to South Bucks (two cars got lost and one group were advised to take the ferry) on a clement Sunday morning to play a game that had been postponed for three weeks owing to the snow of early February. It was St David's Day and it was hoped that the Welsh saint who had failed to front up on Friday night would look kindly down on the biggest day of the season so far. Sadly he seems to have been too busy.

Chiltern were out early practicing these moves whilst MK were left hanging around waiting for a changing room to become available. No matter, MK were soon changed and out warming up. The teams looked evenly matched size wise and there was a feeling that an upset could be on the cards.

MK had made a tactical switch with Ezenagu moving to flanker with the job of restricting A & C's own talented county player.

MK kicked off downhill on the sloping pitch and the game began at frantic pace. MK won the first scrum, Amersham the second, and then the Ams were awarded a penalty which they took quickly, but the situation was retrieved by some excellent ripping and breaking by Michael Woodruff. A couple of penalties saw Duffin kick MK to Chiltern's 22 but another kick to touch sent them back. Chiltern finally got their passing game going, a magnificent trio of tackles from Wells held them up briefly but they moved the ball from one side of the field to the other, sucking in the MK defenders and creating the overlap which saw them go over in the corner. The conversion attempt was wide.

Time to regroup then, but then very quickly Amersham doubled their lead as they secured the restart and benefitted from a succession of missed tackles again on the right side. Though the kick was missed those who follow these things were beginning to fret about "Anderson's Constant", also known as the two try rule, which posits that a side that goes two tries up rarely if ever loses. So it was pretty important that MK got the next score, and they really went for it, with Ffred Bollom, Zachary Ezenagu and Orama Chiromo combining threateningly, but making the hard yards, recycling, and going again was proving difficult against a side that was regularly out-rucking them.

Nonetheless MK kept up the pressure with Chiromo, Mad Dog and Oliver Anderson pushing forward from a rarely won line-out. When the Ams knocked on Kieran Duffin fielded the ball only to be penalised for crossing. Two further line-outs were lost and MK just couldn't seem to get meaningfully over the gain line - just when they seemed to be getting there a dropped ball or a lost ruck would set them back again. But it had been a period of sustained pressure and the game was still on until from an Amersham scrum five their No. 8 picked up and forced his way over to score. The conversion was again missed.

Ryan came on at flanker, Holliday moving to 2nd row for Mann. The restart was knocked on. Penalties for foot up in the scrum and a high tackle gave MK opportunities to score but runs from Ezenagu, Duffin, Anderson, Bollom and Duffin again could not break through the massed defence and eventually Chiltern cleared their lines and with all of Amersham coming at him Bollom was forced to give away a penalty for not releasing. Just as well as another Amersham try would undoubtedly have put the kybosh on things. Shortly after the referee signalled the end of the half.

Half Time

The half time talk was about the players keeping their eyes open and watching the opposition, not getting sucked in. Chiltern's backs were well schooled, Royal grammar school probably and they passed quickly and intelligently, creating openings and overlaps through well rehearsed moves. Chiltern had a couple of tall forwards who had an obvious advantage in the lineouts but Ezenagu and Holliday were competing well and negated the advantage.

Ezenagu got a boot in the face for his troubles as he attempted MK's first incision of the second half after a neat Mad Dog offload but again the penalty came to nothing. When MK were pinged for hands in the loose Amersham found touch half way between the 22 and the MK line. The line out was lost and only a try saving tackle (perhaps barge would be the better word) by Bollom stopped the fourth try. Another penalty saw the ball tossed to one of their giants and he surged towards the line, the MK defence were static as if none of them fancied taking on the challenge but up stepped Marchbank, he hit the forward head on and brought him down. it was not just the tackle of the game, it was the tackle of the season but proved to be in vain when, from another penalty, Chiltern moved the ball wide and scored in the corner, but this time with more than a suspicion of a foot in touch. Luckily for this Cueto, the fourth official could not be located. A & C's penalty variations were proving useful. The conversion attempt was missed again.

That was pretty much game over but there was still pride to play for and Chiltern were determined not to concede a try. Time for a miracle, and one there came straight out of the Old Testament. MK restarted and the Amersham team remained rooted to the spot, paralysed as Lot's wife, seemingly turned into pillars of salt believing the ball had not gone the required ten metres, as Ezenagu charging up behind took the ball and went hell for leather down the wing to cut the deficit. The referee said the ball had gone the requisite distance and then, as rugby balls are prone to do, bounced backwards. Who were we to argue? But there was to be no conversion.

Wells moved to Full back and Forster came on for Bollom, who was possibly suffering the effects of an earlier injury, Cook replaced Clark at Loose Head.

Chiltern's restart was caught by Ezenagu, he launched the ball into orbit and chased after it but it was well caught by the Chiltern player though his clearing kick went straight out and MK were pressuring again. Ezenagu's chip and run forced Chiltern to carry the ball over their own line and give MK a 5m scrum but they could make nothing of it and a long mazy run from a Chiltern Centre pushed MK back deep into their own half and, a few plays later, Chiltern went over in the corner. The kick was missed.

Gould replaced Woodruff, Rutter replaced Fisher. From the restart Chiltern continued their policy of kicking to touch at the slightest hint of danger but MK kept up the pressure. With the whitewash averted it looked like that was it, but the Ezenagu Express decided there was time for one more big heave. He took the ball in his own half, burst through one or two attempted tackles, and hared off up the pitch some 65 metres having time to turn left and go in under the posts. This time the conversion duck was broken as he calmly drop kicked the conversion between the sticks.

That was the end of the scoring and the only incident of note was a change to uncontested scrums, apparently due to the inability of the Chiltern Tight Head to scrum in a straight line. The Referee ended the game soon after and Chiltern were deservedly through to a final against Beaconsfield.

MK should not be disheartened, they were up against a very good side and gave a creditable performance. Tougher games and less interruptions would have prepared some of the inexperienced (and experienced) players for the bigger challenges. So no Bucks Cup Final again this year. It has been a fine season in many ways, nine wins out of ten games. But, oh, what they would have given for a win in this one and a few early season losses. But nil desperandum. There are still some big games to win.

Spring arrived early at Greenleys and warm sunshine greeted the visitors from Tring. Last year Tring 'A' treated us exhibition of rugby and a cricket score in their favour. This time the cricket score was replaced by a football one as two closely matched sides took on each other, both having lost plenty of players owing to School of Rugby and Tournament commitments, as well as illness and injury.

Although the MK forwards were pretty recognisable the backs were a fairly untried combination, with Dan Hunter returning from injury on the right wing, Harry Miller on the left, Owen Thomas and Dylan Wells in the centre, Louis Rutter at full back, Sho Mori at scrum half and Ffred Bollom, fourth choice at fly half. Milton Keynes began proceedings and within the first couple of minutes Bollom made two breaks which indicated that a repeat of the Bergamasco fiasco was unlikely - out of position, yes, but out of place, no.

MK dominated the opening stages. Good runs from Alzubeidi and Newman took the ball deep into Tring's half. Oliver Anderson driving hard through the as yet unsettled Tring defences, on one occasion making a full twenty metres. Good work from the pack was providing plenty of ammunition for the backs, Will Holliday bossing the initial line-outs, Elliot Ryan held up on the Tring line and Mori just forced back at the ensuing scrum five. Rory Newman and Anderson seemed very comfortable with pick and takes and Miller would let nothing past him. But slowly, almost imperceptibly, Tring steadied themselves and began to put the squeeze on the home side, and whether for incorrect binding, hands, high tackles, chopsing, or a myriad other things, MK started giving away penalties in an altogether cavalier fashion.

More good work from the forwards freed the backs and Wells went on a strong run, though it was brought back for use of an elbow. Tring kicked to touch and pressured the MK line, a maul was working it's way towards the tryline until Ryan ripped the ball free and Tring's enthusiasm to win it back saw them penalised for going in at the side of a ruck, Bollom kicking the ball to half way. Tring were trying to pass but kept knocking on, but MK's verbal indiscipline gave Tring a penalty just inside the 22 and they kicked the 3 points to take a perhaps undeserved lead. The Referee signalled the end of the half soon after.

Half Time

It was clear that MK would have to increase their workload, relocate the accelerator, improve their hands and tighten up their discipline to get back into this one. Yet another Churchillian half-time talk by coach Ed Holliday did the trick.

Marchbank took the restart and ran hard, then Bollom had 3 strong runs aided by great rucking from the forwards and MK were just 2 metres out. Drives from Anderson, Newman, Woodruff, Alzubeidi and Wells took the ball to within inches and Ryan used his strength to get the ball over for the score. Bollom's conversion was held up in the wind.

Marchbank caught the restart again and ran well but MK gave away a penalty in the ruck. Tring kicked straight over the dead ball line and MK opted for the scrum on half way. Good work from the forwards took the ball into Tring's half but they kicked to touch. Cook replaced mann, his first action being to catch the lineout ball. The teams traded kicks and there were more lineouts in this game then any other this season (I counted 27). Although the line-out had deteriorated somewhat, the MK scrum was working well. They do seem to fancy the set piece over the ruck. They completely demolished a Tring scrum on their ten metre line but then promptly knocked on as if to say sorry. Then we saw something pretty rare - the Ripper ripped. Anderson had the ball nicked out of his hand. You can be pretty sure this will not happen again for quite some time.

Neither side was able to gain the upper hand as the game became scrappy. Tring won a scrum on their own 22 and kicked long, Rutter gathered the ball and went on strong run, the ball was fed to Miller and he sprinted down the sideline, shrugging off tacklers but he was eventually caught. Tring kicked to touch but strong runs from Woodruff and Anderson kept the pressure on. MK penalties allowed Tring to move the ball out of danger despite strong runs from Wells and Alzubeudi but Holliday brought it back and an MK penalty saw Bollom put the ball into touch just 10 metres out. But they couldn't capitalise and Tring brought the ball back into the MK half.

The minutes were ticking away when Tring had a line-out on the MK twenty two. They won it and a lad went powerfully through the MK defence and appeared certain to score when as he stretched to touch down the combination of Bollom round his shoulders and Miller on his arms dislodged the ball and he was deemed to have knocked on - a little bit of last minute drama that preserved the slender lead to the end.

It wasn't a feast of skilled rugby but it was good to watch. Both teams fielded inexperienced players and as a result there were many errors and a high penalty count, 10-2 in Tring's favour. A need to tighten up on discipline remains. Perhaps we should invite a certain Mr Johnson up from Twickenham to have a word with one or two of them !