By Elliott Josypenko
November 7 2004

The game given the conditions was always going to be tight but the Bees despite long periods of Buckingham pressure always held the edge particularly after half-time.
Firstly thanks for all the lads and parents who made the trek to Buckingham. Those who came enjoyed a good old fashioned rugby game played on a paddy field, given the narrow loss to Hereford in similar circumstances last season the team knew it had to knuckle down to acheive any sort of result.

The game given the conditions was always going to be tight but the Bees despite long periods of Buckingham pressure always held the edge particularly after half-time. The first half was a hard slog in the mud with Buckingham exerting considerable pressure around the fringes and at the breakdown, this led to considerable pressure on the half-backs (2.30am to bed) Sam and (gone 3am to bed) James. The match was scrappy and some of the Bees play in every sense badly disciplined, frustration and the very physical nature of the contest led to several on and off the ball "hand-bags".

The late arrival of Paul and Andy had forced Loz to play fullback for one half, but the tactical changes made at halftime meant the Bees always held the upper hand in the second period. The Bees had turned around 5-0 down but Loz returning to the backrow, Steve to fullback, Andy and Paul into outside half and inside center meant the Bees looked far more purposeful. The pack picked up and started to tidy up the fringes enabling the Bees far more quality ball. Bees (Sam) kicked an early penalty and a Skids special meant the Bees swiftly gained an 8-5 lead. The forwards by now were enjoying some fine interplay with pick and drive, and short pop passes finding willing runners...............suddenly there looked to be only one winner. After some fine short phases the Bees scrumhalf forced his way over in the corner but this was a forwards try all the way. All of the forwards had their moments but special mention must be made of Nigel, he carried the ball effectively, was strong in defence and took the pressure of the halfbacks in some tight defensive situations, a great all round game.

At 13-5 given the conditions the game looked over, the sin-bining of Bones and a Buckingham lock did enable a late Buckingham score but the Bees professionaly closed the game out for a well earnt 13-12 win.

Make no mistake Buckingham were a fine side particularly up front and have beaten Banbury and lost only narrrowly to Oxford in recent weeks.

Mars bar moment:
Dale absolutely flattening Buckingham lad who was unfortunate to receive Dale and ball at same time.
Paul ringing me to tell me they had missed the M40 turning and had flat tire and were ringing Andy's mum to come and change it, then ringing back 10mins later to tell me Andy had now joined the RAC to come and fix it....................and then driving along the M42 with shredded tyre to A34 Tesco's and eventually changing the wheel themselves and turning up just before kickoff! Lads it was a brave effort to come and your secondhalf contribution was significant!

Next week Lichfield away, please meet @ ShX PUB 11.30am, kick-off Lichfield 1.30pm, full Colts fixture. Please let me know if not available and if you plan to travel direct or not. This is good fixture Lichfield in recent weeks have beaten Sutton and Worcs. Colts.

ONE FOR THE DIARY
22nd Dec. 2004 (schools out for Christmas)................Stratford away under floodlights (also beat Worcs. and Sills in recent weeks) 7.30pm kickoff to be followed by Colts Christmas party, thanks to our entertainments Director Beau Campbell for the organisation, details will follow over next couple of weeks.

No training this week


Team:
Loz (Steve), Rich, Luke (cap), Steve (Paul), Woody, Sam (Andy), James (Sam), Lee, Nigel, Ben (Adam), Bones, Liam, Josh (Eathan), Rich, Dale

Final Score
Buckingham 12 Bees 13

Season to date:
Played 5
Won 3
Lost 2
For 133
Against 83

Best,

Phil