A stern test for Vees Colts
A stern test for Vees Colts as they fall behind for the first time this season
A lovely day saw the Vees take to the park against a beefy Leighton Buzzard side.
First Half
An early penalty kick to touch for Leighton Buzzard. They ran an ‘Ellis ball’ (straight and low to the front man) off the lineout and they were over in the corner for the try.
5-0
A massive hit from Sam FB on Leighton Buzzard’s big centre got the ‘shot’ exclamation from the coaching crew. Another Vees penalty resulted in a Leighton Buzzard kick for touch again. They won the lineout and used their big, powerful forwards to bludgeon over. Kick converted.
12-0
Vees were up against it and running into their forwards resulted in Vees being blasted backwards 5 yards! They were playing uphill and the signs were ominous. Something needed to change in the game plan and a clue was coming . . . Vees won a penalty and Jamie F placed the kick perfectly for a lineout 5m out. The lineout secured and the ball whizzed down the line to Will who effected the perfect 2 on 1 to Barney A to touch down out wide. Could this be the way to play?
12-5
Fight back commenced and another penalty for Vees saw Jamie F pin Leighton Buzzard in their 22. Vees won the lineout and the backs moved the ball to Aaron then Will who split the full back and winger to race over with them expecting the pass to Barney A. We can’t go through them, we can’t go over them, oh no we’ll have to go round them!
12-10
The ref missed an obvious crossing as Alex was hindered and somehow Leighton Buzzard got a penalty. They kicked for posts as their recent attacks had been repelled.
15-10
Second Half
Vees got a penalty and put it into touch 5m out. The ball went wide down the line to Will who fed George at pace to score in corner. The score equalized and Vees were playing with confidence now.
15-15
Pressure from Vees and a charge down on another kick from Matty B who was making his height and presence felt. The ball was picked up and spun wide to Sam FB who fended off one then fed Ethan who touched down in the corner, easily outpacing the last man.
15-20
Will then scored on a brilliant break stepping 4 players, celebrating early with the Babe Ruth point to the distance (usually the sign of an impending drop) and touching down. Unbelievably the ref called a knock on despite the grounding looking fine from the touch line.
Next up a free kick to Vees 5m out. A tap and go by Reuben M and he used his height to get low and stretch over the line. Jamie F scored the afters.
15-27
The final minutes saw a tense finish as Leighton Buzzard won a lineout and their huge unit in the pack broke two tackles to score under posts.
22-27
There were 3 minutes to go which saw Vees desperately cling on to the win with determined tackling to repel the final attacks.
A great fight back against a powerful and tough Leighton Buzzard side with the boys working out the way to win was going around them and using our pacy backs rather than route one through the middle.
Final score
Leighton Buzzard 22-27 Vees (Tries: Barney A, Ethan, George, Reuben M, Will. Conversions: Jamie F)
Wally of the day: Will - was it the early celebration or really a knock one? All we know is the ref denied the try and Will got the award regardless of the truth!
Player of the day: Reuben S - great breaks, powerful running, awesome at the breakdown and in the tackle and nailed his lineout jumpers!