Rugby union: Bletchley fight back to win as Fountain bags a hat-trick for ...

Milton Keynes were flattered in their win at the weekend while Bletchley produced a great comeback against Thatcham, but Olney lost.

The final score in the Milton Keynes v Drifters game was flattering to the home team. Had Drifters been more clinical in their tackling the score would have been closer, albeit MK were entitled to their win.

Both sides struggled with the stricter laws of the scrum half having to put the ball in straighter and a number of free kicks were awarded throughout the game.

Fifteen minutes into the match and both sides had exchanged penalties which were duly converted by the kickers. City were able to add to this after a period of good possession in the Drifter’s half. A penalty was taken quickly and Ollie Fountain received the ball and made it over the try line.

Drifters were soon back in contention with a penalty making the score 8 – 6 to the home team.

By the end of the first half City were piling on the pressure with a number of scrummages taking place on the Drifters five metre line. Despite the pressure the visitors defended well and wouldn’t allow MK over their try line. With just seconds to go the pressure finally parent paid with scrumhalf Rob Lasbrey picking the ball up from a scrappy scrum and going over the line.

From the start of the second half City were again in control. Not short of the halfway line Ollie Fountain received the ball and with one of his characteristic runs burst through a number of Drifters tackles to make it over the try line. A good conversion kick from the touch line from captain Phil Powell made the score 22 – 6.

Within 5 minutes there is a similar score on the opposite side of the pitch. Andy Poole managed to score with the first touch of the ball having come on as a replacement. Rob Matthews had made a good break and the pass to Poole gave him the chance to show his power and pace by breaking through the Drifters defence.

The City pack struggled in the scrums at times. This was shown half an hour into the second half when Drifters shoved the home team back and this resulted in a try.

Ollie Fountain got his name on the score sheet again with just a few minutes of the match to go. This followed a good period of play with the ball being dispersed between the forwards and backs. Dan Pearson who had taken over as scrum half made a good break and Ollie Fountain received to ball for his second try.

City were satisfied with the first win of the season. There remain areas that need to improve if they are to push for promotion. A greater test will be next weekend when they visit High Wycombe who are ones place above City in second place.

This week Bletchley travelled to high flying Thatcham, who are currently undefeated this season. Thatcham’s confidence was up and their performance did not disappoint. Bletchley wanted to improve on the great result from the week before but their performance was not as strong as it should be.

The morning started on the wrong foot as an early kick-off was organised. Bletchley already lost one player in the morning also suffered a scare as they could not found there wing, Luckily Griff was found and it was only that he overslept.

Thatcham started like a house on fire and had an early kick at Goal which luckily went wide, Bletchley still seemed a bit hesitant. Bletchley tried to string a few phases together just outside the 22 but unfortunately the ball was intercepted by Thatcham’s backs to score a converted try(7-0). Thatchams confidence really began to show and they were awarded another penalty that went over(10-0). Bletchley were still cold and nothing was working although Harman was able to get his backs away and there were some great breaks by the backs of Turnbull, Robinson, Garrett and Read, however no one could cross the tryline. Thatcham moved up field and were awarded another penalty which was slotted, 13-0 one more score and game over . Bletchley’s lineout was functioning well but Thatcham had the upper in in the early scrums. Garret, unhappy with the continuity with the forwards made a couple of changes, Stuart van Rooyen coming on at the 25 minute mark. Bletchley’s forwards started receiving a bit more ball and a penalty was awarded, penalty missed. Another infringement in the 22 and Bletchley went for the corner. A well thrown lineout, catch and Drive resulted in van Rooyen taking the five-pointer (13-5).Bletchley confidence started to grow and regular line breaks were happening in the backs and the forwards also started to get some front foot ball. A line break from inside the Bletchley half was passed down the backs to Button who offloaded unselfishly to Adam Griffiths running half the length of the pitch to be brought down 2 meters from the line . Another penalty awarded and some quick hands to the backs resulted in Robinson going over, conversion converted- 13-12 Half Time.

Bletchley started the second half in the ascendancy and most of the game was played in the Thatcham half. Garrett again revamped the forward pack and couple of power runs by the revamped front row resulted in Coleman receiving the ball five metres to drive over and score, conversion over 13-19. Bletchley did start to dominate position and territory but Thatcham were not letting go and were adamant on turning Bletchley over. Harman received the ball and threw a couple of great dummies to sell the defence and score in the corner, Harman again with a great conversion and confidence was clearly growing 13-26. Bletchley lost Zimabawean Ace to a head wound along with Holiday Kirwan with a nasty Gash on the lip. With only 9 minutes to go Thatcham came back with a great try from their backs to split the Bletchley defence and score under the posts. 20-26.Although the majority of the game was played in the Thatcham half their defence was dogged. Bletchley received a penalty which Harman cleanly slotted 20-29. Thatcham again slotted a penalty which brought them back in the game 29-23. With 2 minutes on the clock Harman put the game beyond doubt with a drop kick to take the score to 23-32. From the kick-off Thatcham received another silly penalty which they slotted to make the score 32-26 to Bletchley.

A great come back and win for the boys lead by the ever present Nobes. Credit to Thatcham as they were very well organised, strong on the defence and at the breakdown. We look forward to the return fixture. Bletchley are still undefeated but are well aware they need to improve performances, taking into account 7 changes from the previous week and travelling with 11 forwards Bletch will take this one

Olney welcomed Lutterworth for their first home fixture, with the seconds also facing opposition from the same club on an adjacent pitch. The conditions were near perfect and a good turnout of supporters looked forward to an afternoons entertainment.

Lutterworth kicked off and the ball was immediately returned via the aerial route, it failed to reach touch and this resulted in a period of play midfield. Interruptions were frequent with The visitors and the home side being penalised three to two in favour of Olney and the scrum infringements being shared equally. For the home side, as last week the most likely chance of opening the scoring was from their wing three-quarters, Will Edwards and Cameron Keenan. For the visitors their danger man was their number nine. The first score of the game came from a scrum on Olney’s 10m., Lutterworth put in, they won and fed their threes for a try down the left side 10m. in from touch. The conversion attempt was unsuccessful and after 12 mins. Lutterworth were in front 5 – 0.

From the restart Olney were able to take play into the visitor’s half and were awarded a scrum near the opposition’s 22. Though the Lutterworth pack were making it difficult for Olney to produce quick ball from the set piece, Ollie Caplin, at scrum half, was able to get the threes moving. The ball was passed to Will Edwards, coming on to the ball at pace, who fed Jordan Letts to break through and touch down under the posts. Stuart Livesey added the extra points for Olney to go just in front, on 14 mins. 7 – 5.

Neither side appeared able to settle into any pattern, some promising chances for the visitors were spoiled by some good cover defence on Olney’s part, the return to the side of Charlie Belcher and skipper John Robinson in the back row and Robbie Edwards all playing their parts. A near certain try from a breakthrough by the visitors backs was just saved by Cameron Keenan chasing back to make the vital tackle. However, it was Lutterworth who added the next score. From a line out to Lutterworth, just outside the home 22, they won the ball and set up a maul, Olney were penalised for going offside and the visitor’s were able to gain a line out 5m. out from Olney’s goal line. They won the ball and went over for a try, the conversion attempt was successful with the assistance of the L.H. upright. Lutterworth regaining the lead 7-12.

Following the kick off Cameron Keenan put in a strong run, but his pass inside was knocked on. There was no time for the scrum and the referee’s whistle ended the first half.

Olney kicked off for the second half and chased the ball to gain possession on Lutterworth’s 22. a series of scrums followed, giving the home side their best spell of the game. Play was continually interrupted for scrums and penalties, much to the dismay of the supporters from both sides. Lutterworth managed a break out from their half and this time the move was thwarted by Jordan Letts the last line of defence at full back. Olney were unfortunate to be reduced to fourteen men, when Steve Harrison was shown the yellow card.

The reduction in numbers turned the tide in favour of the opposition and put Olney on the back foot. After 30 mins. play in the half, Olney were penalised and Lutterworth ran the ball. They were able to force over for a try that was not converted and extended their lead to 7 – 17.

The home side used their subs. and Cameron Keenan moved in to scrum half. It became a game of damage limitation with Lutterworth attacking Olney’s right flank. They made a number of attempts to force over, through their forwards, but were repeatedly repelled. Eventually the advantage of a line out inside Olney’s 22 gave the visitor’s a chance to drive the ball over the goal line. The try was not converted but with time running out the visitors lead advanced to 7 – 22 . A last attempt to salvage some reward was made, by Olney, when following a penalty kick down the left side the kicker was tackled late. This gave the chance to use the kick from where the ball landed to attack inside the visitor’s 22. Olney ran the ball but were pulled up short, the final whistle came, and the score ended Lutterworth 22-7 Olney.

Article source: http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/wales-star-richard-hibbard-urges-6066722

Rugby union: Bletchley fight back to win as Fountain bags a hat-trick for ...