Bletchley's U14s squad made an impressive start to their Bucks Cup campaign against a sternly determined Drifters side today (Sunday 7th October). The match started in lively fashion with Bletchley pressing Drifters right from the kick-off, giving the visitors no time to settle. Excellent work from the forwards saw ball recycled quickly and cleanly and forced Drifters back towards their own line.

The Drifters defence however was up to the challenge and having withstood the initial onslaught began to exert pressure of their own on Bletchley, through a powerful and disciplined pack. Despite ferocious defensive tackling from the whole Bletchley squad, well won turnovers through fearless rucking, and some effective clearance kicking it was proving difficult to dislodge Drifters from the Bletchley 22m line for more than a moment or two. That was until Andy Cumino put boot to ball from yet another hard won turnover, and yet again the Bletchley backs chased the kick gamely. Their reward for effort was that James Reilly was on hand to harry the Drifters' catcher and to capitalise on the resulting fumble, popping up the ball for Kyle Gibbings charging through at pace. Gibbings was not to be caught and placed the ball between the posts to gave Sam Levy a straightforward conversion attempt to put Bletchley 7 – 0 in front.

Drifters came straight back into the fray particularly through their strong forwards. However Bletchley stood their ground well – a genuine 15-man effort saw bone-crunching tackles going in on Drifters attackers, and frequent turnover ball being won which enabled the Bletchley team to keep out repeated attacks from Drifters and mount breakout attacks of their own.

The second half started out following the same pattern as the first – plenty of pressure from a Drifters side determined to level the score and a Bletchley squad equally determined to keep them out. Bletchley's intelligent use of the boot to relieve pressure was impressive, and the willingness of the backs to follow up enabled the exertion of pressure in turn on the Drifters. It was from such a clearance the Gibbings was again able to secure the ball just inside his own half, and seeing the space behind the the last line of the Drifters defence, placed a superb long-range kick into the corner. The ball bobbled over the try-line and some confusion ensued among the Drifters defenders – by which time Gibbings had arrived on the scene and noting the confusion placed a quick hand on the ball to claim a second try. The conversion attempt was not successful. Bletchley 12, Drifters 0.

Drifters, full of character, came back even more strongly than before, and it was to take some immense tacking (Reilly, Bancroft and Levy well to the fore here) to keep the visitors out. However Bletchley were again able to turnover possession and breakout in numbers and though a fast passage of backs' and forwards' interplay drive the ball to the Drifters' line. Quick rucked ball – in Reilly's hands 3m from the line; only one possible outcome. Another 5 points on the scoreboard! Bletchley 17, Drifters 0.

Again the plucky Drifters threw themselves into the attack; the forwards dominating consistently and denying the now tiring Bletchley pack ball even their own put-ins at the scrum. Their determination was duly rewarded by a well deserved converted try exactly on full time.

A fascinating game; great to watch and a credit to both sides. Bletchley won because they were able to absorb pressure, make tackles and win turnover ball, and make breakouts count by strong support play – and all the players on the squad without exception gave maximum effort and concentration for the whole match.

Bletchley squad: Gazzer Bancroft, Josh Carroll, Andy Cumino, Jack Evans, Jack Garner, Kyle Gibbings, James Harris, Sam Levy, Alex Percival, James Petruck, James Reilly, Joe Reynolds, Tom Stainsby, Rob Vincent, Ollie Whitmore, Adam Wilcox.

Bletchley scorers: Tries: K.Gibbings (2) & J.Reilly. Conversions: S.Levy

Coach: Richard Stainsby

Match report by: Dave Johnston...