A narrow one point defeat at Banbury in the last match of the previous season was still very fresh in the minds of the Bletchley players. Bletchley felt that on that particular occasion they did not do themselves justice. This was now their opportunity to put the record straight.

The Bletchley squad were without their inspirational skipper Jack Evans, Jack with a thumb injury, encouraged his team from the sidelines.

Bletchley set about their visitors straight from the off, an energetic Bletchley side conjured an early attack up the left wing only for Jack Garner to be tackled into touch. Bletchley pressed forward and harried well, putting the Banbury backs under pressure. Tom Stainsby almost put the first points on the board by forcing the visiting full back to make hasty decisions. Noting this discomfort in the Banbury defence Sam Levy, receiving good quick ball from a scrum, intelligently turned the Banbury defence with an exquisite chip over the top, but the Banbury defence, although wrong footed, just managed to clear the danger. Bletchley pressed on, the forwards were working well and winning turnover. Scrum half Andy Cumino busily seeking to bring the backs into play. Levy again cleverly chipped the defence, but the bounce was not kind and Banbury just managed to scramble the ball to safety. The omens were not good for Banbury they suggested Bletchley must score points soon.

The speed of the Bletchley backs were causing much concern for the Banbury defence and after ten minutes play, the ball fell into the hands of Jack Garner. Just about on the half way line, the visiting defence were left chasing shadows as he hit top speed and roared down the left wing to score in the corner for Bletchley’s first points. Sam Levy booted a good line but distance proved too much.

From the kick off the ball fell to the hands of number eight Joe Reynolds who drove forwards, Alex Percival, Ali Pyle and Rob Vincent supported, pushing the Banbury defence back, the ball broke, quick hands to Garner, who took off, powered through two attempted challenges and sprinted the 70 odd metres to place the ball between the posts. It was an easy conversion for Levy.

Banbury now began to respond and stormed forward to exert some their own pressure, but, although looking much livelier, they did not get any joy, the Bletchley defence were disciplined and firm. The ball was still finding it way out to the wings with Garner and now James Petruck, moving from outside centre to replace the bruised Kyle Gibbings, rampaging up the left and right wings respectively. James Reilly and Petruck terrorised the visiting defence with some intelligent use of the boot, kicking the ball into the spaces behind them.

The Banbury defence began to look a bit desperate and Garner particularly being subjected to some very robust, and high, challenges two of which he survived but a third, a shoulder charge, left him unable to continue.

Unperturbed Bletchley forged on and from a penalty, kicked for a line out, line out won, a good pass put in Joe Reynolds for a chance he charged over the line only to lose control at the critical moment.

Again Bletchley attacked, this time the forwards rucked their way close enough for Skipper of the day Geraint Bancroft for a head down six metre dash and crash over for a third Bletchley try. Levy again showing good line but tantalisingly short.

With half time fast approaching Bletchley did not let up, James Harris and Oliver Whitmore won a line out, near visitors try line; Stainsby manufactured an opportunity for James Reilly to add five more points under the posts. Levy did not miss and promptly added two more.

Half Time Bletchley 24 – 0 Banbury.

The second half saw wingman Gibbings back on this time on the left with Petruck still on the right. Bletchley kicked off it was after some good forward play, from James Harris and Josh Carroll, that saw Petruck tear off down the wing only to unluckily place a boot in touch. Bletchley began to turn the screw, Cumino with, a chip and go, nearly unlocked the Banbury defence. The Bletchley forwards were, by now, completely dominant and provided the backs with a wealth of ball from which to launch new attacks. An injury to a Banbury player caused an imbalance in the player numbers and so Bletchley number eight Joe Reynolds sportingly left the field to allow the match to carry on with equal numbers.

Bletchley continued unabated, full back Tom Stainsby majestically stepping through the despairing lunges of the Banbury defence to score Bletchley’s fifth try in the corner. Petruck stepped up to the ball but the ball unluckily dropped short.

Bletchley gathered pace again, and again Stainsby found himself able to fend off the, now tiring, Banbury challenges and strode purposely through the midfield over the defenders try line where he unselfishly passed the ball to the supporting Gibbings to score, when he certainly could have claimed the points himself. Levy, with a difficult kick, again found the distance not equal to his excellent line.

Bancroft, skipper in Evan’s absence had a match to mention, not only did he drive his team on, he received an unusual trophy, a real shiner, the result of some rash indiscipline from a visiting player that earned the unfortunate player an early bath.

Bletchley (or Bancroft to his credit) did not let this incident worry them and carried on where they left off. Good forward play from Vincent, Pyle and Percival, then good hands from Matthew Allen let Gibbings launch an attack down the wing where, despite an attempted high tackle, he managed to secure the points. Levy, again good line, this time got enough boot and converted.

Banbury, although looking weary, were still game and attempted to claw back some pride but Bletchley’s defence were not unduly troubled and final play came with Reilly, who was having an excellent morning, ripping the ball from a startled visiting centre and then feeding Sam Levy who powered through the middle to score under the posts, Levy gave himself an easy conversion for the last kick, and the last points, of the match.

A functional and solid performance from Bletchley, who will face stiffer tests than this. It is usually only the glory boys who score the points that get most mention, but these guys would not achieve if it were not for the efforts of the unsung members of the team the grafters such as Adam Wilcox can take credit for his patience and commitment. Next week it’s back to the training ground where Bancroft can work on his guard!

Full Time Bletchley 46 – 0 Banbury.

Man of the Match award – Geraint Bancroft

Tries: J.Garner (2), K.Gibbings (2), J.Reilly, T.Stainsby, G.Bancroft, S.Levy.
Conversions: S.Levy (3)

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

Coach: Richard Stainsby

Match report by: Steve Garner...