Bletchley entertained Stockwood Park Under 16s in what turned out to be a competitive if scrappy affair. Both sides looked like the effects of the Christmas lay off had not been worked off.


It was Stockwood who were least affected and they put Bletchley under pressure from the start playing with the wind. A scrum 10 metres from the Bletchley line resulted in the Stockwood Park wing going over for a try under the posts after 5 minutes. This was converted 0-7 to Stockwood. Five minutes later the Stockwood fly half picked up the ball on the half way line and break the Bletchley defence with a deft dummy and jink to run clear and score under the posts making the score 0-14 to Stockwood.

Bletchley then realised that they were in danger of being overrun and picked up their game, a fine break from scrum half Ashley Machin almost put Ben Buckingham through to score but he was denied just short of the line. The pressure exerted by Bletchley that followed resulted in two 5 metre scrums then a penalty. The penalty was quickly taken by Phil Harman, chased by Jason Barringer and Adam Usher, making his debut, was able to pick up the loose ball and put it down over the line for Bletchley's first score on 15 minutes, score 5-14 to Stockwood.

Bletchley were growing in confidence and a fly hack on a loose ball by James Blake was chased down by Ben Buckingham for Bletchley's second try, converted by Phil Harman on 30 minutes score 12-14 to Stockwood. Following a lineout on the Stockwood 22 Ali McKinnell and Mark Neill were able to get the Ball over the line but were held up, however, from the ensuing scrum Ashley Machin was able to steal the ball from the Stockwood scrum half and scramble over for Bletchley's third try just before the half time whistle. Half time score 17-14 to Bletchley.



With the wind at their backs Bletchley could have been expected to extend their lead in the second half, but both sides made mistake and neither were able to make any progress until Stockwood park were able to score a try from a 5 metre scrum 10 minutes from time. This was converted giving a score of 17-21 to Stockwood. However, when it looked like Bletchley were about to start 2005 on a defeat, Bletchley were awarded a penalty in front of the Stockwood posts. Phil Harman spun the ball out to James Blake who quickly passed to Ali McKinnell for Ali to score giving Bletchley a well deserved win.

Final score: Bletchley U16s 22-21 Stockwood Park U16 21

Team: A.McKinnell, B.Buckingham, A.Usher (B.Ruffet), D.Buckingham (M.Neill), J.Barringer, P.Harman, A.Machin, T Chapman, D Keillor, G. Mugford (C. Parry), J. McClean, S.Edmonds, J. Blake, J. Frowhawk-McLucas, & S.Atkins (C. Saunders).

Scorers: T: A.Usher, B.Buckingham, A.Machin & A.McKinnell.  C: P.Harman