Bletchley U16s played their counterparts from Luton today, Sunday 23 January.  This was the first time that the two clubs had met at a Junior level for some time, so the outcome was going to be of particular interest.  As it turned out, both teams proved to be pretty evenly matched, neither able to gain enough of an advantage over the other to dominate the game.
 

Luton kicked off the first half, and both teams took it in turns to attack and defend.  In the twenty-first minute Bletchley managed to drive the ball over the Luton line but it was held up.  From the 5m scrum that followed the ball was passed out to fly-half Phil Harman who jinked through the defence to score near the posts.   Phil converted his own try.  7-0. Luton replied eight minutes later, their try coming from a rolling maul.  This try wasn't converted.  7-5.
 

Luton's second score came just two minutes later.   It came from a chip and chase shortly after the restart.   The Bletchley defence was caught unawares.   The try was converted.   7-12.

The only score in the second half  came from Bletchley.   The ball had been taken on by the forwards who set up a ruck 20 metres out from the Luton line.   The ball was secured by  scrum-half Ashley Machin who ran sideways across the line of the Luton defence before passing to Phil Harman.   Phil threw a mis-pass out wide which was received by full-back Ali McKinnell.  Ali, spotting that there was space on the outside, ran diagonally to touch down in the corner.   The try wasn't converted.

For the remainder of the match neither side was able to break through the opposition defence so the match finished 12-12.   Bletchley would like to thank Luton coach Andy Pratt who agreed to step in at the last minute to referee the game.

Team: A.McKinnell, J.Barringer, A.Usher, A.Dempsey, B.Buckingham, P.Harman, A.Machin, T.Chapman, D.Keillor, G.Mugford (C.Loftman 44), J.Blake, C.Parry, J.Frowhawk-McLucas, D.Buckingham (C.Saunders 44, M.Neill 53) & S.Atkins.

Scorers: T: P.Harman & A.McKinnell.   C: P.Harman