Bletchley entertained High Wycombe U16s today Sunday 30 January at Manor Fields in the semi final of the Bucks Junior Plate.  The sides had met earlier in the season in a friendly at High Wycombe with Bletchley running out comfortable winners by 60 points to 7.  However this was a cup match with the possibility of getting to a final and Bletchley had every intention of taking their opponents seriously.  Also with a tough league match against Marlow next week Bletchley knew that they had to show an improvement on last week's performance.
 

Bletchley started well with scrum half Ashley Machin pressuring his opposite number into a mistake, a wayward pass from the base of the scrum was gratefully accepted by Phil Harman who had a clear run to the try line after 2 minutes, 5-0 to Bletchley.  High Wycombe were then able to exert pressure on the Bletchley line only to be thwarted by Charlie Loftman and Chris Parry stealing the ball for Phil Harman to clear.

Bletchley were able to put together several flowing moves passing the ball from one side of the pitch to the other and involving all 15 players but were held back by an improved High Wycombe defence.  After 14 minute a lineout catch by Dale Buckingham set up a try for Glen Hendry after a miss move in the centres this was converted to make the score 12-0 to Bletchley.  Bletchley nearly scored again from the kick off with a catch from Sam Edmonds setting up a charging run by Charlie Loftman, again the Wycombe defence held. Shortly after, Glen Hendry broke the line of defence to set up Ali McKinnell for an almost certain try, Ali was held just short of the line but was able to slip the ball to Dale Buckingham who mysteriously appeared on the wing for Dale to score in the corner.  This try was converted by a long range kick from Phil Harman, 19-0 to Bletchley.



 

On 20 minutes Ashley Machin stole the ball from the High Wycombe scrum half and gave it to Shane Atkins who was make ground by kicking through, the pressure resulted in a penalty to Bletchley.  Phil Harman took the penalty quickly and was able to cross the ball to Ryan Hendry to score under the posts.  Converted by Phil Harman this made the score 24-0 to Bletchley.

 

Just before half time Bletchley were able to take a ball against the head in a scrum, James Blake stormed through the Wycombe defence to pass to Ryan Hendry for his second try which was converted.  Score 33-0 to Bletchley at half time.

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Bletchley could have expected to build up a large score in the second half, but credit the High Wycombe character as they tackled and defended well and never gave up.  Five Minutes into the second half Bletchley scored a try from a penalty move with Phil Harman, James Blake and Ali McKinnell providing the ball for Ben Buckingham to score, 38-0 to Bletchley.

High Wycombe came back and were able to pressure Bletchley into mistakes near the Bletchley line and were to score a well deserved try following two quick penalties, 38-5 to Bletchley.

High Wycombe contested well and had possession and territory was 50/50 for most of the second half. There was to be no more scoring until the last minute when a 50m break by Glen Hendry saw Ben Buckingham go over for his second try, converted by Phil Harman this made the final score 45-5 to Bletchley.

Bletchley now look forward to the plate final on 6th March

Team: A.McKinnell, J.Barringer (M. Neill 60), G.Hendry, R.Hendry, B.Buckingham, P.Harman, A.Machin, T.Chapman, D.Keillor (C. Saunders 60), C.Parry, J.Blake, S.Edmonds (J.McClean 60), S. Atkins (J.Frowhawk-McLucas 46) , D.Buckingham, C. Loftman.

Scorers: T: P.Harman, G. Hendry, D.Buckingham, R.Hendry (2), B.Buckingham (2).   C: P.Harman (5)