Remembrance Sunday is always an emotional and respectful day, the 2 minute silence and naming of the fallen from Long Buckby Rugby club over the 2 World Wars was really well observed this morning by all ages!. Well done Long Buckby RFC!

The morning started a little shaky with 2 injuries and illnesses overnight dropping our depleted numbers to 16 (Well done to the lads who represented at the local Rememberance parades!) Coupled with making the 1.5 hr journey to Long Buckby Rugby club, we were a little nervous about the game as coaches.

We needn't be!! Pre match training showed the boys were up for this and ready for the task ahead!

Kick off started with a good take (unsure but I think it was Cal) with quick hands into the resident racehorse Will for him to scream away outpacing everyone and scoring within the first 90 secs! He went 3/4 of the pitch and the Long Buckby players looked like they were jogging compared to his electric pace! Good conversion from Owen gave us a 7-0 lead. This was particularly pleasing as we have been installing into the lads the importance of starting on the front foot.

Things slightly settled down, Long Buckby (LB for short from now on) were good on the jackel but kept making mistakes, our scrum was dominant with Eli, Max and Josh with the 2 engines of Joe and Callum driving the team on. Good breaks from Cal, Dan, Eli and Max kept our momentum going forward consistently making the gain line. This led to another slick set of hands between Arlan and Jonah for Will to activate the afterburners and fly through the defence and score a cracking try, this was complemented by an excellent conversion from Dolly giving us a 14-0 lead.

We dominated, the boys were full of energy and confidence, we were winning the rucks, pushed them off their own scrums and taking every lineout. Dan was happy to pick and go, Isaac was securing our possession and Frank the tank was being a menace at the breakdown!

Then came a superb try, great defence by Jonah and Arlan saw us turn the ball over, then Jack Russell Dollard went on a mazy and meandering run for 3/4 of the pitch scoring under the posts. Jack obliged with the conversion 21-0. What a cracker!!!

It was all Ives after this, dominating possession, Axel the lumberjack chopping people down, Ed making some fabulous breaks on the wing, Jack being a nuisance on the breakdown, (As a back I was so pleased to see all of the backs at one point securing our possession)

Vlad came on for Isaac ( who put a cracking shift in) on the flank and we can see him grow into the game, his 4th match and he is going to be an asset and versatile member of our family!

Then the Hattrick came! Will was on the receiving end of a slick move and blew the LB defence away (One day he might be as quick as me!!) This was converted by Owen (100% conversion rate)

Towards the end of the half LB worked a brilliant kick into the hands of the winger for them to score just before half time but missed the conversion from out wide HT 28-5

The second half was challenging, down hill, losing Eli to a neck injury in the 1st 5 mins saw a bit of a restructure. Frank "the worlds strongest teenager" came on in the front row and Issac came on the flank with Vlad. Tiredness due to lack of subs was showing, all play was in our half, wave after wave came at the boys and they defended like troopers!

LB gradually broke through after sustained pressure and duly converted it to make the score 28-12. We held on with the exception of a few breaks by the boys, it was all LB in our half . THE BOYS WERE ROCKS! No one was going through. They tried everything including a good kick over the top for Jack to tap back for a 22 yard drop out but the boys held firm.

It was a battle at the end boys but you saw it through!
We now have 2 league wins now and with some of the boys back in the next few weeks we push on and take on all comers!!

Man of the Match nominated by LB was Will, we as coaches could have picked numerous and were thankful the opposition had to take a hard decision away from us!

Onwards and upwards, we have a few work ons but once again. UPTHEIVES

Jeff and the coaching team!

St Ives Rugby Union Football Club

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