Oxon County 10s Cup Winners - 19 April

Bicester U14s Cup Winners at Oxfordshire County 10’s Tournament

Bicester were simply magnificent, playing outstanding rugby all day to complete the double of County 15 a side and 10 a side Cup wins. Stuart did a great job of utilising the full compliment of 15 players, the players showed our strength in depth as substitutes fitted seamlessly in without once weakening the quality or disrupting the shape of the 10 on the field. Well done to all.

Some of the tries in the pool matches were pretty much perfectly executed, with memorable scores against Wallingford and Henley involving very good handling and running lines from the backs. The forwards were equally impressive, very good in the scrum, tireless in the loose with a special mention for Cameron, and some terrific tries to boot.

The Final was a repeat of last season against defending champions, the talented Chinnor. The atmosphere was electric. The players from both sides fought through the tiredness that was apparent to put on a great match, played once again within a spirit of friendly rivalry and respect for one another. Chinnor led 7-0 at half time with Ollie Wingfield burning down the left wing to score under the posts to the delight of the home supporters. But Bicester showed great resolve and took the game to them in the second half. Bicester calmly ran a penalty in midfield and fed Antony Iveson who broke the line and popped to Dan Rowland, Dan in turn fed Cameron Fortin-Smith whose skillful reverse pass back to Dan gave him the line to power through to score. Dan thwarted a second attempt from Ollie W, this time slamming him into touch. With the scores tied and extra time looking likely, Chinnor infringed again and were punished. James Grosvenor tapped to himself and kicked over to the right hand side, having been tipped off that a prop and second row were defending that side, James sprinted through and collected a kindly bounce to score the winner under the posts, James was mobbed by his teammates as Dan slotted the conversion and the final whistle went.

Captain Henry Gayler lifted the trophy to a hearty three cheers from the Chinnor lads who were very sporting in defeat, once again underlining the friendship and respect between these two super teams.

The Stats:

Six wins from six games, 26 tries scored (far too many to describe), 164 points for and only 24 against, 11 of 15 players scoring tries reflecting the level of teamwork displayed and the variety of attack executed, and a notable individual tally of 60 points for Dan Rowland. Creditably, Bicester did not concede a single penalty in the last four matches.

The Results:

Pool Match 1 – Bicester 17 v Banbury 10

Try Scorers: Dan Rowland (2) and Conor White

Conversion: Dan Rowland

Pool Match 2 – Bicester 26 v Walingford 0

Try Scorers: Dan Rowland, James Grosvenor, Antony Iveson and Henry Gayler

Conversions: Henry Gayler (2) and Dan Rowland

Pool Match 3 – Bicester 55 v Chipping Norton 0

Try Scorers: Tom Burrell, Cameron Fortin-Smith, Antony Iveson (2), Mats Venning, Ed Mawdsley (2), Chris Nourse and Will Allen-Miles

Conversions: Mats Venning (5)

Pool Match 4 – Bicester 38 v Henley 0

Try Scorers: Henry Gayler (2), Dan Rowland (3) and James Grosvenor

Conversions: Dan Rowland (4)

Semi Final – Bicester 14 v Oxford Harlequins 7

Try Scorers: Dan Rowland and Chris Nourse

Conversions: Dan Rowland (2)

The Final – Bicester 14 v Chinnor 7

Try Scorers: Dan Rowland and James Grosvenor

Conversions: Dan Rowland (2)

Results from Aylesbury 10s Tournament - 19 April

Aylesbury 10s Tournament

Chris and Dave report that the boys did themselves proud, two wins and three close defeats against good quality A teams saw them finish up with 4th prize. Scott Povey collected the prize on behalf of the squad. Well done to all.

Round Robin League Results:-

Match 1 – Bicester 0 v Aylesbury 14

Match 2 – Bicester 0 v Dunstable 14

Match 3 – Bicester 12 v Leighton Buzzard 0

Try Scorers: Jordan Hirons and Robson Connor

Conversion: Ben Jenks

Match 4 – Bicester 0 v Milton Keynes 5

Match 5 – Bicester 7 v Sutton & Epsom 0

Try Scorer: Callum Robertson

Conversion: Ben Jenks

Match report Bicester v Abingdon - 05 April

Bicester 17 v Abingdon 12

A highly competent B team took to the field including the last minute arrival of Will A-M to fill in for the injured George - thanks.

A good warm up saw the backs moves being practised with great precision and forwards covering the park in support well - the signs were looking good for a big win. Then the game started!

Some strong individual drives from Jordan & Will saw them power through several levels of poor defence but Abingdon seemed too have enough players to eventually bring the runner down and then our failure to ruck hard and fast resulted in space out wide not being exploited. The game plan and warm-up seemed to have been forgotten, with forwards particularly not gelling as a unit and being far too upright in the contact. PJ, at scrum-half had far too much scrappy ball to distribute, managing this quite well, but taking the edge off of the backs ability to attack with the precision shown before the game.

Jordan powered over for the first try, well converted by Ben Jenks and then Bicester expected the floodgates to open. They didn't as Abingdon managed to rip ball away from individual attacks and frustrate individual runners. Earlier passing would have spread the defence or someone straightening the attack would have disrupted their defence, either causing the breech that Bicester wanted! Eventually, Ben Jenks created some space for himself and crossed the line but could not convert his own try.

Our own poor first up tackles allowed Abingdon to build confidence into the second half the resultant belief took a very fragmented game to 12-12 with a couple of minutes to play. A penalty awarded in front of the posts would have allowed Bicester to kick a win but instead decided to run the ball only to find the desperate Abingdon defence upto the individualism! A last scrum did see a well-constructed move that saw Will feed Harry who, in turn, put PJ in for a score in the corner, giving an idea what could have been!! The conversion missed being the last kick of the game and an ugly win, but a 'W' nonetheless.

Try Scorers: Jordan Hirons, Ben Jenks and PJ Gardiner

Conversion: Ben Jenks

Coaches Man of Match: Charlie Bethell

Bicester 40 – Buckingham 5

Following last week’s Cup Final Victory, the boys’ spirits were understandably high. The squad strength once again showed itself, with 9 changes from last weeks starting 15 having no effect on the high standard we have come expect.

Bicester were slightly sleepy from the kick off when the ball was allowed to bounce before being dealt with, an uncharacteristic start that peculiarly carried on for much of the game.

Bicester we dominant in all phases and the first try was scored by James Grosvenor after a kick ahead by fly half Charlie Bethel. Soon after, Will Brett-Harding charged down an attempted clearance, the ball was retrieved by Buckingham and another attempted clearance found Tom Burrell in the centre who charged for the line to score.

Last week’s kicking nightmare continued with all of the days conversions missed – by full backs, scrum halves, No 8’s, props and hookers!

The third try was scored by Robson Connor following what was to become a characteristic break by Callum Robertson who ran great lines all day.
Tom Burrell scored his second and the games fourth try following a scrum won against the head by Ollie Cavey. Great defensive work throughout the half, typified by the hard working George Myers meant that Bicester went into half time 20 – 0 to the good.


Numerous changes were made at half time, with Chris Nourse, who had played the first half for Buckingham slotting in at 10 and James (I love kicking) Grosvenor being replaced at full back by Charlie Bethel. James G then pulled on the green of Buckingham. (Thanks Chris & James – great sportsmanship!)

The second half opened with a beautifully crafted try early on. PJ Gardiner crossing in the corner following great work by both forwards and backs – the final pass by Harry Court putting PJ in for a well finished try. More tries soon followed. Ollie Cassidy, playing at No 8 picked up from the base of a scrum on the Buckingham 22 and seemingly strolled through to score.

The Bicester players were now a little complacent and they failed to deal with a clever kick off, which was collected by the Buckingham wing forward (who looked eerily like the Bicester full back from the first half) who ran in almost unopposed to bring the score to 30 – 5.

At this point a few more changes were made with PJ Gardiner moving to scrum half – Harry Court moving out to the centre where he continued his fine performance and Will Brett Harding returning from the bench to replace Tom ‘two tries’ Burrell. Claims of Jug avoidance against the stand in team manager were later dismissed as unfounded.

Callum Robertson capped a great game finishing off another great passage of play where both forwards and backs linked seamlessly, with Robson Connor and Harry Court linking to put Callum away – his pace seeing him under the posts.
Will Brett Harding finished things off, linking well with Callum to finish wide on the left.

Final Score Bicester 40 – Buckingham 5

Players Man of the Match – Callum Robertson
Coaches Man of the Match – Callum Robertson

Tries
Bicester - James Grosvenor; Tom Burrell (2); Robson Connor; PJ Gardiner; Oliver Cassidy; Callum Robertson; Will Brett-Harding

Buckingham – James (that’ll be minus 5 points then) Grosvenor

Conversions – not a one. Next week I’ll supply a banjo and a cow’s backside – see if anyone can hit that!

County Cup Winners - 4 in a row

Oxon U14s KO Cup Final – Bicester 20 v Banbury 15

Four in a Row for Bicester

Bicester U14 recorded their fourth consecutive Oxfordshire title, just edging Banbury U14 at Stratfield Brake on Sunday. Congratulations must go to both teams who put on a great display of rugby for a sizeable crowd.

Both teams started the game nervously, with a knock on by Banbury from the kick off, under pressure from Ollie Cassidy and Tom Burrell allowing Bicester to spend the first five minutes of the game in the Banbury half. Bicester, playing into the wind dominated territory in the opening exchanges, but it was the Banbury forwards who had the edge in both loose and tight phases and they held Bicester.

Bicester broke the deadlock when the ball was moved quickly away from a scrum on halfway, centre Henry Gayler broke the line and outpaced the Banbury defence to score.
Banbury looked sharp from the resulting kick off and a period of continued pressure saw Bicester infringe, going off their feet in the ruck, the Banbury Kicker, with the wind at his back calmly slotted to make it 5 – 3.

Bicester finally began to exert some control in the forwards and following a strange kick, luckily fielded by Dan Rowland Bicester once more saw themselves in the Banbury Half. A subsequent scrum to Banbury was pinched against the head by James Nellis, quick reactions from the half backs saw the ball spread wide, a half break by Henry was taken on by James Grosvenor and fed to Dan who showed his speed down the left wing, rounded the defence and finished under the posts. Again the simple conversion was missed 10 – 3.

The second half started much as the first half, this time Bicester making errors at the restart, allowing Banbury to put on the pressure. An exciting period of play saw both sides playing great rugby, nullified by great defence by their opponents. Eventually the Banbury pressure told, and from a series of rolling mauls, they were eventually awarded a try in the left hand corner 10 – 8.

Once again Bicester took control from the restart forcing Banbury to concede a lineout in their 22. The ball from the line out was spread wide and great handling from the Bicester centres saw the ball quickly to the right wing where Anthony Iveson was well tackled by the Banbury wing. Banbury came in from the side at the ruck and the resulting penalty allowed Bicester to draw in the Banbury forwards following a typical bullocking run from Jordan Hirons, Banbury had not retreated 10m and the subsequent penalty was taken quickly, allowing Tim Price to put Tom Burrell in for the third Bicester Try. 15 – 8.

Bicester continued to press and in a moment of individual skill, James Grosvenor beat several would be tacklers and calmly chipped the ball over the full back. James was first to the ball, hacked on and won the foot race to score, seemingly inches before the dead ball line. 20 – 8.

The remaining 8 or so minutes were a tense affair and a spirited Banbury were clearly not beaten. numerous breaks were made by their ever present back row and pacey backs. One such break looked odds on to produce a score when their right winger appeared in the centre of the pitch, one on one with the Bicester Fullback. Tim Price, as solid as ever made the tackle and thwarted the attack. Banbury however were not going to be repelled easily, with five minutes remaining they crossed under the posts for a converted try 20 – 15.

The remaining minutes seemed to be all Banbury. The only foray into the Banbury half being cut short following poor discipline leading to the referee reversing a penalty for back chat. The resulting penalty was run quickly by Banbury and several phases of play saw them into the Bicester 22, looking very likely to score. Quick hands found the ball moved again to their left wing, unfortunately the pass was a difficult one to take and was knocked on. Game over – Bicester 20 – Banbury 15.

Congratulations must go, not only to the 22 Bicester players who made the squad, but also those

other members of the 36 strong age group who did not. Without such a strong squad the fourth win in four years would not have been possible.

Match report Bicester v Wallingford - 15 March

Bicester 32 v Wallingford 0

Wallingford proved to be strong opposition, their defence was very good and they threatened to score on a number of occasions. Bicester put in a good whole team performance with committed tackling and well executed tries to secure victory.

Bicester started brightly again taking the game to Wallingford and building patiently. Having worked calmly through several phases of forwards play, they spun the ball out wide through good hands for Tim Price to open the scoring. Unfortunately Tim hurt his leg in the act of scoring and took no further part in the game.

Wallingford reacted well, the next 10 minutes being end to end play, and had chances to pull back putting their hosts under pressure with their kicking game.

Oliver Cassidy had a couple of good carries into their 22, unfortunately the final pass to Tom Burrell on the overlap going astray on both occasions. Tom made a break himself down the left flank but checked his run when perhaps he should have gone for the corner. Bicester again attacked down the left, were stopped short but Wallingford were penalised for a high tackle. Mats Venning picked out Jordan Hirons as the runner who buried in low for a well executed try.

Wallingford continued to test Bicesters backs with kick and chase, but when Callum McCulloch returned one breaking the line, he found Antony Iveson at pace who took the ball on across the halfway line, Ollie Cass took it on and found Henry in support who burst for the left hand corner, great cover defence forced him to pass inside just before being forced into touch, Wallingford knocked on and James Grosvenor reacted quickly to pick up the loose ball and find the gap for a try. HT: 15-0

The second half saw Wallingford understandably tire due to the amount of defensive work they had put in, Bicester improved their rucking and raised the pace of attack as the gaps opened up putting on some entertaining running rugby.

Quick ball was fed out to Harry Court who raced to the corner and looked certain to score but for a creditable cover tackle with the Wallingford player doing well to get under him and the ball. Bicester scored from the 5m scrum that followed with Henry on the crashball taking them within a couple of metres short and offloading to James Grosvenor who crossed for his second try converted by Callum McC.

A decisive break for the corner was again well defended as Henry was slammed into touch. Soon after James Nellis took a 5m scrum against the head, James G picked up at the back to feed Henry out wide who stepped through the gap to score.

Bicester’s last try was a cracker, another good break from Henry who fixed the last defender with a nicely delayed pass to Harry Court on the perfect support line to form the overlap and score.

Late and spirited efforts by Wallingford were thwarted first by a good tackle on the wing by Mats, followed by a try saving tackle by Chris Nourse in the dying seconds to put the Wallingford player into touch and keep the clean sheet.


Try Scorers: Tim Price, Jordan Hirons, James Grosvenor (2), Henry Gayler and Harry Court

Conversion: Callum McCulloch

Players Man of Match: Henry Gayler

Coaches Man of Match: Henry Gayler

U14s in County Cup Final for 4th year in a row

Bicester 30 v Chinnor 12

What should have been the highlight of the season so far, for two talented sides playing under floodlights for the first time for a place in the Cup Final, resulted in a match which was to large degree spoiled by the referee. Both teams were prevented from creating more than a couple of phases at a time due to the constant stream of penalties and stoppages, resulting in a fairly anti-climatic game which was a big disappointment to all involved and the large number of enthusiastic supporters. The players from both teams were exceptional in maintaining such good discipline throughout under difficult circumstances, attempting to get on with the game. The best thing to come out of the evening is the improved strength of the already good relationship between these two clubs and we thank Chinnor for their part in that.

Bicester started brightly forcing play into Chinnors half. Good pressure in defence from the centres forced loose ball which Chris Nourse was first to, his kick through was picked up by Dan Rowland who finished in the right hand corner for the first score. Bicesters second came shortly after when a quickly taken penalty was moved across the centres out left, Chinnor were able to stop the attack but were short of numbers as Bicester recycled quick ball for Ed Mawdsley to finish from close range.

Chinnor responded well to going 10-0 down so early to build pressure of their own, enjoying a sustained period of attack. A kick and chase was well dealt with by fullback Tim Price but the 22 drop out that followed was sliced, Chinnor collected on the left wing and scored a well finished try by stepping inside the last tackler to put themselves right back into the game. However Bicester were quickly able to extend their lead, the move started when a big hit by Henry Gayler led to turnover ball, William Allen-Miles took the ball on and set well, the ball moved out wide where Tom Burrell collected on the 22 and showed great pace down the left wing to score, Dan added the conversion. Henry made a decisive break cutting inside twice before feeding winger Antony Iveson who sprinted for the corner, a good cover tackle forced Antony into touch 5m short. As Bicester stole at the lineout, Chinnor were penalised, Mats Venning took the quick option and fed James Grosvenor who crashed straight through the defence for a try. HT 22-5.

Chinnor rallied after the break taking the game to Bicester with a lengthy period of play in our 22. Bicester were repeatedly penalised during this period, and suffered with 2 players being sin binned. Chinnor scored immediately after the second yellow card and converted to pull back to 22-12. Bicester showed great character coupled with good decision making whilst down to 13 men. Ed Mawdsley led the defence tackling anything that moved, Henry covered the centres and when a penalty was awarded elected to kick making sure Antony used the full minute to add the 3 points. With the sin bins over, Bicester controlled the closing period and were able to add another score through James G off the back of a scrum from 22m out. They now wait to find out whether they will meet Oxford or Banbury in their fourth consecutive County Cup Final.

One more individual mention, Ollie Cassidy put in seasons best performance which was not lost on the watching County Coach who has since approached Ollie. On the subject of County, for anyone interested the first full blown County match is to be played on Wed 04 March v Warwickshire at Chinnor again under floodlights with a 6.30 kick-off, Henry has been selected to start at openside flanker and we wish him a good game.

Try Scorers: Dan Rowland, Ed Mawdsley, Tom Burrell, and James Grosvenor (2)

Conversion: Dan Rowland

Penalty: Antony Iveson

Coaches Man of Match: Ed Mawdsley