19/10/08 Match Reports from Henley

Bicester ‘A’ 44 v Henley 0

(Match duration 30 mins)

The ever present travelling support were treated to an eight try victory for Bicester ‘A’.

Bicester survived an early scare where Henley really should have scored following some hesitant defence in front of the posts.

Bicester quickly settled and began to create calmer possession and the platform from which to attack. Jack Stones tackle forced turnover and he found Henry Gayler whose line break had the familiar sight of Dan Rowland on a running support line to sprint round the defence for the first try. The second came again from turnover in the tackle, Tim Price collecting the loose ball and feeding Henry at pace who was not going to be stopped from 10m out. Dan dropped kicked the conversion.

Bicester constantly put the opposition on the back foot by kicking deep and chasing down well. The tactic paid off when the full back was caught in front of the try line, the ball was turned over in the tackle and Dan added his second try form close range.

The next try was all about the forwards, patiently going through three phases of solid rucking close to the line from which Jordan Hirons broke through to score.

There was to be no let up for Henley now as the boys really had the bit between the teeth. A Henley lineout within their 22 saw the ball forced loose by pressure on the jumper from Tom Burrell, scrum-half Mats Venning was first to it and showed a nice step to beat two defenders on his way over the line.

Hard work from the forwards again forced the opposition backwards, Conor White broke free but was fouled as he headed for the line, Bicester opted to run the penalty through Cameron Fortin-Smith who set off to the left. Cammy was stopped short of the line but had pulled the defence with him and with quick ball to the right from Jack, good hands from the centres released Dan out wide to finish in the corner.

Henley were unlucky as they pressured Bicester back to the try line, only to see Henry send up a massive clearance kick. Dan reacted quickly, the combination of the height of the kick and his fantastic pace meant he met the fullback as he attempted to gather and was able to kick the ball on towards the posts. A favourable bounce and a dive under the posts saw Dan beat the chasing the defenders.

The final try was forced by great work initially from James Nellis, taken on strongly by Cameron to feed Mats who was stopped short but got the pass away to James in support to score.

A real team performance with good variation in attack, tries coming from all areas of play, solid defence, pressure on the opposition and good execution at the ruck provided a comfortable and well earned victory. It was good to see the forwards developing multiphase attacks and good signs of what we’ve been working on in training for last 2-3 weeks coming to fruition.


Try Scorers: Dan Rowland (4), Henry Gayler, Jordan Hirons, Mats Venning, and James Nellis

Conversions: Dan Rowland and Mats Venning

Players Man of Match: Connor White and Dan Rowland tied.

Coaches Man of Match: ‘The team’


Bicester ‘B’ 45 v Henley 12

(Match duration 30 mins)

There was to be no let up for Henley as Bicester ‘B’s showed the strength in depth that we are so lucky to be able to field. The Bicester forwards controlled the contact area with gutsy performances throughout, Harry Bishops took four scrums against the head. But it was with ball in hand that the lads really stepped up the pace of the game with good support and powerful running complimented some well timed passing.

After a closely contested opening five minutes, Bicester forced a scrum just inside the Henley half. Quick ball to through to Anthony Iveson at outside centre showing great strength to keep possession and offload to Giles Balldwin, Giles popped to William Allen-Miles in close support who drove through three defenders to finish under the posts, his try converted by Ben Jenks. Henley were quickly back in it with a try in the corner. Bicester extended their lead when Scott Povey mad the hard yards up the middle, the ball went loose but Ed Mawdsley was first to it to pick up and score from close range. Again Henley responded well and took the game to Bicester, their forwards built pressure and were rewarded with a converted try to trail 14-12. Henley enjoyed their best period and threatened to take the lead until Anthony set off from his own half, rounded three defenders and menacingly ran straight at and through the full back to score under the posts.

Bicester never looked back and put Henley under pressure for the rest of the match. Ben Jenks, clearly enjoying his chance at inside centre, took a straight line and delivered the perfect pass to commit the tackler and find Anthony at full pace for his second try. Ed repeated Anthony’s earlier exploits with a try from halfway, great pace and a couple of hand-offs on the way to the line. Bicester were now dominating possession and when Anthony broke the line there was no stopping him power home for his third.

Will won turnover ball and offloaded from the tackle to find Ollie Cassidy who made a strong break out of defence, Will was back up in support and took it on with a decisive run up to the line, he slowed to find support coming in the shape of Jordan who carried over to score.

Bicester almost added another with the final play of the game, an excellent move saw the ball sweep across the park with great handling involving Ellis Townsend and Giles steaming down the outside but he spilt the ball a metre short of the line.

A fine performance and another creditable victory. Well done lads.

Try Scorers: William Allen-Miles, Ed Mawdsley (2), Anthony Iveson (3), Jordan Hirons

Conversion: Ben Jenks (5)

Players Man of Match: William Allen-Miles and Anthony Iveson tied (included 3 votes for Isaac Bensley who played for Henley!! Well done Isaac)

Coaches Man of Match: William Allen-Miles