Match report Bicester 'B' v Cheltenham 'B' - 23 Nov

Bicester 'B' 20 v Cheltenham 'B' 10

Bicester started brightly with Harry Bishop creating some good phases of play, the team drove forward with some good quick rucking and ball movement, breaks from Tom Burrell and Ben Saltzer giving the Cheltenham defence a few early tests. A burst from Antony Iveson was stopped by his opposite No8, the first of many clashes between these two who emerged as the key players for each side. The period of pressure paid off when Antony finished off the good work of his teammates to ‘bustled over from 5m for the first try’ near the corner (the term ‘bustled’ courtesy of Jude Bensley). Cheltenham got themselves into the game with their No8 picking off the back of successive scrums and their lively scrum half making a few half break, and came close to scoring from a cleverly placed kick from their fullback which caught out winger Joel Miller. The boys forced play back into the oppositions half and piled on the pressure again. Ben saltzer showed some good running lines and off loads to Tom Burrell who threatened at centre. Antony received a warning form the ref for being over aggressive with his new found friend, but to his credit calmed it down from then on. Cheltenham defended well but eventually were penalised 10m out, Bicester opted to run it using Antony who powered over for his second try nicely converted by Ben Jenks. Cheltenham pulled one back before half time with another kick over the defence by the fullback this time chased through for the score exposing Bicesters lack off pace at the back. Bicester defended their line well to deny the visitors before the break. HT 12-5

Cheltenham started the second half well, pinning Bicester back for 10 minutes or so. Using the option of kicking over the wingers heads to the corners, and with Joel and Reece Gonella caught napping, they were close to scoring. But Bicester showed excellent spirit in defence and keep their lead throughout the period of pressure. Having weathered the storm, the boys again took the game to Cheltenham with some notable hard work from Scott Povey in the loose creating turnover and nearly scoring from one of his carries. Having opted to run a penalty in front of the posts to no avail, Ben Jenks stepped up when given a second opportunity to kick the 3 points and extend the lead beyond a converted try at 15-5. Cheltenham built again, with their scrum half and flankers putting PJ Gardiner under a lot of pressure which led to slow ball for Ben Saltzer, and were rewarded when the ball was moved quickly wide with their second try in the corner. At 15-10 with 5 minutes remaining, decision making would prove key to holding out for the win as Bicester sensibly held onto possession and slowed things down. Antony was unceremoniously floored by the No8 as he made another searing break, but toughed it out to stay on. In the last minute, George Myers broke form a maul on halfway and raced in for a score to seal the victory. George had shown strong leadership as he captained the side for the first time and was rewarded with the players vote for MOM.

A very entertaining, and on the whole cleanly fought match, with Bicester turning round last seasons result to run out deserved winners.

Try Scorers: Antony Iveson (2), George Myers

Conversion: Ben Jenks

Penalty: Ben Jenks

Players Man of Match: George Myers

Coaches Man of Match: Antony Iveson