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

Bicester ‘A’ 19 v Cheltenham ‘A’ 17

A keenly contested match by two equally matched sides saw Bicester win by the narrowest of margins.
Following last season’s game, Bicester were fully aware that they faced perhaps one of their toughest encounters of the season. In what proved to be a bruising and sometimes ill tempered affair, marred at times by ill-discipline particularly by the home side, little quarter was asked or given.
The game started at a high tempo, with both sides displaying excellent skill levels with both defences standing firm during the opening exchanges. The stalemate was finally broken by a superb solo try by Dan Rowland, put into space by his fellow backs, Dan used his pace and strength to break two tackles, avoid two more and beat the Cheltenham full back in the foot race to score virtually under the posts. Dougie Haynes added the conversion.
The next fifteen or so minutes were dominated by Cheltenham, with only great defensive work, particularly by Tim Price at fullback keeping them at bay. Harry Court left the field due to injury and Bicester were forced to re arrange with James Nellis filling in at flanker and James Grosvenor moving out to the wing. Eventually a telling individual break by the Cheltenham scrum half and one missed tackle saw the visitors deservedly regain parity.
Half Time Score Bicester ‘A’ 7 V Cheltenham ‘A’ 7

The second half began poorly for Bicester who were offside at the kick off. The resulting scrum allowed Cheltenham to continue the pressure they had built up towards the end of the first half and the home defence began to creak. Once again fine reading of the game and excellent tackling by Tim Price prevented more scores. With around five minutes of the half gone, Bicester cracked, a sweeping backs move saw Tim again in the last line of defence, but reckless use of the boot by Dan Rowland saw the first yellow card produced and Bicester reduced to 14. From the ensuing penalty, cleverly used, Cheltenham moved into a 7 - 12 lead and Bicester were reduced to 13 men when Dougie Haynes petulantly argued with the referee.
Bicester were lucky that Cheltenham were only able to add one further try 7 - 17. Clever tactical kicking by a resurgent Mats Venning at scrum half, who showed some of his old form, hard work by Cameron, Henry and James G, the ever destructive tackling of Tim and a cohesive and disciplined showing by the forwards, particularly in the loose, led by Ollie Cassidy and Jordan saw the damage limited.
Despite the lack of numbers Bicester attacked and when quick ball from Mats allowed Chris Nourse to find Henry, on a yet another superb angled run, the Cheltenham defence was left flat footed as he sprinted clear to score under the posts, before coolly converting with a nonchalant drop kick 12 – 17.
When Bicester were back to full strength with around eight minutes remaining the stage was set for a spectacular finale. Playing down the slope Bicester dominated, with Cheltenham only sporadically able to get from their 22. Again clever kicking saw the visitors hemmed in, and when one quick throw in too many was taken, a crunching tackle by Henry signalled Bicester’s resolve.
Unfortunately, once again the blood was up and a further episode of handbags resulted in Henry and the Cheltenham second row seeing yellow. With only 3 minutes remaining and both sides down to 14 players, Bicester continued to press. Finally, with less than a minute left the home side were able to capitalise and after a series of well managed phases, Dougie Haynes crashed over in the corner with inches to spare. The touch line conversion was missed but the final whistle sounded.

Final Score Bicester ‘A’ 19 V Cheltenham ‘A’ 17

Tries: Dan Rowland, Henry Gayler, Dougie Haynes

Conversions: Dougie Haynes, Henry Gayler

Coaches Man of the Match: Tim Price