Match Report v Shipston 02 Nov

Bicester 19 v Shipston 21

Shipston showed their forwards strength in the opening exchanges forcing Bicester back into their 22, they gave a way a couple of penalties from which Bicester failed to find touch as they tried to go for too much distance rather than securing the lineout. Shipston ran these back at us and through some very good rucking pushed up to the try line. They were dominant in a series of 5m scrums from which they opened the scoring with a well worked try which was converted for a 7-0 lead. Bicester were awarded a string of penalties but with unsupported runners really did not make the most of them. Bicester put in some important tackles as Shipston threatened with good straight running lines. Through improved effort and teamwork, Bicester forced themselves back into the match and equalled things up in the tight. They enjoyed some time in the opponents half, and their opening score came when Ed Mawdsley picked up of the back of a scrum and dived in low to make sure of the try, the conversion was missed and the half ended 5-7 with all to play for.

The referee, having already been forced to have words with the captains, made his intentions clear at half time as both sides were warned that the sin bin would be used if things were not calmed down, both responded to provide a hard fought but clean second half.

Bicester upped their game, lead by Dan Rowland whose aggressive tackling and chasing down spurred on the whole team for a period in which they were the better side. Repeated pressure forced an overlap and Dan sprinted onto a lovely placed cross kick from Charlie Bethell to get the touch and take the lead at 10-7.

Dan added his second with a typically strong individual effort from 25m out rounding the defence into the corner and with the last tackle being missed ending up under the posts. Callum added the extras and at 17-7 Bicester should have closed out the game. They had plenty of possession but were not getting quick ball away from the breakdown and were also guilty of some sideways running. Shipston to their credit were able to force a second converted try. With only a couple of minutes remaining, Shipston kicked downfield. Two opportunities to get the ball into touch were not taken, instead the ball was kicked open and Shipston finished in the opposite corner, a superbly taken conversion and Shipston were ahead 21-17. With seconds to play, Bicester turned over from the restart and Dan raced down the line to attempt to score in the corner, he was tackled short and the Shipston fullback got his arm under the ball to deny a winning score.

The boys had put in huge effort and the team spirit was good, however were left to ponder how they could have done things differently for the win was surely in their hands.

Try Scorers: Ed Mawdsley, Dan Rowland (2)

Conversions: Callum McCulloch

Players Man of Match: Dan Rowland

Coaches Man of Match: Dan Rowland (for his aggressive play and high tackle count)