Match Report v Aylesbury - 21 Dec

Bicester 22 v Aylesbury 17

Aylesbury arrived two men short, and were loaned Scott Povey at lock and Charlie Bethell (who had come to support) at centre.

During the opening exchanges, both sides showed their intent to play open rugby. Callum McCulloch was unlucky to see his fine clearance kick overrun for a 22 drop out. Bicester built pressure and a good line break by 2nd row Henry Gayler found Will Brett-Harding on the wing who was forced into touch. Aylesbury lineout was stolen by Conor White who broke through and set 5m out, Dougie Haynes took it over but was held up. From the ensuing 5m scrum, quick ball from scrum half Isaac Bensley was moved out wide along captain Harry Courts perfectly set backs line to create the overlap for PJ Gardiner on the left wing who went over fro the opening score. Dougie slotted the difficult conversion. Sharon Gardiner went for lie down.

Aylesbury took a scrum against the head and enjoyed some time in Bicesters half until Henry sent a huge kick down field, the ball just crossed the try line and Aylesbury managed to touch down for a 22 dropout. The kick was taken superbly by PJ at pace and he raced toward the line but was put into touch as he reached the corner flag. Conor stole their lineout again, this time going over for his first try of the season.

Dougie had to leave the field when his recent knee strain recurred whilst making a clearance kick, luckily Ben Jenks was at Chesterton to help out with his younger brother’s age group and was able to replace Dougie, the game held up while he struggled into Dougies tight fitting shorts.

Aylesburys halfbacks continued to threaten. Missed tackles gave Scott the opening for a line break, a high tackle on Scott from Bicester fullback Callum was penalised by the referee and punished by the Aylesbury scrum half who reacted quickly to tap to himself cross for their first try.

Hooker Ollie Cavey took a scrum against the head from which Conor made a charging run and offload, Bicester moved toward the line and PJ cut inside for a well finished score. HT: 17-5.

Bicester found an edge to their game during the first period of the second half, dominating both possession and territory. An Aylesbury clearance kick found touch in Bicesters half but quick lineout from Henry found Tom Burrell in midfield who set off on a counter attack involving great support play from Conor and Ben J who found Giles Baldwin out wide. Giles headed for the corner and passed inside to Tom who crossed but to no avail as the touch judge had raised his flag on Giles. Under pressure again on their own lineout, Aylesbury were penalised. No8 Marcus Linfoot picked up off the back of the 5m scrum, he was stopped 2m short of the line but had Henry in support to make the score.

Aylesbury raised their game for the closing quarter. A combination of some testing kicks, some panicky play amongst our backs and a couple of failed attempts to clear our line saw Bicester on the backfoot. Just when it looked like we had regained a bit of composure, Charlie Bethell stole from Ben Saltzer and finished under the posts in Aylesbury colours, his try was converted. Their spirited comeback continued and resulted in a third try. Bicester found the required calm to play out the last few minutes with secured possession and take the win.

Thanks to Scott and Charlie for playing for the opposition, however an unforgiving Statto has awarded Charlie mid season stats of -5 points.

Try Scorers: PJ Gardiner (2), Conor White and Henry Gayler

Conversion: Dougie Haynes

Players Man of Match: Henry Gayler

Coaches Man of Match: Conor White