Match report Bicester 'B' v Marlow 'B' - 25 Jan

Bicester ‘B’ 57 v Marlow ‘B’ 0

Bicester ‘B’s were simply excellent. This performance, coupled with last weeks effort against A&C, have proven to be their finest back to back games in recent seasons. Against the unknown quantity of a first meeting with Marlow, they came out full of confidence and delivered high quality rugby based around good structure, teamwork and continuity. Individual mentions for Harry Court who put in a solid display at 10 setting his backs well and varying his options, Will Allen-Miles took the ball on well through instinctive support play, PJ Gardiner adjusted well to being selected at fullback and would have learnt from the experience, and Jack Stone put in his seasons best performance, his rucking was second to none and with him stepping up to run penalties he has been rewarded with the Coaches MOM. Ben Jenks continued his good place kicking form and currently tops the squads averages.

The early exchanges between the forwards saw Bicester take the edge through good rucking and force a penalty. Jack took the running option and fed Tim Price out wide, Tim cut back inside and set the ruck, quick ball from PJ out to Callum Robertson who broke the line and popped to Ben Jenks who shrugged off the tackle to score under the posts for Bicesters first try. Callum collected from the restart and made a second decisive line break which was supported and taken on by Will, Harry C collected the pass to round the Marlow winger and finish under the posts.

Marlow rallied and put together a series of phases holding possession and forcing Bicester into their own half. The pressure was felt for 5 minutes until Bicester put up a huge kick and chase up to the Marlow 22, Marcus Linfoot was first to follow up and turned over the ball which Harry Bishop took on and found Tim Price on the wing who scored in the corner. Bicester were dominant, another penalty was awarded which Ben took quickly to make a 10m punch up to halfway, Callum took the ball at pace, found a gap and sprinted in to score his first try for Bicester. PJ Gardiner added a fifth try before the break, a fine individual effort as he showed great commitment and skill to dive and collect a clearance kick got straight up and ran through the surprised defence to score. HT: 31-0.

Credit should be given to Marlow for not dropping their heads and fighting to the end, but the second half saw 4 more tries for the home side together with a second successive clean sheet. From a scrum, Isaac Bensley gave quick ball to Harry C who stepped first inside and then outside his tacklers before bursting under the posts for his second try of the match. Fine support play ended with Joel Miller putting in James Nellis for his try from close range. A strong break by Conor White was supported and finished by Henry. Marcus created turnover again on his own 22 and set off to run all the way to the line and score the last try of the match.

Try Scorers: Ben Jenks, Harry Court (2), Tim Price, Callum Robertson, PJ Gardiner, James Nellis, Henry Gayler and Marcus Linfoot

Conversions: Ben Jenks (6)

Players Man of Match: The team

Coaches Man of Match: Jack Stone