Lacklustre Thirds lose to Burnage

Buxton 5, Burnage 31

This was a lacklustre and at times spineless performance by the thirds. Their attitude was exemplified by the opening moments of the game when Burnage’s kick failed to make the ten metres. Buxton stood still waiting for the referee to give them the option of a scrum back or the kick off again. The ref did not blow straight away and as Buxton ambled towards the centre for the scrum the Burnage loose head picked up the ball and ran at empty space. Fortunately for the Thirds the ref had spotted the miss kick and eventually blew up in favour for a Buxton scrum but it set the tone for much of the game. The saving grace was the attitude of the young guns that to a man gave outstanding performances whilst their older more experienced peers took the afternoon off. Simon Hodson who scored Buxton’s only try was a beacon of effort and courage and Matt Austin playing out of position in the centre looked like a veteran requiring two or three defenders to take him down. Nick Ritchie was tireless in running out of defence and Ben and Gaz played their hearts out when they were given the opportunity. Apart from the effort and endeavour of the youngsters nothing really seemed to go right for the thirds. Some of the decisions were difficult to fathom. Dilworth leaked penalties only because he was omnipresent and always in the thick of it. Ali Bearman had his best game in open play, running at the heart of the Burnage defence all afternoon but even he was frustrated by some of the decisions. The Buxton scrum had its moments but crucially having won all its own set piece and taken two against the head contrived to lose one against the head twenty meters from the line allowing Burnage to score. That and an unfortunate miss kick just after half time that gifted Burnage a seven pointer swung the game.

The try came form the best passage of play that the thirds strung together. Charles and Bosley drove up field, and ran into traffic. The ball was recycled quickly Cavanagh took the ball on and off loaded to Hodson who first glided then smashed his way over. A the second half progressed so the thirds gave glimpses of how they can play. Gyte bulldozed his way through a few defenders, Bosley made some powerful runs, Poole made a couple of half breaks and Graham and Preece used all their experience to try and set things going. Taylor put himself about effectively until an ankle injury forced him off, but there was not enough urgency and in the end Burnage wanted the game more.

Buxton were; Rose, Fussell, Bearman, Cavanagh, Taylor, Bosely (R Sole), Dilworth, Charles, Preece, Stratford, N Ritchie, Graham, Weston, Ritchie, Hodson, Bennison, Austin, Gyte, Henderson, Henlan,Ben and Gaz

Apres Match

Man of the Match - Simon Hodson

Twat in the Hat - Could have been one from many, but it was Pooley by a short head.

Quote of the Day - "Your're a fucking arsehole" the ref to Brendan.