Thirds notch up first win 17-7 over Old Bedians

Buxton Thirds got their first win of the season with a battling and workman like win over fellow strugglers Old Bedians. The win lifts the thirds off the bottom of Division 5 South in the Miller Homes League. With plenty of subs the Thirds could concentrate on going flat out from the off, but despite opportunities were unable to break down a stubborn Old Bedians defence. With the scrum and line out functioning effectively Buxton were able to exert plenty of pressure in the set piece, the front row of Bearman Fussell and Austin looking comfortable and assured and the benefits of training showed through with Allen and Cavanagh providing the power in the second row. Edge and Poole had plenty of quality possession to distribute. Buxton's best chance of the first half came from a penalty move deep in their own twenty two. Skipper Allen spotted the space and instead of kicking for safety Poole took a tap and sent the ball out to Nichols. He broke through the Old Bedians defence and jinked his way some thirty metres up field. With opportunities outside him he back himself and the move died when he was brought to ground. With the backrow of Charles, Chapman and Henderson hitting the rucks the quality of possession was much

improved and the thirds defensive lines kept the sporadic Old Bedian attacks at bay. The conditions did not favour open back play but Ford and Politt used the limited opportunities well and Ritchie carried well. The half time score of 0-0 did not adequately reflect the thirds dominance. To their credit they started the second half even more strongly. Using the driving maul to more effect they marched into the Old Bedians half, and set up a number of attacking positions. A series of drives for the line led by Austin and Allen fractured the Old Bedians defence and Cavanagh crashed through to score a well worked try. Some positional changes and the introduction of fresh legs helped Buxton keep up the momentum. From broken play Edge found Hoodie lurking off his wing and he produced a burst of speed to take him clear of the defenders and under the posts for the second try. Charles converted and in the conditions 12-0 looked a wining scoreline. A lapse in concentration let Old Bedians back in. They countered with a series of sweeping moves and after switching play to the right managed to burrow over close to the touchline despite Gardin's efforts. A superb conversion took the scoreline to 12-5. For the next five minutes Old Bedians were back in the match. Excellent tacking and support kept them at bay, and Bennison cleared the danger by breaking out of his twenty two. The game was effectively sealed with ten minutes to go. Buxton wrecked an Old Bedians scrum, forcing them back towards their line. Allen nicked the ball from the ruck and Chapman darted for the line only to be held up. Preece set the move up again and the ball went through a number of hands close to the line before Charles crashed over to make the game safe.

A big thank you to the Buxton players who offered to play for Old Bedians, in particular Ian Henderson who propped for them the second half to keep the scrums contested.The win will boost the Thirds confidence and the improvements show how vital it is to keep on training. Next week they are away to Stockport.

Buxton were; Bearman, Fussell, Austin, Allen, Cavanagh, Henderson, Chapman, Charles, Edge, Poole, Ritchie, Nichols, Gardin, Pollitt, Gyte, Dilworth, Purvis, Hoodie, Rose, Ford, Bennison, Woodward, Burton.