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.

I heard

I heard that Dale McNicholas cried off on the Tuesday before the game because he had a cold. I heard that he was spotted in the Royal Oak in Chapel at the weekend looking pink and healthy.

I heard that Tim Charles devised a new penalty move and explained it to everyone before the game. I heard that in showing the players how it was done he fell flat on his face.

I heard that Mike Barber was playing. I heard that Mike Barber lost his temper with their smallest player and was sent to the Creche for ten minutes to cool down.

I heard that Tim Charles has been having boxing lessons down at Village Spartans. I heard that during the match he unleashed a gay slap at one of the Stockport players. I heard that Sir laughed so much that he forgot to send him to the the sin bin.

I heard that Geoff has been watching to much rugby on tele. I heard that he took a quick throw in to himself five metres from his own line. I heard that things didn't work out to well.

I heard that Captain our Captain can't count. I heard that he thought Buxton were two points ahead when they scored the final try. I heard he told TC not to worry about his kick. (That's what TC is saying anyway)

I heard that Gytie had to order court back into session. I heard that he was not happy about the quality of the Jack Daniels that a certain traffic cop had brought with him. I heard that when asked to taste it Scottie said straight away "its tastes of piss". I heard that Mr Scrimshaw confessed that it was piss he had collected from his dog. I heard that he was made to drink it.

Sounds like a great day, I'm only sorry I missed it.

England vs South Africa, disallowed try

Judge for yourself. Does anyone know Dickinson's address?

Kenny Rogers - The Gambler

Is this the next English Rugby Anthem?

How to Shower: Women vs. Men

A little bit of light entertainment before saturday nights tension.

France VS England (update) defeat

Carrington 2nds v Buxton 3rds

Buxton 3rds arrived at Carrington with hopes of lifting their game after last week's disappointment. The opening 5 minutes saw the Buxton pack dominate in the loose and the backs gaining territory each time the ball was passed wide. Carrington defended well kicking from inside the twenty two at every opportunity setting the tone for the rest of the game. A knock on from Buxton gave the opposition clean ball from the scrum and a break away try was scored against the run of play. With points on the board Carrington played with increasing confidence scoring twice more before the interval. Buxton began the second half with renewed vigour Uprichard, Austin and Bearman taking complete control of the scrum and Charles claiming ball after ball from the line out. Buxton kept possession with Henderson, Bird, Dilworth and Allen driving ball after ball forward. When Carrington had the chance to kick, touch was rarely found with Bennison and Gyte in particular not missing an opportunity to catch the ball and run back aggressively into the opponents half. Poole, Graham and Weston joined by Wilson after the break kept the ball moving along the line and together with Ritchie defended well when the opposition took the ball in hand. First Bird followed by Austin then Wilson looked as though they would score being held just short of the line. Finally Preece with a trade mark dummy gave Buxton their first deserved points, Charles narrowly missing the conversion. Taylor and Annison joined the battle and immediately found themselves in the heart of the action. With the clock ticking and Buxton in need of points a penalty kick was declined and a scrum taken. The ball again was knocked forward, Carrington won the subsequent scrum, the ball was kicked over the tiring Buxton defence and a try scored.
A final score of 24-5 did not do justice for the effort that the Buxton team put into this game particularly in the second half. However, heart should be taken from the game and carried forward to next week when Stockport 4ths visit Sunnyfields.
Buxton would like to wish Carrington well for the next round of the Halbro Plate Competition.
The team was - Bearman, Austin, Uprichard, Dilworth, Bird, Taylor, Henderson, Charles, Allen (c), Preece, Poole, Graham, Weston, Wilson, Ritchie, Gyte Bennison and Annison.