Dorset & Wiltshire U20 13 - Buckinghamshire U20 12
Feb
A thrilling encounter at Bournemouth RFC finally resulted in a nerve shattering conclusion as Dorset & Wilts U20s clung on the beat Buckinghamshire U20s by a single point. The result was in doubt up to the final seconds when Bucks battered the D&W line only to be forced into a knock on by a desperate tackle a yard from the line.
Throughout the game the two well matched sides swapped the lead and with an excellent but strict referee, Andy Johnson, controlling the game with confidence, the game flowed from end to end with both sides defensive capability stretched to the limits. Although there were three yellow cards during the game all were the result of technical offences brought about by the intense struggle for supremacy and neither the players nor the spectators felt aggrieved by the decisions.
Buckinghamshire held sway in the scum, ruck and maul but at the lineout D&W were outstanding particularly second row James Walter who not only scored the first try of the match, from a lineout catch near the Bucks line, but also managed to steal several Bucks throws at critical moments. Also outstanding was D&W open side flanker Richard Miller who capped a fine game with a tap back from the second half kick-off to stand-off, Mike Pope, who skinned the Bucks defence with a brilliant individual try. For this moment of genius but also for an all-round masterly display, including the match winning penalty kick, Pope was awarded man of the match.
Both Buckinghamshire trys were the result of their supremacy in the tight aspects of their forward play, the first from a pushover scrum the second a well organised rolling maul.
It is a cliché but it would be fair to say that neither side deserved to lose this game which was much enjoyed by the large crowd.
