Bucks dominate gutsy Walsall

(Match report by Bucks reporter Rob Nesbitt)
Bucks kicked off and immediately demonstrated their positive intentions for this league match at Shobnall, giving their opposition no time at all in possession. Finding themselves deep in their ‘22’ Walsall were put under great pressure and it was clear that they were not at all comfortable. Bucks were all over their opponents and an attempted clearance kick was well charged down and Ross Harrison was on hand to collect the loose ball and score Bucks’ first try of the match near to the posts with not much more than one minute gone. Frank Simpson added the conversion (Bucks 7-0 Walsall).

From the re-start, Bucks continued to put Walsall under severe pressure in all aspects of the game and it was not long before this began to tell. The only territorial relief Walsall got was through some desperate clearance kicks! Isa Cashmore produced an excellent run from full-back, when he collected one of these. The Bucks next score never looked too far away.  Jack Roddick produced a scintillating break and play was taken deep into Walsall territory once again. For the next few minutes though Bucks had to remain patient as Walsall defended valiantly. From one of many attacks, Bucks secured good quick ball at a ruck and the ball was passed swiftly through the backs hands where Andrew Bird went over for a try in the corner. A difficult conversion was missed (Bucks 12-0 Walsall).

The next score followed almost immediately, with the Bucks forwards dominant and securing quality ball for the backs to run the Walsall defence ragged. Elliott Minns cut inside the cover defence and fed the supporting Alex Nesbitt who made no mistake in scoring near to the posts. The conversion just missed the target (Bucks 17-0 Walsall).

Walsall then had their best spell of the game and the Bucks found themselves under a little bit of pressure for the first time in the match. However the Bucks always looked stronger in tackles and rucks which enabled to keep their opponents at bay. After around 20 minutes of the game, some smooth-flowing rugby, featuring great support play and handling by the Bucks saw possession move from their own ‘22’ into their opponents ‘22’. Further possession was secured and once again the backs moved the ball very effectively through the hands allowing Matt Robinson to score on the right hand side. Unfortunately the final pass in the move saw Elliott Minns sustain a very painful shoulder injury, he was able to walk off the pitch following a long delay whilst he received treatment. Frank Simpson added the conversion and the Bucks increased their lead (Bucks 24-0 Walsall).

The injury meant a little re-shuffling to the backs line up, with Isa Cashmore moving to centre, Andrew Bird to full-back and replacement, Cameron Gaunt, on the wing. However the Bucks were not in the mood to let this upset their rhythm. The final score of the first-half came just inside the 30 minute mark – when the now rampaging Bucks retained possession and territorial dominance from the re-start. With play in the Walsall ‘22’ again Jack Roddick found himself at fly-half following a ruck in the Walsall ‘22’ – he showed watching coaches, and parents his great potential as a future back stepping off both sides to create space and finish off with his try in the left corner. Frank Simpson added an impressive conversion from far out on the left wing (Bucks 31-0 Walsall).

The remainder of the half was a scrappy affair with Walsall again trying to get back in the game whilst the Bucks were not able to make their superiority count in terms of further scores.
After the break when all the talk in the Bucks camp was about getting back into the scoring habit, the start to the second-half was pleasing and once again the Bucks took control of the game. Captain for the day, Alex Nesbitt ran an excellent line and made significant ground before off-loading to the supporting Frank Simpson, who scored a fine try after just 3 minutes. Frank added the conversion to increase the lead further (Bucks 38-0 Walsall).

The match was then once again dominated by Bucks. A good break from Isa Cashmore saw a ruck develop in the Walsall ‘22’ and Kieran Hall forced his way over the line to score the Bucks second try of the half. Frank Simpson added the conversion (Bucks 45-0 Walsall). The Bucks’ tails were well and truly up now and it was not long before another try followed. Great link-up play by Cameron Gaunt and Jack Roddick on the left-hand side meant the Bucks were now deep in Walsall’s territory. From a resultant ruck the backs showed great confidence and the simplicity, which had been missing just before half-time, eventually seeing Matt Robinson go over for his second try of the game. Frank Simpson once again added the conversion to take the score past the half-century (Bucks 52-0 Walsall).

The Bucks recorded a resounding win against a gallant Walsall team, who it must be said, were very sporting throughout despite the result. They were a credit to themselves and their coaches and parents in that they continued to try to play good structured rugby, despite the score line.

To the Bucks congratulations go to Jack Roddick who earned captain’s man-of-the-match. There were a number of contenders but Jack’s all-round display was excellent and provides real options as to his future position! To the rest of the team – well done on a very good performance by all who played