Kicks Decide 10 Try Thriller

First Half
This 10 try thriller with 5 tries from each side, the difference being the kicking ability of MK`s Andy White, converting 3 of the MK tries and Grove unable to convert any, including 2 in front of the posts. Although the score was close MK were always in control, never lost the lead from the 1st try by scrum half Joe Gorman. From a lineout 30 metres out Joe secured the ball, dummy passed and cut back inside beating 3 defenders and created a great touchdown, 2 points added by Andy White. 4 min`s later MK were awarded a penalty just inside the defending sides half, Andy fancied his chances, the ball hit the upright and the MK fowards just failed to secure the ball to score from the rebound.

On 24 min`s Grove intercepted the ball and made the line, the conversion was missed. 3 minutes from the end of the half MK were on the rampage again, cente Andy Poole made 30 metres but was tackled just before the line, the Mk forwards charged in, secured the ball and Neal Williams scored his first try on his first team debut. Andy White converted again. From the restart MK passed the ball through the 3/4`s and centre Dan Pearson was on hand to skip round the last defender to add a further 5 points, this time White missed the conversion.

Time in the half was almost gone and MK were 14 points clear, but the game turned again when a lack of concentration allowed the home side to pick up a late try, this was the final play of the half.

H/T: Grove 19 - 10 Firsts

Second Half
The second half started at the same vigarous pace. 10 minutes in the off field management decided to bring on fresh legs. Dale Lazenby and Neal Williams were replaced by Stuart Tomkinson and Kieran McConnell, Phil Powell came on for Andy Poole. Just following these changes Grove grabbed another try from a quick tap penalty to close the gap to 4 points. MK needed to raise their game and this they did, MK attacked up field and with the ball going from one side to the other Dan Walker decided to break the defensive line. After beating 2 players he had just the fullback to beat and this he did by chipping over and gathering his own kick to score. Dan Pearson took on the kicking duty but narrowly missed the uprights.

Grove were still not willing to give in and scored again through their forwards taking the score to 24 - 20 in favour of MK, and still all to play for. With only 2 minuts of time left MK attacked again Joe Gormam made good ground to get close to the line and with a slip pass to Phil Powell, Powell scored. Andy White getting the 2 points made the score 31-20 and assured MK of a win. The Referee indicated 2 minutes of injury time and Grove pulled it back again with another try to give the final result to MK.

Next Saturday MK 1st XV entertain the home followers with newly promoted Chipping Norton.

Lineup
R.Hill, D.Lazenby, W.Hignell, M.Austin, M.Lambert (c), N.Williams, S.White, S.Christie, J.Gorman, A.White, T.Parkinson, A.Poole, D.Pearson, D.Walker, T.Woodhall

Replacements
K.McConnell, S.Tomkinson, P.Powell

Report Written By - John Silk