City 1s just miss out on Bucks Cup Final after pushing High Wycombe all the way

First Half
Milton Keynes took on High Wycombe for the third year running in the Buck`s Cup, after losing 2 finals they were hoping to turn over the 2nd placed leaders of the league above, in this seasons semi final to set up a North Bucks Cup Final with Olney.

It was only 5 minutes in when High Wycombe scored their first try under the posts and converted, testing the resolve of the home side, and it only took 10 minutes for Milton Keynes to reply. Dan Pearson gathered the ball behind the scrum on the High Wycombe 22 line, Pearson was of on one of his exciting runs, cutting through several defenders he went under the posts to score. Mike Deans obliged with the 2 points and so the scores were even. The half progressed with Milton Keynes in a cavalier mood using the whole team to play the ball in hand come agonisingly close on 2 occasions, the first deemed a forward pass, and the second as the last certain try pass was intercepted by the High Wycombe winger.

Just as it looked as if the half would end 7 points each, 3 minutes into added time the visitors scored and converted, not to be out down Milton Keynes went back on the attack and just failed to cross the line, the last kick of the half was a drop goal from Phil Powell, the score 10-14 at the break.

H/T: Firsts 10 - 14 High Wycombe

Second Half
The second half started with an identical start to the first half with a unconverted try 5 minutes into the game for High Wycombe, which gave them a cushion of 9 points, however, most opportunities in the half fell to MK, they struck again with an interception from deep into home territory, the ball collected by winger Dan Walker, who ran virtually the length of the field, he was tackled 10 metres short but Dan Pearson was up with play and took the pass from Dan Walker as he hit the ground, the conversion would bring Milton Keynes within 2 points of High Wycombe, the kick way out on the touchline was sweetly struck by Phil Powell and suddenly Milton Keynes were back in with a chance.

However, sadly it was not to be, from the kick off High Wycombe were awarded penalty centre field, the penalty kick crept inside the left upright and High Wycombe were 5 points in the lead once again. However, MK were not finished and a great break from young winger John Manley in his own half, resulted in centre Dave Matthews taking the pass with the line in sight, the final pass from Dave was not taken and High Wycombe supporters breathed a sigh of relief as the referee blew the final whistle ensuring Wycombe were into the final once again. The final score Milton Keynes 17 - High Wycombe 22. A close fought game that a weakened MK team felt they could have taken.

The season of 2009/2010 has been hectic but enjoyable, it just remains for 2 more weekends, the inter club game for the Presidents and Club Dinner on 22-5-10, and finally 'The Hemingway Sevens' with the final party at Greenley`s before the club moves in the summer to the new Emerson Valley Rugby complex.

Report Written By - John Silk