MILTON KEYNES FINAL TRIAL V TOWCESTER AT FIELD LANE

Following the first trial against Olney which was a split of 4 sessions and although Olney scored more tries than Milton Keynes the result was not of interest to either club, last weeks trial against Bugbrooke was more significant and gave the coaches some detail to work on

Milton Keynes hit the pitch running and took charge of the game from the start, 2 minutes in Milton Keynes were given a penalty, Phil Powell scored to put Milton Keynes on the score board first. The home side kept up the pressure through the pack and several ruck`s and bursts forward resulted in skipper Richard Hill, charged for the line from 7 metres out to score , an unsuccessful conversion but Milton Keynes increased their lead to 8—0.
Towcester now realising that this game was not going to be the romp that thought it was, especially after beating Buckingham last week 36-24, started a long period of play, pinning Milton Keynes into their own 22 metre area, the home side soaked up the attacks with some great defence, and after 10 minutes Towcester lost control of the play, scrum half Dan Pearson gathered the loose ball and set off on one of his massy runs avoiding several attempts to stop his progress Pearson has now on the half way line, he kicked ahead to avoid the last tackle, running on picked up his own kick ahead headed off under the posts, Phil Powell added the 2 points to increase Milton Keynes`s lead.
10 minutes from the end of the half Phil Powell added another 3 from a penalty.
Towcester were always looking dangerous and finally come into the game with a breakaway try off their own, the conversion ended the half with Milton Keynes holding the lead 18---7.

Second half brought the inevitable fight back by Towcester, after being stung by the first half they were out to prove their authority on the game, this they did in 15 minutes with 2 converted tries and took the lead for the first time by 3 points. Milton Keynes did not crumble, they fought back with a great three-quarter try with slick hands getting the ball out to fitness coach Andy Champ, crossing the line in the corner, followed by a touch line conversion from Philip Powell, Milton Keynes regained the lead but 4 minutes on Towcester answered with a converted try and the score was balanced with Towcester leading 28—25. At the dying minutes of the game Milton Keynes had 2 chances of kickable penalties but decided as this was just a trial game to go for the win by kicking to the corner but failed to take the lead .
Final score Milton Keynes 25 Towcester 28
A very satisfying result and Milton Keynes are rearing to get into league action against Oxford at Field Lane on Saturday 11th September.

John Silk