City give all players a run out in Squad Match against Bugbrooke

Milton Keynes turned up with a squad of 34 and wished to give all players a period of time on the field, Bugbrooke were playing a first XV game but with 10 subs as opposed to the normal

3 in a league situation.

The trial was split into 3 periods, Milton Keynes played a mix of players for this first session, Bugbrooke playing basically there first team. Milton Keynes were put under pressure from early on but managed to hold the hosts to 2 converted tries, unfortunately Milton Keynes lost winger Jake Ronaldson to a harsh yellow card, for handling in the ruck,( a bit over the top for a trial game), a moral lead of 14—0 to Bugbrooke, for the first session.

The second session the visitors strengthened the team in forwards and backs, again Milton Keynes fell foal of the yellow card again when number 8 Stuart Tomkinson was sent from the field in the first minute for over zealous efforts in getting the ball out of a ruck, but even with 14 players started to show their strength, after several scrums on the Bugbrook line, finally touched down by wing forward Steve Christie, a great conversion in the strong wind by Phil Powell. Play resumed with 15 men and the visitors applied more pressure from all parts of the field.

Bugbrooke added a penalty and Milton Keynes answered with another power try from the pack, this time with Mike Lambert taking 5 points and again Phil Powell had his sights set well on the posts to add the 2 points. The end of this session won by Milton Keynes 14—3. The aggregate score now at 17—14 to Bugbrooke.

A little more tweaking to the side by coaches Sam Viggers and Andy Champ, with input by skipper Richard Hill and the game moved into the last 30 minute session, early on it was the hosts second row to get the wave of the referees yellow card. Milton Keynes pressed on and scored the best try of the afternoon involving forwards and backs, finished off by second row Darren Broderick, the conversion missed, but overall Milton Keynes took the game lead at 19—17, unfortunately the visitors took their foot of the throttle in the last 5 minutes and the hosts added 2 late tries both converted, to give an overall game finished score of 31-19 to Bugbrooke.

A satisfactory day with plenty for the coaches to consider before Milton Keynes`s final trial next Saturday 4th September against another East Midlands level 7 side, Towcester, at Field Lane.

Milton Keynes first league game is also at Field Lane against promoted Oxford, on 11th September.

Apart from the hectic build up to the move to Emerson Valley, Milton Keynes are holding their annual Sports Dinner at The Hilton Hotel Milton Keynes on Friday 26th November, guest speakers are Internationals and British Lions, John Bentley of England and the Welsh forward Scott Quinnell, full details are on the Milton Keynes website “mkrufc.com”, or contact Laura on 07712255119.

John Silk

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