Milton Keynes 59 - Princes Risborough 12

Milton Keynes started a new season with a comfortable victory over Princes Risborough in the Busk Shield Competition. With a new look squad number with a number of fresh faces it was a convincing victory which, through an anomaly of the draw sends City straight to the final.

With a reshaped to backline it was only through competition would it be found out if it was a successful decision. The first 10 minutes was evenly matched until Gavin Whitehead the new fly half, made a good break from the halfway line with some loose tackles from the Risborough team. He was able to make his way close to the visitor's try line before making the final pass to Dan Pearson for an easy try. Brian Purcell, playing his first match for the 1sts, and son of Dave George, a stalwart of the club, was able to slot over the conversion making it 7 points to nil.

Ten minutes later there was a reciprocal break by Dan Pearson around the halfway line. The pass was made to Gavin Whitehead who deftly kicked the ball across the field for new winger Jordan Williams to collect and score in the corner.

The forwards also made an impact on the game. Steve Wakefield, the smallest player on the pitch made some of the biggest tackles. Carl Capellano made a good break and with support from new captain Ben Fisher the ball was passed out for Dan Pearson to collect and with a fine chip over the defence collected the ball and scored an individual try. City were 17 points up with Princes Risborough having little say in the match.

Soon after the restart City were able to control the ball at the back of a scrum. The ball again went to Dan Pearson who broke through the Risborough defence to score a further try.

There was a sloppy period of play from the home team close to the end of the first half. A couple of unnecessary penalties allowed Princes Risborough to score with just minutes to go before half time. City quickly retaliated and with the last move of the half Andy Poole broke through two tackles to score under the posts. At half-time the score was 31 – 7.

Within minutes of the second-half starting the combination of Whitehead and Pearson again proved to be successful with a further try to Dan Pearson.

City's line out work was more effective in the second half and it was following a kick into touch near the Risborough 22 m line that Mark Robinson collected the ball and a driving maul ensued. Carl Capellano, with ball in hand, made a short break from the back of the maul to score a try. City had the luck of the conversion being successful after ricocheting off the post.

There was a further period of Milton Keynes losing concentration and allowing Princes Risborough a glimmer of hope. Giving away further unnecessary penalties motivated the visitors to up their game and score their second try of the afternoon.

City again returned to their best and dominated the remainder of the game. Andy Poole was the next try scorer, selling a fine dummy which allowed him to score under the posts.

Replacement winger Jack Laithwaite was the last person to score a try after Princes Risborough had the ball stolen from them on their 22 m line. After a couple of passes Jack gratefully received the ball to score in the corner.

With the final score of 59 – 12 it was a fine performance to start the new season. Milton Keynes and Princes Risborough will meet again in the league on 24/10/15 again at home.

Milton Keynes travel to Crowthorne next Saturday for their first league game of the season. This will be a new territory with neither side having played each other in the past.