Cup Final Disappointment

The second fixture of the season between these two teams met on a somewhat pleasant afternoon at Chesham Rugby Club. The pitch wasn’t perfect but nobody minded as we set up to watch an exciting Bucks Bowl Cup Final. Variation in playing style was apparent from the start. Chesham, favouring short, hard, homogeneous, forward heavy attack; MK in contrast strived for a more interdisciplinary, fast expansive game. Initial favour fell with the visitors, dominating the first quarter. Rapid ball distribution from Dylan Greenwood fabricated the narrowest of slots for winger Tom Pope to hare down the perimeter to beneath the struts, providing jejune kicking duties for Declan Morris. Paradoxically, instead of bolstering MK moral, the score seemed to worry the side, they hadn’t expected to be on top this early on... Chesham did not seem too rattled though as their bruising attack propelled them up the pitch for an uncomfortably close line-out on MK’s 5 meter line. Catching then setting the rolling maul led to Chesham’s first score. The means by which the points were scored were themselves unremarkable, more significant was that MK’s more slight pack appeared to struggle against the physical challenges arising from Chesham’s leaden scrums and driving mauls. The rest of the First half remained scoreless for all. Neither team appeared to tire as the reserves were brought in, Corey Lewis
and Juan Santirso switching for Micheal Fitzgerald and Tom Ray.

The contest continued but urgency appearing sparse in MK minds. Chesham quickly replicated their earlier procedure of ‘catch & drive’ to score again. The three officials were communicating well and both sides began to concede penalties, one persistent offender on the Chesham side being sent to the bin. The penalties eventually materialised into two Chesham scores and one for MK, kicked by Juan Santirso.

Play continued to bounce around the field, both sides adapting well to neutralise the others free play attack. Chesham's drift defence plugged MK’s wide attack whilst brave tackling from the MK boys stemmed the Chesham pick and go’s. Notable stints in the MK shirt came from second row duo Arthur Hurren and James Pickles, as well as substitutes Alex Green and Daniel Mitchell.

A late comeback may have been on for MK approaching the last quarter but a dash over the line off of a Chesham Scrum pulled the title hopes out of reach. By now the jeers of a home crowd began to loose tact but with the game ended after an MK knock on the two sides stood nobly to watch and listen to the cup presentation. Final score Chesham 23-10 Milton Keynes.

The game hereby marks the end of this year’s 1st XV fixture and it provided a neat metaphor of the season so far. Clinical efficiency is perhaps
below the desired level and there are still many a wrinkle to iron out, but great strides have been made in attacking ability; work rate all round is second to none and attitude, given the relative inexperience of the squad, is absolutely outstanding. As a developing team MK is certainly not yet as good as they would hope to be, but their potential is certainly present; credit where credit is due, Chesham certainly put in a powerful performance and deserve their title.

As well as thanking all of our club supporters, we must take a moment to show our appreciation to the Coaching Team, Dan
Pearson, Aldam Mills. Kev Papworth, Andy Brownlee, Alan Jones and of course our physio Dan Piriz. They’ve each had a profound impact on this team and for that, we are immensely grateful. All that remains to said is have a Merry Christmas, and we look forward to seeing you in 2019 for the next instalment of what has so far been a very special season.

MOTM: Arthur Hurren