3 WINS OUT OF 3 FOR THE CITY SLICKERS

RESULT :- MILTON KEYNES 34 TADLEY 17

Milton Keynes still hold 1st place in the Southern Counties league, but only on point’s difference with Chipping Norton not being able to raise a side to travel to Grove, gives Grove an easy 5 points, and Swindon beating Newbury Stags all 3 teams are on 15 points. Milton Keynes game away at Swindon next week is going to be crucial in the supremacy battle at the top of the table

Saturday`s encounter with Tadley was a strong test of character, and although Milton Keynes scored 5 tries there was no easy breakaway runs and every point had to be worked for. 2 early tries, the first from forward power, 4 scrums in succession on the Tadley line and scrum half Dan Pearson finally scuttled through the legs to score, the other from some good inter change with the three quarters and Winger Rob Matthews making to the corner, 2 conversions from Outside Half Phil Powell gave the home side a 14 point cushion.

Mid way through the half Tadley worked their way back into the game with a penalty and then a try, (the first conceded this season by Milton Keynes) this try converted, put Tadley back into the game closing the gap to 4 points, but the home side answered this with some fine inter play from the Centre pair of Sam Vickers and Terry Woodall, with Woodall taking the last pass to score.

To finish the half in style another backs move came off with Sam Vickers passing out wide to Winger Andy Champ, and he passed back inside to Terry Woodall to score his second try, the final points of the half, with the conversion from Phil Powell to give the home side a respectable lead of 26---10.

Second half Tadley hit first with a try within 2 minutes and the conversion took their tally to 17, although Tadley kept the pressure on, this to be their last points of the day. Milton Keynes still pumped away with same great defence and then on 15 minutes scored their final try of the day again through the three`s, Full Back Dan Walker taking the last pass and making the hard metres, to score in the corner.
The score at 31---17 seemed safe but Tadley worked really hard to stay in the game. It only needed a couple of break a way’s and technically they could have been back in with a shout, but the home side stood firm and sealed it with a late long range penalty, from Phil Powell, the final score 34----17

Next Saturday is the big show down away to Swindon.

John Silk
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07904742957