City 1s Struggled to Find Pre Xmas Form at Tadley

It was important for City to win in order to keep in touch with the league leaders. Unfortunately their performance let them down with too many errors and penalties given away.

Within 5 minutes City were 3 points down giving a penalty to Tadley for failing to release the ball following a tackle. A further penalty was converted by Tadley with Milton Keynes going 6 – 0 down after 15 minutes.

Milton Keynes were under pressure for most of the first half. There was a poor clearance from close to their try line with the ball going to the Tadley centre. The ball was collected by the Tadley outside centre who shipped the ball to the winger who dived over for a try. Milton Keynes now 13 points down with little chance of scoring themselves.

With 10 minutes of the first half remaining City started to pick up their game and managed to convert a penalty before half time. City started the second half strongly and put pressure on the hosts but some poor tackling allowed Tadley a further try and conversion making it 20 – 3 with 10 minutes of the second half gone. For most of the remaining game City were in control. A try was scored by prop Kieran O’Connell and converted by Phil Powell. After 25 minutes of the second half City managed to steal a Tadley lineout close to the Tadley try line. Andy Poole collected the ball and forced his way over making the score 20 – 17 with it looking likely that City would now win the game.

With 10 minutes to go Andy Champs received a yellow card meaning that City had to play the remainder of the match with a man down. This raised Tadley’s game and their pack took control of the remainder of the game. Their pack mauled their way to the City try line which ended in the last score of the match and the final score of 25 – 17.
MK are now 6th in the league with a home game against Swindon next Saturday. This will be another tough match with Swindon pushing for promotion.

John Theobald
Milton Keynes Rugby