MK 1s Get Back to Winning Ways Against Title Chasers Swindon

After losing the last three league games Milton Keynes were in need of getting back into winning ways, and playing Swindon second place in the league was a good place to start.

Two minutes into the game and Milton Keynes gave away a penalty, Swindon missed in the swirling wind, after the initial start with Swindon taking the initiative Milton Keynes began to fight their way back into the game, and were shortly rewarded with a penalty, this was way out in the wing but Phil Powell stepped up to try and get Milton Keynes, first on the scoreboard, penalty missed and it was still all square.

With 10 minutes to the end of first half Milton Keynes efforts in attacking the Swindon line were awarded with the first points of the game with the Milton Keynes forwards pinned Swindon back on their line with several scrums, and finally Swindon trying to kick out to touch second row Stuart Webb charged down the kick to score, Phil Powell missed the conversion, but Milton Keynes took a well deserved lead.
Close to 40 minutes and centre Dave Matthews managed to hit the gap and gave a close pass to wing forward Dan Rolfe this pass deemed agonisingly a forward pass, the chance of a second try slipped from the home sides grasp.

Now very close to the halftime whistle, and scrum half Dan Pearson managed a clever kick through, following up his own kick, his run was stopped with Swindon taking Pearson out of the game, the subsequent penalty close to the posts was slotted through by Phil Powell, Milton Keynes ending the half 8 points up.

The restart with all to play for Swindon were far from out of the game, they came out all guns blazing, were rewarded by catching Milton Keynes off side, the attempted penalty missed and from Milton Keynes`s 22 metre drop out the same thing happened and the second penalty chance put Swindon on the score sheet.

Mid way through the half and the home side scored the most important try of the day when the home forwards rampaged up field and 7 metres out set up a great rolling maul, as the maul crossed the line Kieran McConnell broke of the side to score, once again the swirling wind alluded Phil Powell`s attempt at the 2 points, but still, daylight at last, with Milton Keynes taking a lead 13 - 3.

Swindon still smarting from the try Milton Keynes took advantage, and through the three quarters, moved the ball towards the Swindon line this time wing forward Dan Rolfe came into the line, Dan grubber kicked the ball up field, was first to the ball and kicked on again, the ball stopped just short of the line but Rolfe still had a difficult pick up to make as the defence were right on his heels, this he did well to score, at last the wind was kind to Phil Powell as he added 2 more points . Milton Keynes now had a commanding lead 20 - 3.

Swindon still working hard managed to grab back a converted try just before the final whistle, the final score 20 - 10

Next Saturday 22-1-11 Milton Keynes play the rearranged league game at Field Lane, against Broadmoor Staff.

John Silk
MKRUFC President