City 1s Fail to Convert Early Pressure into Points at WB

Milton Keynes took the long trek down to Wootton Bassett to try and reverse the result of the home encounter which Wootton Bassett inflicted on Milton Keynes early in the season.

The first half hour and Milton Keynes had the majority of play and came close to crossing the try line on several occasions, but failed to do so, Wootton Bassett were constantly caught off side during play and Phil Powell punished the home side with 3 well struck penalties. Wootton Bassett managed 1 penalty as a reply. Milton Keynes relaxed at the end of the half and allowed the Wootton Bassett pack to rumble over a try right on the final half time whistle, the conversion missed and the scores were close at the end of play, 9—8 to the visitors. Milton Keynes were to regret not taking the scoring chances early in the half.

Second half, and all to play for, the game going from end to end and the defensive tackling by both sides was to be admired, a full 22 minutes passed before Wootton Bassett scored in the corner from their speedy winger, a good conversion added and the home side took the lead at 15 — 9. With 10 minutes to the final whistle and the home side were given and took a penalty to push the score to 18 - 9. The home side supporters swollen by the fact that they had an old players dinner were celebrating a win, but Milton Keynes worked on, and finally crossed the line with early work from the forwards finished off with winger Andy Champ diving over. The conversion agonisingly missed which would have made for a thrilling finish with 2 points between the teams, but this was not to be and Wootton Bassett took the 4 points with a 18 - 14 win

John Silk
MKRUFC President