Alchester RFC v MK RUFC 1st XV – 10th September 2011

MK 1st XV Travelled to Alchester yesterday for the first game of the season. Alchester are new to the Southern Counties North League as they qualified for promotion at the end of last season having won every one of their matches. The team is made up of what used to be Bicester Colts who after a falling out with that club all moved to Alchester to form the team that they are now, with a team that comprises young, fit and fast players.

The game was played on quite an uneven pitch, which played a small part in the game with a few injuries in that area of the pitch. The game started with MK proving their strength in the pack wining all their set pieces and driving Alchester back every time, but not always crossing the gain line although it was a pack move off the line out with a loose ball that saw Kieran McConnell driving over for the first try which was converted by Wayne Kelly. Alchester then received a penalty as the result of high tackle and the referee unfortunately Yellow carded the wrong player which saw Talbot taking a 10 minute rest. The penalty was converted, taking the score to 3 – 7. It was during one of these phases of play that saw Dave Matthews injuring his ankle which saw him replaced by Neil Haynes. After another attack by Alchester with what was some diabolical tackling, saw them score a try under the posts which was converted making the score 10 – 7. There followed a lot of play up and down the pitch by both teams and some really scrappy play, but after another Yellow card at 35 minutes and a penalty saw Rob Matthews taking 10 minutes to catch his breath with Alchester scoring another 3 points taking the score to 13 – 7 but with all of the play towards the end of the 1st half being with MK in Alchester’s half it was inevitable that they would bow under the pressure and with two more penalties being awarded and subsequently converted by Phil Powell and Wayne Kelly the scores were even at half time 13 – 13.

The second half saw the same team take to the pitch and with our tales up, and the full strength of the pack proving too much for Alchester, a result of all that pressure saw a push over try by a strong pack move with Ash Hill scoring, which was converted by Wayne Kelly, this really saw the tables turn with MK starting to believe that they could actually win this game. There was a third and final Yellow card for MK with Stuart Tomkinson taking a much needed rest for 10 minutes and the subsequent possession saw Alchester once again in our half and after a very strong defence in the 22 saw them win a penalty which was converted, taking the score to 16 – 20 but that was the last time Alchester would score, with two replacements coming on the field with Neil Forton replacing Ash Hill and Kieran McConnell moving over to Prop, and Simon Kockelburgh replacing Dan Edwards in the second row, saw a fast flow of play and a brake away run by a fresh Simon Kockelburgh running from the Alchester10 yard line to score under the posts, the try was converted by Wayne Kelly taking the score to 16 – 27. We were awarded one final penalty and much to the consternation of the supporters Phil Powell elected to kick for goal rather than the corner and pushing for a bonus point, the ball hit the post and the following play saw Alchester recover the ball and very nearly score at the other end of the pitch, although after the ball went loose, it was recovered by Dan Walker and was kicked into touch ending the game with the final score at16 – 27 to MK.

The result of this game, does not really show the full efforts on the pitch but does reflect that there is still much work to be done if we are to dominate the league, with the emphasis on ball handling, tackling, sticking to the game plan and, having one voice calling the shots.