Last minute try earns MK 1s a draw and 4th place in league

First Half
What a great game to save for the last league game of the season, full of tension, great running rugby from both sides, and the result not decided until the last kick.

Grove arrived early for the 3 o`clock kick off, their team supported by a coach load of guys out for a day in the sun. A 3rd place in the league was the result both teams were after as the game got under way. Milton Keynes started right from Grove`s kick off, stealing the ball via the home pack, and with some inter passing Hooker Rob Conway touched down, Mike Dean converting, Grove kicked off again, this time Milton Keynes back division grabbed the ball, linked up with the forwards and a slip pass from Dave Matthews to second row Stuart Webb, Webb covered the last 15 metres to crash over under the posts, Mike Dean with an easy kick, and Milton Keynes were 14 up.

Grove are no push over, they regained their composure and after 10 minutes converted a penalty, this was followed by 2 tries, the second being from their speedy young winger running virtually the whole length of the field, he was just stopped short of the line, the visitors pack were up with the game and quickly retrieved the ball to score, both tries with good conversions’ and Grove were back in the game with a 3 point lead.

The first half was extended with 10 minutes of injury time all caused by Grove players. The last decision of the half was a penalty to the home side, a good 40 metres out, Mike Dean slotting the posts and the half ended even at 17 points each.

H/T: Firsts 17 - 17 Grove

Second Half
It was a full 25 minutes, following some full on attacks and crash tackling, it took Skipper Richard Hill to break the deadlock with his own try. Grove answered this with a penalty, as time ticked away the score stayed delicately balanced at 22-20.

With 7 minutes to full time Milton Keynes thought they had won the game with a great wing try from Liam Boody a conversion by Phil Powell gave the home side a 9 point buffer, Grove had other ideas and answered this with a converted try of their own, and then a killer blow now deep into injury time Grove scored again and the conversion gave them the lead 29-34. The referree stated there was still 3 minutes to play, time came and the next breakdown would be the final whistle but Milton Keynes were in charge of the ball, the back line spun the ball to John Manley on the left wing, and young John ran in a try to draw the game at 34-34. The crowd fell to silence as Phil Powell went for the conversion way out on the touchline, sadly it just missed the near post, Milton Keynes missed their chance of that 3rd league spot.

Next major game will be the Buck`s Cup semi Final against High Wycombe on Sunday 2nd May kick off 2.30 at Field Lane

Report Written By - John Silk