Away Day Defeat for City

Milton Keynes travelled to Farnham Royal for a match against Drifters, a team a couple of positions below City in the league. With a heavily depleted the visitors were always going to be struggling in the match.
City started well with a try being scored by James Tapley in the first couple of minutes. Unfortunately the lead didn't last long and Drifters scored their own try almost immediately making the score 5 all with just five minutes gone.
For the next 10 minutes the match was fairly even until Matt Stiles received a yellow card for, what the referee perceived as a spear tackle. Drifters soon took good advantage of the additional man and in the next 10 minutes scored two tries, neither of which were converted.
With the City team being unfamiliar with each other there were errors that occurred which allowed a further try to Drifters making the score 20 points to 5 after half an hour.
With 10 minutes of the first half remaining Phil Powell made a characteristic break through the centre, breaking three tackles and scoring under the posts. With the conversion City now had 12 points.
At the beginning of the second half Drifters were down to 14 men when the referee adjudged a tackle to be dangerous sending off their outside centre. Milton Keynes were able to take advantage of the additional man and James Tapley went over soon after for his second try of the game. City were now just five points behind and were optimistic that a victory could be gained.
Drifters were able to add some further scores to their tally before Kieran McConnell scored a try for Milton Keynes. Although city were some 12 points behind they continued to try to force the game towards a victory. This allowed Drifters some additional space and their final try made their score 42 points. The final episode of play resulted in Milton Keynes having a further consolation try through Lewis Barnett.
Despite the loss Milton Keynes were able to leave the pitch with their heads held high and a number of new faces having shown promising ability for the future. City remain in fourth position.
Next Saturday Milton Keynes meet the Bletchley in a cup final match. With Bletchley riding high at the top of the league it will be a tough game with city being the underdog. It is expected that the majority of the regular first-team will return for the match. It is anticipated that it will be a hard fought, competitive game.