In the week when NASA’s Artemis moon-shot rocket twice failed to take off, Buckingham launched their campaign in their new league at Witney with a creditable, but ultimately doomed mission. Talk before had also been of potential postponement, due to the state of the pitch and lack of match practice. The Witney pitch resembled a lunar landscape, devoid of colour, hard and uncompromising, but deemed acceptable to play, making for an open, running game.
Initially the Witney backs were simply too good for Buckingham as they raced to a 24-0 lead after only 20 minutes. The hard pitch was getting into the Buckingham players’ psyche, not wanting to sustain injury, going high, standing off and missing tackles. After only 5 minutes, Witney kicked ahead down the right to cross for an unconverted try. Slick handling by the Witney backs enabled their right wing, Manning to cross, again unconverted to make the score 10-0 after 8 minutes. Another try followed shortly after, this time converted from another kick ahead. Witney’s next score came as their full back Greenwood danced through for a converted try.
At this point, Buckingham’s travelling supporters were fearing a record defeat, but rather than staring into the abyss, the Buckingham team responded magnificently with Sumner crossing on the left after some excellent handling, making the score 24-5. In a great move which fully deserved a score, Buckingham then crossed the line again, but were held up over the line; 24-5 at half time.
“Tackle Low” was the instruction from Buckingham’s new coaching team during the half time talk. Buckingham came out firing, with an excellent start to the second half. After a bullocking run by Buckingham captain Payne, Bell scored from close range for an unconverted try; 24-10. Despite some good pressure with Buckingham camped in the Witney half, lack of match practice meant Buckingham were struggling at their set piece. After 65 minutes, with only Witney’s second trip into Buckingham territory of the second half, a missed touch kick from the Buckingham 22 was caught by the Witney centre who ran the ball back, passing to scrum half Lewis who scored from close range making the score 29-10. Another break by Witney No. 9 led to another unconverted try by winger Manning; 34-10.
In the last 10 minutes, superior fitness told for Buckingham. Slick handling by the Buckingham backs down the left enabled them to cross the whitewash 3 times. Firstly, good pressure by Buckingham led to man of the match Ashton scoring in the corner, unconverted. Then a fantastic break by the excellent Craker led to Topley crossing in the corner, again unconverted, but with a try bonus point secured. Finally fantastic team running enabled Sumner to cross for his second, again unconverted making the final score 34-25. With all 5 conversions missed, Buckingham narrowly missed out on a losing bonus point.
At the end of the match the Witney team looked more disappointed than Buckingham, despite their deserved win. Notwithstanding the loss and a couple of minor injuries, Buckingham played some superb running rugby in the second half. After a disappointing campaign last time out, with a full competitive match under their belt, Buckingham can look forward with optimism towards the rest of the season.