Match Report - Bucks Cup Semi Final
Alas, we narrowly failed to reach the final, again losing to Amersham & Chiltern in a highly competitive & physical encounter at Marlow. This is a disappointment as winning the Bucks Cup was our primary target this season. Given our progress over the last year there was every reason to believe that we could beat the cup holders and go on to win the final. We fell short, losing by a score of 20-12.
The players, however, should not be disappointed as they gave everything and were visibly exhausted at the end. I think this was the toughest match we've played to date as the level of physicality & commitment was of a higher level than we are used to. My own feeling is that Amersham benefited from having played recent fixtures again top teams from other counties. They dominated the opening exchanges, breaking tackles in midfield and turning over our ball in rucks. It seemed to take the Marlow players 10-15 minutes to adjust to the intensity of the game, by which time we had conceded a try and were 5-0 down. We were finding it very difficult to relieve the pressure in our own half, and Amersham scored a second try after 20 minutes when their full-back gathered a clearance kick and sliced through our defence to score from 40 metres out. 10-0 to them.
At this stage we either had to find a way back into the game or all would be lost. I am extremely proud of the character shown by the team from this point onwards. Our forwards, in particular, were immense. Having struggled to establish a platform in the first quarter of the game they ended up winning the forward contest and producing some controlled, driving play of the very highest order, which put huge pressure back on the Amersham team. The teamwork within the Marlow forwards was outstanding. Even the opposition coaches commented afterwards that they kept hearing our lads exhorting each other to stay "together" in mauls & rucks. A forward pack that plays as a unit is much more effective than a group of individuals. The result was that our forwards drove the Amersham pack over their own line for a try near the end of the first half, leaving the half-time score at 10-5 to them.
Again, Amersham started more strongly in the second half. Their backs had a very strong game and definitely had the upper hand throughout, with big, strong runners in the centre and at full-back. Our defence struggled to cope and we duly conceded another try early in the half. Score 15-5. Again, however, our boys responded very powerfully. Our forwards were supporting each other very well and repeatedly drove the ball upfield. Amersham were resorting to kicks downfield to relieve the pressure. One superb driving maul had Amersham retreating behind their own try line but a try didn't result as the ball was held up off the ground. Amersham cleared their lines but we were soon driving at their posts again. Virtually all of our forwards tried to force themselves over the try line as we recycled the ball multiple times. Eventually, the ball was whizzed left and we scored via an overlap. The conversion was successful, bringing the score to 15-12 with only a couple of minutes remaining.
At this point the game was finely balanced and very tense. Amersham were rattled. Our best hope was to retain the ball and keep driving it through the forwards. Unfortunately, Amersham managed to steal possession near the half way line and their right wing scored a further try following a speculative kick & chase. Game over.
I have deliberately not mentioned any individuals by name as this was a team effort. The fatigue, bumps & bruises were evidence of everyone having tried their hearts out. The fact is that Amersham were marginally the better team overall. If we had the opportunity to play them again next week I'm confident that we could close the gap. The referee was very complimentary after the game. He said the quality and intensity was higher than in the Bucks v Berks county game the previous week, which he also refereed.
Let's take the positives out of this and continue improving.....well done to all.
Frazer
The players, however, should not be disappointed as they gave everything and were visibly exhausted at the end. I think this was the toughest match we've played to date as the level of physicality & commitment was of a higher level than we are used to. My own feeling is that Amersham benefited from having played recent fixtures again top teams from other counties. They dominated the opening exchanges, breaking tackles in midfield and turning over our ball in rucks. It seemed to take the Marlow players 10-15 minutes to adjust to the intensity of the game, by which time we had conceded a try and were 5-0 down. We were finding it very difficult to relieve the pressure in our own half, and Amersham scored a second try after 20 minutes when their full-back gathered a clearance kick and sliced through our defence to score from 40 metres out. 10-0 to them.
At this stage we either had to find a way back into the game or all would be lost. I am extremely proud of the character shown by the team from this point onwards. Our forwards, in particular, were immense. Having struggled to establish a platform in the first quarter of the game they ended up winning the forward contest and producing some controlled, driving play of the very highest order, which put huge pressure back on the Amersham team. The teamwork within the Marlow forwards was outstanding. Even the opposition coaches commented afterwards that they kept hearing our lads exhorting each other to stay "together" in mauls & rucks. A forward pack that plays as a unit is much more effective than a group of individuals. The result was that our forwards drove the Amersham pack over their own line for a try near the end of the first half, leaving the half-time score at 10-5 to them.
Again, Amersham started more strongly in the second half. Their backs had a very strong game and definitely had the upper hand throughout, with big, strong runners in the centre and at full-back. Our defence struggled to cope and we duly conceded another try early in the half. Score 15-5. Again, however, our boys responded very powerfully. Our forwards were supporting each other very well and repeatedly drove the ball upfield. Amersham were resorting to kicks downfield to relieve the pressure. One superb driving maul had Amersham retreating behind their own try line but a try didn't result as the ball was held up off the ground. Amersham cleared their lines but we were soon driving at their posts again. Virtually all of our forwards tried to force themselves over the try line as we recycled the ball multiple times. Eventually, the ball was whizzed left and we scored via an overlap. The conversion was successful, bringing the score to 15-12 with only a couple of minutes remaining.
At this point the game was finely balanced and very tense. Amersham were rattled. Our best hope was to retain the ball and keep driving it through the forwards. Unfortunately, Amersham managed to steal possession near the half way line and their right wing scored a further try following a speculative kick & chase. Game over.
I have deliberately not mentioned any individuals by name as this was a team effort. The fatigue, bumps & bruises were evidence of everyone having tried their hearts out. The fact is that Amersham were marginally the better team overall. If we had the opportunity to play them again next week I'm confident that we could close the gap. The referee was very complimentary after the game. He said the quality and intensity was higher than in the Bucks v Berks county game the previous week, which he also refereed.
Let's take the positives out of this and continue improving.....well done to all.
Frazer
posted by Marauders Latest News at 4:28 PM
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