Bucks Cup Match Report

120 people sat down for the annual Vice Presidents lunch which was also a chance for members and guests to see the refurbished clubhouse in all its glory. Regrettably the weather was not so kind and steady rain which started early on Saturday morning continued right throughout the match!

The Bucks Cup was inaugurated in 1971 and the finalists that year were coincidently, Aylesbury and Chiltern (before the name change!) with Aylesbury narrowly coming out on top! Despite the appalling weather the pitch drainage coped well with the monsoon weather and we were treated to an excellent combative performance from both sides. Although Aylesbury struggled to cope with the pace and power of Chiltern it is to their huge credit that they never gave up trying.

Chiltern decided to play against the elements in the first half and after a brief foray into the Chiltern half Aylesbury were knocked back by solid defence and conceded several penalties which gave Chiltern a foothold in the Aylesbury 22. After 10 minutes and from a line out 15m from the Aylesbury line an excellent catch and drive turned into an unstoppable rolling maul which saw second row Simon Coldwell driven over the line for the first try of the match. Aylesbury continued to press hard but the Chiltern defence was immovable and turnover ball provided an opportunity to counter attack from deep to set up good field position just outside the Aylesbury 10m line. Quick recycled ball gave captain Ryan Cole a gap to burst through and when that drive was stopped scrum half Stuart Pearham scythed through the defence and found Coldwell on his shoulder to dive over for an outstanding try. The kick was good and Chiltern were comfortably ahead 12-0. Try as they might Aylesbury just couldn’t find a way past the Chiltern defence and from yet another well won line out prop Callum Newton burst through for another unconverted try.

The constant rain made handling extremely difficult but credit to both sides in continuing to try to play entertaining rugby. Towards the end of the first half Chiltern again moved the ball wide this time to Lloyd Anderson who shrugged off two tackles to cross for Chiltern’s fourth try which made the score at half time 22–0.

With seven substitutes available Chiltern rung the changes at half-time and it took the new combinations some little while to come to terms with the new personnel. Aylesbury continued to attack through close quarter driving work by their forwards but rarely looked like breaking through the outstanding Chiltern defence. One dropped pass allowed Pearham to kick deep into the Aylesbury territory and force the lineout to Chiltern. Quick ball off the top saw centre Josh Davies make ground before slipping the ball inside to flanker George Bartlett who had the pace to stretch away from the covering Aylesbury defence for a Chiltern try which was neatly converted by Pearham.

Chiltern changed their jerseys at half time but even so it was again difficult to tell which side was which but, with Aylesbury tiring, Chiltern managed one last venture into the 22 and a neat reverse pass found replacement scrum half Ben Dugdale racing through to score his first try for the 1st XV to the obvious delight of himself and his teammates. The try was unconverted and a welcome final whistle was soon blown on such a cold and wet afternoon.
The game and the whole day was a credit to rugby in general and Bucks rugby in particular and Chiltern proudly collected the Bucks Cup from the County Senior Vice President John Lockhart.

A really excellent day which was enjoyed by so many people but for Chiltern it is back to league action next week when they entertain Chingford who are one of only 3 clubs who have so far beaten Chiltern this season. Kickoff will be at 2:30 PM and all are welcome to see if the boys can gain revenge for the earlier loss.