Although Aylesbury Rugby Club play in Weston Turville, I have only been down to the ground on the odd occasion. But on Saturday they were playing Swindon, the leaders of the Southern Counties North league. Aylesbury had gone unbeaten in their last four games which had taken them up to second, so a top of the table clash seemed inviting. I cycled down to the ground and met my next door neighbour and this two sons who play for Aylesbury junior teams.
I have to say that the standard was far higher than I had imagined. It was a mild day, with perfect playing conditions and lots of tries. Aylesbury scored six of them, four in the first half, and went away winners by 36 points to 19. This meant that they took over as league leaders, (the first time they head the table in eight years) much to the delight of the dozens of supporters. Swindon were already struggling when their number eight was sent off, fifteen minutes into the second half, and never got out of their own half after that.
Apparently Aylesbury have rarely played better, possibly due to the presence of their local born part time coach James Buckland, the ex England A international who now plays for London Irish having previously played for Leicester, Northampton and Wasps. A thoroughly enjoyable afternoon.
No comments:
Post a Comment