Sat 7 Oct 2023
Bright sunshine and Legends old and new on and off the pitch looked to set this game up well. However some dropouts all the way up to kick-off and no shows really tested the versatility of players and coaching abilities.
The start seemed to suggest this with the Biggy pack catching and driving from a maul, whilst Andrew Young was clearly underneath the ball at the bottom of the pile a try was awarded. However that seemed to be the first test of character and attitude of the Legends and what a response. Low tackles, lineout, and breakdown steals and great carrying were to follow. The size of the packs seemed to suggest that Biggleswade would dominate scrum time but this was completely the other way.
Possession secured the Wanderers would now start to dictate the pace and with Mash at stand in 10 calling the shots Lewis Ryall’s quick balls were able to get the opposition guessing. Will Rooney’s great pace and strong hand offs were able to finish a great move and whilst Lewis missed the first conversion, trys from Buchanan and Rooney were converted by Ryall meaning the Wanderers looked like they were in great control. However, that would be to forget that Biggleswade were more than a big pack, the Biggy Backs were fast and quick to pounce whilst great tackles from Dumps and Mark were strong enough to hurt one (Mark) and with Aaron Vince and Dan Prowse showing skills in carrying and tackling, perhaps the drop outs before the match were starting to show as forwards were stepping up to the clearance kicks duties, however the team spirit was evident here as the spectators heard lots of ‘unlucky it was the right option’ when kicks went straight into touch.
This however did at times give the backs ball and space and their pace made this count as Biggy started to come back into it. Space and pace is where full backs shine and this is what Rooney demonstrated and ensured that Ryall would have another conversion attempt, which was successful as the first half ended 3 ties to 2 and 19-14 for Wanderers.
The second half however started the same way as the first with Biggleswade starting quicker and getting the first points on the board. Whilst Biggys good kicking would let them down on this occasion, captain Buchanan was reminding the legends to play to their strengths and trust their systems. This call seemed to really spur the Wanderers on so whilst they were 19-19 on the board they started to really look up in terms of play. Andrew Young seemingly not caring if it was Ellis, Paddy or Biggy throwing in he was still securing the ball. The great lineout throws from Letch meant that when Mash has penalty options kicking for touch was a real option. The strength and technique of Luke, James and Ellis in the front row was really starting to show to the ref as penalties and genuine ball wins against the head started to help the momentum. Great runs from Goodwin D’Onofrio with pace and space and crash balls from dumps were really creating this. Support play and great Carrying from Allen, Buchanan, Hanchet and young enabled the Rooney and Young to combine at pace and the scoreboard started to reflect this. 2 Rooney trys and 2 Ryall conversions meant the scoreboard read 26-19 to wanderers. They made it 5-3 in trys and 31 19 and despite jug avoidance from will Rooney and great tackles from Biggleswade’s version of officer dibble to deny TC (Tobias Cooper) a try on debut, though TC managed to dot down later but the hand off to deny Benny the ball was in his throat so it was disallows) It looked like the win should be assured. However a further try for Biggleswade’s 6 after a clear collision in the air that should have involved a TMO review (though hopefully Goodwin or Young would not have been carded for colliding with each other!). So with the successful conversion the scores were now 31-26. The handbags has been flying a bit from a frustrated Biggleswade team and when Joe Hanchett dotted down for his first club try the referee decided to call time despite the disappointment of Lewis Ryall who wanted to even out his conversion score having scored 4 and missed one 4-2 would have been more reflective!
DoD and MoM were difficult to call as so many stood up to the plate but notable mentions to Mash for dictating tempo James Buchanan started with a knock on but stole the ball at rucks and got the team focused, Chris Goodwin & Andy Young for great runs tackles steals and in air takeouts as well as well as Rooney with jug avoidance and forward passes noted you decide which ones go where.
Though talks on the touch line were for one outstanding performer to be in real contention for a spot in the first team. We will award the coaching staff with full credit and let them decide the awards with the squad.
Line up:
1. James Buchanan (c)
2. Ellis Day
3. Luke de Normanville
4. Paddy Allen
5. Andrew Young
6. Joe Hanchett
7. Chris Goodwin
8. Fred Rooney
9. Lewis Ryall
10. Mash Calver
11. Aaron Vince
12. Craig Dumpleton
13. Marc D’Onofrio
14. Dan Prowse
15. Will Rooney
16. Tobias Cooper
Coaches: Steve Frankie Harpoon, Martin Calver
