Sunday 30 March, Mothering Sunday was a glorious sunny day, with some medium winds. Cambridge U16 travelled to Biggleswade. Biggleswade and Royston U16 have struggled with willing and able bodies, so have merged, such that their boys still get to play rugby – a lesson to us all. Cambridge picked a mixed team to start, as we were aware ‘Roywade’ were of mixed ability. We benched some of our usual “starters” and the game began. Roywade started strongly with a robust and physical pack and were indeed first to score, throwing their tonnage at our try line, while we were against the wind. Cambridge settled soon after and found their shape. Now the game was on. With powerful clashes in the middle being mostly won and when we remembered to stay onside, we released our backs, who were able to silkily sprint down the trams and score nice, unopposed tries. Today was a day when coach Bucky, Baby Bucky and Senior Bucky, Baby Bucky’s Granny and Great Nana were in attendance. Coach Bucky and Senior Bucky have graced the first team pitch at Biggleswade many, many times. Maybe with the memory of those hoof beats coursing through his veins, Baby Bucky retrieved the ball just inside his 22 and hared off down the far touch line. The surprising pace from this solid sixteen year old number 8 took Roywade by surprise. There were quite a number of steps, one failed tackle (which very nearly worked) and an outrageous dummy saw Buck still steaming towards the opposition try line. All were waiting to the speed to dip, or a last ditch tackle to save the try but none were forthcoming. Under the posts he went and the players and large crowd erupted. Roywade were determined to keep battering with their fully-bearded hefty pack but were to get no change out of Imayan, Fynnan or Mearsy. Mearsy must have made a hundred tackles and was outweighed each time by several bags of potatoes weight disadvantage (Biggleswade is a market farming town). The flood gates did open a fair amount and the backs took over, with Dyster and Siwicki scoring. It would not have been right if our prolific runner, Tabulo did not run the length at least once, which he duly did. It was great to see Milo at scrum half, who won the man of the match, being omni-present and marshalling both forwards and backs, mitigating the desire for greed and the desire for individuals to want to get over the try line. It was great to see Buck crash over for his second (the Buck legacy still soaking up from the soil) in a more traditional number 8 try, from about three metres. All scores were well worked and unselfish and a 64-24 win was very much well deserved. One lesson for all of us is to stay connected at all times. We did this but Roywade, under the hammer, did show an element of in-fighting and on one occasion their 9 was very unkind to their number 4 (second row), who took it upon himself to remove himself from the pitch, not enjoying the barrage of abuse he was subjected to; fair play. So, three generations have now rampaged around the Biggleswade first team pitch and all Mothers were very pleased to have been given such a show. All retired to Sunday roasts, spa afternoons and, no doubt flowers and chocolates. Well done to all and here is to next week, where we travel to Diss. Look out for the U16 on 12 April, as they will be asking for small donations, bucket shaking, in order to raise some money for their end of youth journey. Many are joining the Colts next year and we would love to be able to celebrate Idriis and Bucky for having served over 10 years playing for Cambridge. Thanks for your support.
Under 16 Biggleswade Match Report
