A blustery day in Scarbs

The Buccs deliver in Scarbados. 61-0 with 15 minutes to spare, 11 tries scored, three converted, two hat-tricks and some shuttle running so strap yourself in for a severe lack of detail.

A blustery day in Scarbs saw the 17 man Buccs field a performance which will make serious waves in the epicentre of English rugby, the Yorkshire Eastern Merit League. Challenging conditions meant the 1st teamer, Alfie Celella kicked us off with the wind at our backs and we pinned the Vikings in their own half who were unable to exit against the gust. Any time the Vikings attempted to clear their lines, it either didn’t go very far or Harvey’s dominance at the line out meant we retained possession and were able to build some phases with the likes of Reeves, Jake, Benn, Gill, pretty much everyone (bar Brad…) making multiple metres post contact. Alfie was also able to take advantage of the various gaps created from the big centre partnership of Allenby, Reevesy punching holes in the Viking’s defence. First of three tries for Alfie and the man converted the extras for Ionians to lead 7-0 after just as many minutes. Everything wasn’t going our way however, and a couple of sloppy handling errors due to the windy conditions (blaming the wind because they were mostly Brad’s errors) and ill discipline meant the Vikings were starting to gain some territory in our half. The problem for the Vikings was either Harvey or Allenby; constant steals at the line out meant we were able to get out of jail and Alfie or Bradders could exit and due to the wind, made us look like we actually knew how to kick.

The boys then started to reap the rewards from the defensive, line out and scrummaging efforts. Harvey was able to barrel over the Scarbados defence for a try which would go unconverted. Next to join the party was James Wilky, who got on the end of a nicely worked 2 on 1 from Malachy who nipped down the blind and put Wilks in on the corner. No chance for extras with that wind so things were looking optimistic at 17-0. The queue for the white line was growing. Next up was debutant Luke Brigham, who put in a solid shift on the wing and replicated a similar try to Wilkdog which was converted on this occasion. 24-0 but Scarborough weren’t down and out, they continued to pepper our defence with one up rugby which marched them up the field with their big forwards testing the new tackle height laws of our defence. Nonetheless, in our own 22, Allenby managed to strip one of the Scarborough old boys and it allowed Alf to leather the ball up field to put them back in the exact opposite area of the pitch. Chased down by Junior Wacker meant the Scarbados winger was caught in no man’s land and a combination of Jack Pinder and Ed counter rucked and allowed Jack to sprint in the final 20m unopposed and sweat away his regret from the previous night. Last act of the half saw Wacker jnr disallowed a diving try which was claimed to be knocked on in the corner after a nicely worked backs move with Alf and Mal. A shame but 29-0 for the half time oranges and no real complaints about that.

2nd half kicked off and it went off with a bang. Allenby who is always assured under a high ball collected the kick off, batted off two defenders and romped in for a 60m gallop. If his dad put a bit more money into the club, he might even be in contention for the first team. Hope not. We Really hope not. The next restart occurred in similar fashion, Allenby collecting, linking up with Gilly who then linked up with Harv to romp in from about 50m that time. Think that was the straw which broke the camel’s back; certainly almost broke Melly’s lungs from running support line shuttles that’s for sure.

Ionians were coasting, with swift backs moves and direct forward carries from Benn off kick off meant we were running away with things, Luke would get a second try for his efforts and we were pretty much in autopilot… We were spiralled back into life after Mike Mel established himself as a shuttle runner, prop and a hooker in the game. A throw in to a line out which will be written in the history books of Ionians, it spiralled delightfully into the jumping props, Dan Pinder hands. Great Ball Handling, that’s for sure, certified filth and one which Melly will not let us forget. Clean ball off the line out meant Alfie jinked his way through a heavy footed prop and another 60m score would benefit us. Alf was in the mood and got another meat pie after this to secure his hat trick and Harv, not wanting to be out played, fended off 3 Viking defenders to canter in from another 30m run to secure his very own hat trick. 61-0, 65 minutes played and it was decided that enough was enough, somebody stop the damn match!!!

Hard not to mention titanic performances from Benn, Gill, Jake, Allenby, both Pinders and obviously hat trick heroes Alf and Harv, outstanding shifts. Melly put in a hell of a shift at prop (potentially his destiny??) and Reevesy put in some terrifying carries despite the risk of his testicles exploding. Other notable mentions go to everyone to be honest, all 17 were class. Brad even made a tackle so reckon that’s him done for the season. Bring on Driff next week, we’re 4 from 4 and are only just getting started. Up the Buccs!