The Buccs Do the Away Double Over the Dale!

For the second year running, the Buccaneers travelled up to Wharfedale hoping to repeat last season’s heroics — and they did just that, completing back-to-back away wins over the Dale!

The Buccs started like a freight train, and the first twenty minutes were glorious to watch. They played some simply stunning rugby!

First on the scoreboard was Will “Pube” Dearing, after a great tip ball from new Ionian powerhouse prop Kami “The Whammy” Tuvotu. Dearing smashed through would-be tacklers and dotted down for his first of the season. Conversion missed — 0–5, the Buccs!

This week the Buccs stuck to their patterns and phases instead of their usual Barbarians-style chaos, and it paid off. After some slick handling and sharp offloads between forwards and backs, Josh Parker went over in the far corner. Sam Hassard nailed the touchline conversion — 0–12, the Buccs!

Next on the scoresheet was skipper Jack “Zola Pud” Walker, looking leaner and faster after his new fitness regime. From a classic old Colts move, Walker took an inside pop ball, galloped upfield, smashed through defenders, and went over for what was arguably the try of the day! Conversion missed — 0–17!

The next twenty minutes became a bit scrappy. The referee made some bizarre calls, the game lost rhythm, and Wharfedale hit back with a converted try. But the Buccs answered again with a superb score from fullback Ryan Daniel, who was having a fine game controlling the backfield. Conversion missed — and at the half, it was 7–22 to the Buccs

Half-Time Talk

At the break, the message was simple, back to basics control the game, defend well, and play our own rugby

From the restart, the Buccs came out firing again. Their new pocket rockets Jack “Deets” Deighton and Tatum “I’ll Get In Your Face” Kohlhase smashed into the Dale defence like a rugby version of Chip ’n’ Dale: Rescue Rangers!

After a hard, direct run from Kohlhase, the ball was chipped through, and powerful winger Paul Evison gathered, juggled, and bulldozed his way over. Conversion missed — 7–27!

The next twenty minutes mirrored the end of the first half: the game got scrappy, the ref stayed odd, and Dale scored again (conversion missed) to make it 12–27.

The Buccs, however, played the better rugby — especially in defence. Flanker Matt Jeffery led the charge with thunderous tackles that left Dale players slightly wobbly on their feet

With only a few minutes remaining, the Buccs earned a scrum ten metres out — a platform they’d dominated all day. Walker picked up from the base, powered into defenders, and popped to scrum-half Alex “Smeg” Edwards, who dived over the line to seal it. Conversion missed — final score 12–32

For years the Buccs hadn’t beaten Dale away and now for two years running they’d beaten them in their own back yard! Fabulous stuff!

A great squad performance

Players who caught the eye

MOTM - Matt J - seems to getting back to his old form! Some truly thunderous tackling and good strong running

BOTM - Ryan D - very assured at the back with some lovely footwork, a nice try & great jackal turnover

FOTM - Kami - nice carries, good defence & some lovely soft touches