Beaconsfield 2nd XV v Tadley 1st XV (A)

Match Report: Beaconsfield 2nd XV vs. Tadley 1st XV

Venue: Tadley RFC  

Weather: Grey and cloudy, but no rain  

Final Score: Tadley 22 - 21 Beaconsfield

In a thrilling away fixture at Tadley RFC, Beaconsfield 2s put in a determined performance but narrowly fell short in the dying moments of a tense encounter. The grey skies set the tone for a hard-fought match, with both teams battling fiercely from the first whistle to the last.

The game started with Beaconsfield striking early. After a busy period of contact, they caught Tadley off guard, pushing the home side onto the back foot. Oscar Smaje powered over the try line for the opening score, and Dan Scriven added the extras to make it 7-0 to Beaconsfield. 

However, Tadley quickly responded. A string of well-executed phases and an increased penalty count from Beaconsfield allowed the home side to advance up the pitch, ultimately leading to a well-earned try, levelling the score at 7-7.

Beaconsfield continued to assert themselves in the middle of the field, with some powerful tackles and a dominant scrummaging display keeping Tadley under pressure. Sensing a weakness on the outside, Beaconsfield exploited the space, with Dan Scriven linking beautifully with the backline to create an overlap. Max Brindley, the standout defender of the match, set up Max Rycroft for a brilliant finish up the wing, putting Beaconsfield ahead 14-7 as the half came to a close.

The halftime break provided much-needed rest for both teams, but it was Tadley who came out with renewed energy. Early pressure from their pack had Beaconsfield on the back foot, leading to several penalties. A yellow card for Buncey gave Tadley a golden opportunity, but it was Beaconsfield’s smallest player, Alex Springer, who made the biggest play. Reading the attack perfectly, Springer intercepted a pass, juggling the ball twice before racing under the posts to score. Scriven added the conversion, making it 21-7.

Tadley, however, were far from finished. Using their physicality, they muscled over the line for a try, narrowing the gap to 21-12, though the conversion was missed. Sensing the momentum shift, Tadley capitalised on a lapse in concentration from Beaconsfield, adding another try to bring the score to 21-19. With their tails up, Tadley continued to press, and a penalty in the final six minutes saw them edge ahead 22-21.

The final moments were heart-stopping. Tadley had possession and only needed to close out the game by kicking the ball to touch. However, a poorly executed contact situation allowed Beaconsfield to hold the Tadley player up and force a turnover. From the ensuing scrum, Beaconsfield launched a last-ditch attack, breaking through the centre and surging up the field from their 22 to Tadley’s 22. Sadly, a dropped ball in the closing phases dashed any hopes of a comeback.

Despite the loss, Beaconsfield 2s made a statement with their performance. Their grit and determination were on full display, and while the result didn’t go their way, their efforts showed that they are a team to watch this season. With performances like this, a Beaconsfield team will surely be competing for promotion once again.

Report by Dan Cady