The Toronto Buccaneers took on top of the table Yeomen U16 on Saturday and produced the most complete performance of the season, taking a hard fought win against a well organized and well drilled Yeomen side. The Yeomen started the match the more positive of the two sides. A Buccs error from the first kick off gave the Yeomen their first chance of the game which they immediately took, leaving the Buccs a score down in the first two minutes. The Yeomen kept the pressure up on the Buccs for the next five minutes with their flyhalf showing some nice touches with the ball in hand.

The Buccs began to regroup and some great drives by Buccs prop Homayoun took them into the Yeomen half for the first time in the game; further good work from Izhan and Zulfiqar allowed the backs to get some quick ball and the Buccs were over the line for their first try of the match. The Yeomen hit back with another well worked try, their flyhalf again creating some space for his outside backs to run in their second score of the match. The Buccs responded again and another series of drives by the forwards resulted in a nicely worked try for fullback Sajad who took a well timed pass from hooker Bobby to crash over the line. The rest of the first half was pretty even with the Yeomen and Buccs scoring another try a piece to leave the match nicely balanced 15-15 at half time.

A few changes were made to the Buccs line up at halftime, utilizing the strength in depth of the whole squad which has been performing so consistently over the season. The Buccs started the second half at a ferocious pace with props Homayoun and Mumtaz making large inroads into the Yeomen defense; captain Victor (Cho Cho train) then got in on the act and started to run through/over whatever was in front of him which put the Buccs firmly on the front foot.

A great turnover at a Yeomen scrum seemed to be the turning point of the game, the Buccs backs capitalized on the great work from the front row and scored a try that put the Buccs ahead for the first time in the match; Fahim added the conversion to stretch the lead. Another great attacking opportunity saw the Yeomen concede a penalty in front of the posts, Fahim again stepped up and kicked the penalty to give the Buccs another three points.

With the Buccs now sensing a big win was possible, the intensity grew. A sixty meter run through at least six defenders by Mumtaz gave the Buccs a great position inside the Yeomen half, some fast recycled ball allowed flyhalf Ahmad to call a miss move with Usman and allow Milad to take a great straight line and touch down near the posts with Fahim again adding the conversion.

The Buccs got a bit over excited at this point and lost concentration which allowed the Yeomen to hit back and score a great individual try from the kick off which put them back within ten points. Buccs captain Victor rallied the players and the Buccs finished the match off in style and scored their final try just to the left of the posts to leave the final score at 37-22.

Some great team work allowed the Buccs to take control of this match and produce some top level rugby; training continues Tuesday and Thursday and it is important that the hard work continues before the the last match of the regular season against North Halton U16 who are also having a good season.

Well done to Fahim and Rashad who made their debuts for the Buccs U16.

Tries – Faisal, Sajad, Milad, Usman, Idris, Victor
Conversions – Fahim (2)
Penalty – Fahim (1)
Final score: Buccs 37, Yeomen 22

Go Buccs!!!