Buccs 2’s 0 – 24 Beach 2’s

 

A big day from Beach stand off Leo Montgomery would prove to be the difference maker on the day in a tight contest between the Buccs and the Beach.

 

Both sides came into the match with everything to play for after a tight knit pre season, with both clubs providing a flurry of players. Conditions were great and referee David Zhou (Yes, you read that right) got the game underway. Immediately the Buccs were on the offensive with the combo of De Lazo and DeVillers proving to be the hammer and sickle of the backline, marshalled on by the ever vocal RJ Lacorte in the backfield.

 

Despite some punishing runs the Beaches defended valiantly for the opening flurry of blows from the Buccs, and hit back with some powerful runs from Adain Tutty and Ryan Baccanin resulting in a lineout down in the Buccs five. Unfortunately for the Beaches the Buccs forwards, marshalled by Crothers, Anness and Butt would not be broken so easily and stifled the ensuing driving maul.

 

As the call went up for the 20 minute water break it was all to play for. A knock resulted in a change on the wing and play resumed once again, with Zulfi Sheikh moving the ball and himself well, squeezing through a few gaps and forcing his way through others. Alas it would be the Beaches stand off Montgomery who would break the drought with a cutting run evading three would be Buccs tacklers to dot down under the sticks.

 

Despite the continued menace of back row pest Spencer it would be the Beaches who would strike again with the stouter Baccanin brother grabbing a five pointer from one metre out. Five point per metre seems like a fair compromise. Shortly after the other of the Baccanin brothers would get on the wrong side of referee Zhou and see himself to the bin after receiving a yellow card for a move that wouldn’t have looked out of place on the wrestling circuit. The Beach would score again through Yusuf Khan and Ryan Cunningham; the latter coming somewhat against the run of play.

Again the hosts would assail the Beaches lines but it was not to be. Somewhat buoyed by the substitutions rung in the final period the Buccs showed a lot in attack going forward but unfortunately couldn’t cross the whitewash and the score eluded them up until the final whistle.

 

Plenty to work on for the 2’s however plenty of time to get back to the training paddock and correct the mistakes.

Man of the Match for the Buccs goes to Brian Crothers

Buccs 1’s 0 – 32 Beach 1’s

 

A spirited Beachs side with a second half performance to remember left the Buccaneers with some lessons to learn going into next week.

 

Referee Mike Kahn got the game underway at Sunnybrook under a beating afternoon sun. The 1st XV entered the game at something of a disadvantage having been forced to play their starting Loosehead David Zhou as the 2nd XV referee but any belief that would earn them any goodwill was erased fairly swift as Beach winger Alex Mulholland would cross over in the corner early doors after a period of sustained attack. The Buccs defense, to their credit, held steadfast in opposition for a long period thereafter. Godfrey Nthunzi, Harry Lutumba and Viktor Zhou were performing well in the loose, harrowing the opposition rucks and repelling several promising Beach attacks.

 

Driven on by the performance of his forwards compatriots fullback Janus Yi had hounded the Beach backline all day with some great reads causing the backs to falter. One of these opportunities lead to a great Buccs chance with Harry once again pouncing on a loose ball and striding into the Beach half, but a loose pass and an unfavourable bounce would stifle out a chance at the goal line for the Buccs.

 

Shortly after Alex Mulholland would once again get a sniff at the Buccs try line. With the forwards experience shining through against a Beaches driving maul they would spin it wide to find an overlap. Unfortunately Alex was a bit concerned with dotting it down and, mercifully for the Buccs, forgot to catch it.

 

Discipline at this point had become something of a factor for the home side, landing themselves in hot water with the referee no fewer than six times prior to the water break. Eventually enough was enough and Beach opted to take the points, adding a penalty to their tally shortly before half time, fly half Colin Bryan doing the honours.

 

The combination of scrum half Dan Briggs, fly half Dan Pornaras & outside centre William Viljoen had been linking well to this point, and at the half the backline shuffle left them to continue on with their strong work, Briggs providing some nuance to Viljoens coalface style of play. Unfortunately the levees broke shortly after half time with the Beachs running in two tries in quick succession. A neat line from stand off Bryan followed by a shrewd underneath line to captain Malency Wainwright providing a one-two punch to the hearts of the Buccs.

 

Not to be outdone the Buccs would rally around talisman Tom Mulreid with the nippy fullback proving quite elusive on the counter attack. Captain Briggs found him from a clearance kick early on and, were it not for the grace of a great cover tackle from the Beach, Mulreid could easily have put Simunivic away for a score down the wing.

 

Some minor handbags late in the half would see Maguire and Putt sent to their respective benches to have a strong think about what they had done. Two converted tries from that man Mulholland and his colleague Malik James would seal the Buccs fate with a decisive 32 point rout.

A lot to learn on the day for both sides. An away trip to Cobourg for the 1sts and 2nds and a chance to rectify a shaky start to the campaign. With a clean slate and an away trip lets hope the results are more favourable for the Sunnybrook men next outing.

 

Man of the match for the Buccs goes to William Viljoen