Newcastle u16s: 38 vs Buxton 16s: 26
Despite the final scoreline this was a very even game and had the final play of the game gone Buxton’s way as it very nearly did – the might just have nicked a 31-33 win.
Buxton travelled light, with only 12 players and Newcastle also played with 12 men, but made use of frequent substitutions to good advantage of what turned out to be a warm spring day.
The first 20 minutes saw some real end to end lay as both sides tested each other out, looking for a weakness. In the end it was the home side who were first to break through with three tries in quick succession.
Despite some good hard tackling, quick hands and some incisive runs, Buxton could not quite break through.
But the game was about to turn, as a break from Maybury and Pearson took Buxton to within five metres of the Newcastle try line, their patience and pressure finally paid off when scrum half Packer darted through to score under the posts, with Pearson adding the conversion.
With points under their belts, Buxton were quick to hit back again. Bisknell caught the ball from the kick off with Wang Hao charging through in support, Smith picked up the ball before passing out for Packer to score just on half time.
Buxton kept up the pressure at the start of the second half, man of the match Packer picking up from behind the scrum to feed Pearson who wrong footed the opposition to break down open side, with Ant Layton and Moore in close support taking Buxton deep into the Newcastle half. Moments later Austin surged through to score, Pearson’s conversion giving Buxton the lead, 17-19.
Just as Buxton looked to be taking control of the game, Newcastle hit back with a converted try. Not to be outdone front rowers Lomas and Wang Hao, broke through for Wang Hao and Pearson adding a lucky conversion as the ball bounced in off the posts.
By now Buxton were playing with great inventiveness and commitment, a little more accuracy in the last five minutes and Newcastle would have been denied their final two runaway tries.
Squad: Moore, Austin, Layton A, Layton J, Hodgson, Pearson, Packer, Lomas, Maybury, Wang Hao, Bisknell, Smith.
Tries: Packer (2), Austin, Wang Hao. Cons: Pearson (2)