Sat 6 Apr 2024, 15:00
Beaconsfield 2nds 29 Reading Abbey 48
Mark Hoskins
Abbey concluded their triumphant season in Counties 2 Tribute Berks/Bucks & Oxon South with an entertaining victory over Beaconsfield 2nds. The visitors scored eight tries and always looked likely winners, although Beaconsfield scored five tries of their own and were competitive throughout. Abbey’s victory was based around their mobile pack, with flanker Jack Peachey and second row Max Courtnage outstanding in the loose, while there was a stunning two-try league debut for Colts winger Digby Riggell.
Scrum half Sol Wallis-Robinson was Abbey’s captain on what was his 60th first team appearance. The visitors faced a strong, blustery wind in the first half, but they were soon on the attack, with flanker Matt Eldridge launching an attack involving No.8 Tom Wilkinson, outside half Scott Rennie and winger Alex Ashford. Courtnage made 15 metres with his first run of the afternoon, and after Beaconsfield were awarded a scrum, a strong Abbey shove resulted in Eldridge stealing the ball. Peachey burst into the home 22, and full back Max Boucher was stopped just short of the line in the right corner. Centre Reuben Norville set up the next Abbey attack, and Riggell made ten metres before he was tackled. The ball was quickly recycled, and Wilkinson and Eldridge handled before Boucher found Riggell wide on the right. The winger sped away to the line without a defender near him to give Abbey the lead after five minutes. Norville’s conversion attempt was sent wide by the wind.
Abbey continued to attack, with hooker Zac Mayo making the first of several good runs, while Courtnage burst through the middle on a 40-metre charge. Centre George Goodenough made ground on the right, but prop Adam Postlethwaite was eventually stopped inside the Beaconsfield 22. Courtnage won good ball at the next lineout, but Beaconsfield counter-attacked well, and winger Alex Naghton was stopped close to the Abbey line. The ball was moved across to the left, and No.8 Bear Dunster levelled the score with a try. Outside half Will Howells sent his conversion kick across the face of the posts. Abbey restored their lead almost at once, with Courtnage (inevitably), Rennie, Postlethwaite and Peachey all involved in a move which resulted in Norville switching play to the right. Boucher carried on the attack, and Riggell zoomed away
again to score under the posts after a 25-metre sprint. Norville was able to convert this time.
Peachey made 10 metres from the restart, and after good support from Boucher and Goodenough, Wilkinson charged down the field. Second row James Becalick passed to Wallis-Robinson, and the scrum half sent a brilliant crosskick to the right. Riggell caught the ball, but he was stopped short of the line. Naghton broke away for Beaconsfield and kicked the ball into the Abbey 22 where Norville was able to clear. Abbey pressurised Beaconsfield into making a mistake on their own put in at the next scrum, and Mayo and Courtnage again impressed with strong breaks. Abbey then won another scrum against the head, and after Beaconsfield were penalised Norville kicked for the corner. Unfortunately, Abbey lost the ensuing lineout, and Beaconsfield were able to clear the ball. The home side then mounted an excellent counterattack which ended with winger Max Ryecroft scoring a good try to the left of the posts. Howells converted and the scores were level again. But again Abbey hit back at once, with Ashford, Mayo and Postlethwaite taking play into the home 22 before Peachey claimed a deserved try, running 15 metres and rolling out of an attempted tackle to score on the left. Norville failed to overcome the tricky wind with his conversion attempt.
Courtnage, Peachey and Mayo continued to create openings with their impressive bursts as the half time whistle approached. In the final minute of the half, Abbey forced a Beaconsfield knock-on five metres from the line. Wilkinson went right at the ensuing scrum, and Wallis-Robinson made a clever break, weaving past the defence to score a great individual try. Norville could not convert, but Abbey led 22-12 at the break with a bonus point in the bag.
Leo Clifford replaced Riggell at the start of the second half. He slotted in at full back with Boucher moving to the wing. Abbey were soon on the attack once again, and they scored their fifth try in the 45th minute of the game when Boucher made a brilliant catch 30 metres from the home line. He handed on to Peachey, who brushed off several would-be tacklers to score under the posts, with Norville adding the extras. Prop Mat Woodrow caught the restart kick and Boucher made another good run. However, Beaconsfield surprised Abbey with a good spell of handling, and centre Tom Bantock scored a try in the left corner. Howells appeared to have an impossible task with his conversion attempt against the wind, but he judged his kick brilliantly to make the score 29-19.
After ten minutes of the second half, Abbey replaced Peachey, Wilkinson and Eldridge with Chris Shaw, ‘Treacle’ Knights and Mike Beckly. Courtnage moved to No8 at this point. Knights was soon in the action, releasing Ashford on a run which led to an Abbey penalty. Courtnage won the subsequent lineout, and after a break from Mayo, Beckly scored on the left. Norville’s conversion attempt bounced wide off a post. As the game passed the hour mark, Callum House replaced Norville, but Norville had to return a few minutes later when Goodenough was injured. Soon after this, with two large replacement props on the field, Beaconsfield began to look more secure at the set piece. One of these replacements, Brett Wright, finished off a good attack by plunging over in the left corner for his side’s bonus point try. Howells could not convert, and the score was now 34-24 to Abbey with just under ten minutes remaining.
Not for the first time, Abbey replied almost instantly. Woodrow made the initial break, and Courtnage was up in support to run clear to cross for a richly-deserved try. Norville added the conversion, and Courtnage was replaced at this point, with Wilkinson returning. With three minutes left, House stole the ball brilliantly off a Beaconsfield forward, and his pass saw Becalick break away to touch down to the right of the posts for Abbey’s eighth try. Norville converted, and Becalick, who was injured in scoring, was replaced by Eldridge. There was just time after this for a last attack from Beaconsfield, and they scored an unconverted try through full back Oscar Smaje.
This was a most enjoyable afternoon of rugby played in quite tricky conditions. Abbey never looked in danger of losing, but Beaconsfield battled hard and could never be taken lightly. Courtnage played what was probably his best game for Abbey, with Mayo, Peachey and Wilkinson all impressing. Credit too should go to props Woodrow and Postlethwaite, who both played the entire game – not something props often do these days. Abbey’s backs all enjoyed exciting moments, with Riggell looking a great prospect. At no time during the entire game did either side attempt a penalty kick at goal. Incidentally, only four of the home team were playing when the sides met at the start of the season, whereas 14 of the Abbey squad were involved in the 52-17 victory back in September.
Abbey have deservedly won their league. They now turn their attentions to the eagerly-awaited visit of Oxford to Rosehill next Saturday in the opening round of the Papa John’s Counties 2 Championship.
Abbey: M Boucher, D Riggell (L Clifford 40), G Goodenough (R Norville 69), R Norville (C House 61), A Ashford, S Rennie, S Wallis-Robinson (captain), M Woodrow, Z Mayo, A Postlethwaite, J Becalick (M Eldridge 78), M Courtnage (T Wilkinson 74), J Peachey (C Shaw 50), M Eldridge (J Knights 50), T Wilkinson (M Beckly 50)
Beaconsfield: O Smaje, A Naghton, T Bantock, H Hewson, M Ryecroft, W Howells, G Williams, M Field (B Wright 40 - 70), A Watson, L Graham (P Oosthuizen 60), M Wright (captain, S Crawley-Till 40), R Head (A Hall 70), S Migan (R Ritchie 46), W Maddox, B Dunster
Abbey:
Tries: Riggell (2), Peachey (2), Wallis-Robinson, Beckly, Courtnage, Becalick
Con: Norville (4)
Beaconsfield: Tries: Dunster, Ryecroft, Bantock, B Wright, Smaje
Con: Howells (2)
Referee: M McKenzie-Crooks (Bucks)
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