Bletchley 2nds kicked off their season with a win

The season started off with a win for Bletchley 2nds as they eased past Grove 2nds 33-19 in their curtain raiser.

Bletchley started with purpose, breaking the line early and forcing Grove into some scrambling defence. When the visitors cleared, the ball fell back into the hands of the Bletchley backs. Ivan Wood showed excellent hands in the build-up before the ball went wide to Morgan Marsh, who crossed in the right-hand corner.

Fly-half Dean Williams settled quickly and directed the attack well. With the forwards working hard against a larger Grove pack, Bletchley kept up the pressure. Quick ball and neat footwork in midfield created an opening for John “Frenchie” Waite, who broke through to score after ten minutes. Williams converted to make it 12–0.

Four minutes later, Bletchley’s defensive pressure brought another reward. Frenchie read a pass from the Grove fly-half, intercepted and raced in from halfway for his second try. Williams added the conversion.

Grove responded strongly as the scrum count rose, their forwards scoring from close range after half an hour. Bletchley held their lead through to the break, but the contest was far from over.

The visitors carried that momentum into the second half. Bletchley gave away penalties for offside and hands in the ruck, and Grove eventually broke through to score under the posts and convert. A yellow card for Bully then left Bletchley with 14 men and ten demanding minutes ahead.

The home side reorganised and dug in. The forwards absorbed more pressure, the defence held firm, and Grove could not add to their score while Bletchley were a player down.

Back at full strength, Bletchley found fresh energy. A break down the right drew in Grove’s defence, and Williams spotted Jamie Rice in space with a cross-field kick. Rice’s finish looked like a superb try, but the referee ruled it out.

Williams soon took matters into his own hands. Breaking from midfield, he stepped the Grove full-back and scored beneath the posts before converting his own try.

Grove’s fresh legs brought another spell of pressure, but Dan Isles, Jack Lawrence and Marsh made crucial tackles. With around ten minutes remaining, Bletchley attacked down the right once more. Quick hands released Matt Canty, who ran in from 15 metres for his first senior try for the club. Williams converted.

Grove crossed again with four minutes to play, but Bletchley had done enough to secure a 33-19 opening-day win.