MIDLANDS 1 EAST MATLOCK 35 LEIGHTON BUZZARD 0
For a second week running Leighton Buzzard failed to register a score as they fell to defeat in Derbyshire.
Matlocks forward dominating st yle caused Buzzards problems from the offset as they struggled to control set pieces and were well beaten with the territorial kicking battle.
The home side showed their intent with an early push over try although Buzzards managed to contain the score at 7-0 until the final five minutes of the half.
Buzzards’ defence was broke wide open as the game dramatically swung in Matlock’s favour with two more forward orientated scores which stretched their lead to 21 points.
From the start of the second half Leighton threw caution to the wind and attacked with ball in hand at every opportunity.
Although Buzzard created several scoing opportunities they were unable to reply with points due to poor execution and a committed Matlock defence.
Having weather the attempted fightback Matlock added a further score from another drive, and when Leighton turned over possession trying to run the ball from deep Matl ock moved the ball along their backline to complete the scoring on the final whistle.
The only positive to come out of the heavy defeat was the debuts of under 18s Tom Overton and Conrad Braithwaite.
BEDFORD ATHLETIC 64 LEIGHTON BUZZARD FOURTHS 33
Buzzards fourths lost an entertaining 64-33 encounter with Bedford Athletic.
The highlight for Leighton Buzzard was a blistering performance from fly-half Tony Gear that saw him bag a hat-trick.
After a sluggish starts Buzzards found themselves trailing 17-0 before Stuart Ferris and Ross Bevan pegged the score back with tries for the Buzzards.
Bedford had their own period of inspired play with their pacey wingers keeping the score line ticking over, when half-time came Buzzards trailled 29-14.
Bedford scored almost from kick-off but a try from Craig Janes kept Buzzards in reach, then Gear crossed the line twice to get Buzzards within five points.
However, Bedford continued to extend their lead with another converted try yet Buzzards hit back again with Gear’s third try of the afternoon to take the score to 43-36.
Any chance of a last-gasp victory fell away from Buzzards as the home side ran in three unanswered converted tries.