It didn’t take long for the game’s first score, second row James Barker disrupting an Abbey move and offloading well for Tyler Green to score, showing a remarkable turn of pace to finish under the posts, giving fly half Edward Kinmane – who kicked fantastically out of hand all afternoon and easy conversion. Abbey kept their heads up and came back strong but regardless of a great piece of defensive work by John Malivoire, stepping his way out of trouble on his own try line, Buckingham had the next chance for points. A rather optimistic 50 metre kick fell short and after a small but subtle intervention from the Buckingham linesman, the ball stayed in play, keeping Abbey under the cosh. Good pressure earned Buckingham the turn over giving Harry Scarr his first try of the game from 5 metres out. After 15 minutes, Buckingham led 0-12.

Abbey quickly fired back 5 minutes later, using good back ball in the lineout to give the backs a good attacking platform. Captain Will Bevan chipped over and collected to score under the posts in a fantastic solo effort, but had the forwards to thank for perfect set piece ball. With newfound confidence, Abbey piled on the pressure and after some good phases of play including a monster hit on the 9 by Ed House, and more good lineout ball Abbey were given an easy penalty converted by Ollie Walton, who converted the first try making the score 10-12 after half an hour.

The last 5 minutes of a mixed first half saw Buckingham back on top, despite two good try savers from fullback Jools Greenaway Buckingham showed well practiced form to score from a driving maul, giving Scarr his second of the afternoon. The conversion went amiss meaning the halftime score was 12-17 to the visitors.

The game was perhaps won for Buckingham with their aggressive start to the second half. Another maul saw Scarr get his hattrick but the whole team were to thank, their passionate start put them straight onto the front foot. Abbey did well to sustain this pressure and a new game plan gave them great platform allowed them back into the game when it seemed certain that Buckingham would have a relaxed second half. Some pinpoint box kicks followed by even better chases swayed the game in Abbey’s favour, specifically when centre Mike Beckly regained a high ball in their 22 giving Bevan the chance to snipe and score his second from 5 metres, with Walton taking the game to 17-22.

For the ensuing 10 minutes the game became a stalemate of physicality with the only moments of note being line breaks by either side. Eventually Ollie Walton took another easy 3 points following one of Number 8 max Courtnage’s many barnstorming carries – he was a standout player for Abbey throughout the game. 20-22 after 55 minutes.

As the game reached its final 20 minutes Buckingham ran away with it; number Max Nagy in the corner with Kinmane’s conversion after a fine back’s move. Not soon after Buckingham took the game to 20-34 with Euan Prime scoring as a result of well-sustained attacking pressure. Although the game looked dead and buried Abbey fought on and sought to amount an unlikely comeback through a Dave Canham try after a good George House break, Ollie Walton added the extras with an impressive conversion. However, it was not to be and the score remained 27-34 to Buckingham giving them consecutive wins for the first time in two months and Abbey their 4th loss in a row.

The losing bonus point should be appreciated by the players, as they maintained great determination and character to stay in the game when at points they looked down and out, Buckingham were never comfortable and the game could’ve gone the other way if it weren’t for a slow start to the 2nd half, and it did look like it would after some fantastic tries. Next week, Abbey take on High Wycombe in an important mid-table battle with the two teams separated by one point (should the bonus point be added).