Ramblers Test Passed

Argaum knew that nothing less than a victory would do this week after the disappointment of narrowly losing against Tamar Saracens last time out.

The Cricket Field can be a difficult place to go to and get a win and this good Buckfastleigh side know how to play the conditions and indeed change the tempo when needed.

The Chiefs had to use their squad again today as skipper Karl Sullivan, flanker Jamie Burton, center Paul Ansell and winger Ieuan Evans were all out.

Argaum started brightly, turning ball over from the kickoff and the play ended with a try in the corner by Tom Underwood, his first of two. Underwood has now scored four times in his last 3 games, justifying his place in the team.

The visitors controlled the first half with their fast, free flowing rugby. Dan Smith, celebrating his 21st birthday scored twice, Tom Richards and Adam Fitzpatrick also touched down. The only blot on Argaum's copybook when general-in-chief Luke Kenny's loose pass saw the Ramblers' fly-half intercept and run in under the posts from over 50 yards.

36-7 up at the break, the Chiefs' brief was to keep the discipline and the intensity to close out the game. It seemed the Bucks had other ideas as they were the team who had the bit between their teeth.

The Ramblers increased their drive and slowly got themselves back into the game, if not on the scoreboard. The wind and slope were utilised to hain territory and the rucks were hit harder than they had in the first half. Too hard for some as Bucks' tighthead was shown yellow for using his boots too vigorously.

A couple of soft penalties conceded by the Chiefs added to the pressure, which ended up with Buckfastleigh's number 8 getting over the line despite good efforts to hold him up.

This spurred Argaum on and within 5 minutes, it was Aaron Anderson-Smith who crashed over the host's line to score Argaum's 7th try of the day.

The last ten minutes was fiercely contested with nothing but pride left to play for. The final whistle came after a fracas in the dying minutes, but both teams cheered each other on in the tunnell and after a greatly received cup of tea, a few beers were dished out.

Another good win for the Chiefs, and notable displays from Man of the Match Mason Edwards, Underwood on the wing and skipper for the day Kenny, who played and marshalled his team superbly.