AEI started the match as if dazzled by a combination of the bright sun, their new shirts and the pre-match photos! Bugbrooke were first to adapt to the conditions and their willingness to run the ball at any opportunity brought them three tries in the opening 10 minutes. Despite this early blow to morale, AEI managed to raise their game and keep the scoring rate down but it was not until towards half time that they started to match the old “Buggers”. Two tries in quick succession before halftime gave AEI heart. Firstly a fine inter-passing move involving forwards and backs set up a Lee Clark try. This was followed by scrum half Gareth Bott charging down a defensive Bugbrooke kick and diving on the ball for his first try for the club.
The second half was a much closer affair with only one try for each team. AEI’s points coming from a quick penalty taken by Tim Sargent who set up Tim Udall to dive over the line with his normal speed and grace! AEI did manage to score higher than Bugbrooke on number of players injured, most notably the father and son combination of Terry and Gareth Bott who both had to leave the field. Good to see Gareth keeping up the family tradition!