ON paper, it looked a tough ask and it proved to be on the field as well as Leighton Buzzard were resoundingly beaten by Paviors in Nottingham on Saturday, going down 55-7.
With the first half of the season now complete, Leighton lie second from bottom of the Midlands 1 East table, but are still within touching distance of the clubs above them after a disappointing opening 13 games which has seen them win just three times.
But next Saturday’s game against Spalding will be the real test of Leighton’s metal. With the pair level on 19 points, it could prove to be a turning point in Leighton’s season as they look to avenge the home defeat suffered earlier this season.
After last Saturday’s dramatic 19-18 victory over basement boys Coalville, Leighton travelled to Nottingham to take on third placed Paviours full of confidence.
The visitors were forced to make changes to the side that won last week, and were left with a relatively small pack as they lined up at kick off.
But their confidence was quickly squashed as the home quickly got off to the perfect start. Paviors got on the score sheet after six minutes after several phases of rucks that spread the Buzzards out across the park before the big Nottingham second row Pike crashed over the line taking a 5-0 lead.
Leighton were determined to keep in the game and managed to push deep into the home half. And they scored after a great period of ball retention. Buzzards went through ten phases of play before winger Pearson went over. Luke Ilic stepped up to kick Leighton into a 7-5 lead.
Things started to unravel for Leighton shortly afterwards when stand off Dan David had to leave the field after damaging his shoulder in a tackle.
Replacement Jake Wheeler made it on but the back line had to shuffle and Leighton started to lose a little of the shape that had kept the game close.
The home side took advantage and scored two more tries before the break, giving Paviors 15-7 up at the interval.
Leighton suffered another blow at the change when winger Dan Pearson had to come off with a leg injury, with Dario Nangle coming on to the wing in his place.
The second half was hard fought by the Buzzards but the fast backs of the Nottinghamshire side started to stretch their legs and the visiting side could not contain their pace.
Despite this Leighton kept pushing and pressed the home line on more than one occasion but could not get any space to play the game when the offside line didn’t seem to apply much to the home side.
And while the final score of 55-7 does not reflect the effort and commitment of the Leighton side who were disappointed by the end.