Marlow fightback for narrow win over Bucks rivals Aylesbury

Aylesbury 27, Marlow 29

Marlow claimed their third league win on the spin as they went away to Ostlers Field on Saturday and squeezed home for a narrow 29-27 win over Aylesbury.

There's been little to choose between the two teams when they've met this season, with Marlow edging their clash on the opening day of the season 24-22.

Having won confidently away at London Wild Geese (28-50) and beaten Grasshoppers 41-36 in their last match at Riverwoods, Marlow once again got off to a quick start, with Josh Richardson and James Branch providing a human shield for Jack Goss to burst through for his fifth try of the season. Ashton Phillips on kicking duties made it 7-0 to the visitors.

Aylesbury hit back after some sustained pressure close to the Marlow line, their number 12 running a hard line to cut through and dot the ball down (7-7 with the conversion.

Momentum continued to see-saw between the sides with Marlow getting the next score. A sniping run from Phil Hellmuth got the visitors to within striking distance and the ball was worked out left for Tom Houghton to take a delightful offload from Phillips and run in to score his first try of the season.

The conversion was missed but Marlow were in the mood to build on their advantage, and they did so when captain Sam Tuckerman put in a tremendous hit to send the ball spilling into the hands of Hellmuth. He then went on one of his mazy runs before slinging a pass out wide for Dean Whiteley to carve his way through Aylesbury's remaining defenders to score again. Again, the extras were missed but Marlow had built a sizeable 17-7 lead.

Undisciplined play from Richardson gave the home side a route back into the contest. Richardson was shown a yellow card - and sinbinned for 10 minutes - following a high tackle and, although Marlow defended heroically at the end of the half with 14 men, they eventually conceded to make it 17-12 at half-time.

With Marlow back up to their full complement of players early i the second half, it wasn't long before they scored again, with Whiteley dotting down his second of the game.

An awry clearance kick fell into the hands of Barney Rivett who popped the ball up for a charging Price, who managed to offload the ball to Whiteley before being tackled and he ran in to score untouched.

With the score at 22-15 following another missed conversion, Marlow then lost their way for a 20-minute spell. Penalties conceded at the break down handed Aylesbury territory, and they eventually profited to make it 22-20.

The momentum was now with the home side, and a loose clearance fell into the hands of their winger who took off down the left flank, Cian Kelleher got across to make a last-ditch covering tackle, but the referee deemed it to be high and a penalty try was awarded. Kelleher was also shown a yellow card leaving Marlow trailing 27-22 - and down to 14 - with not long left on the clock.

However, there was enough time for Marlow to make up some territory. Branch broke off and popped the ball up to acting scrum half Stephen Nolson who managed to squeeze through a small gap and offload to the supporting Price who dived over on the left to tie up the game.

Having missed his last three conversions, this was a pressure kick for Phillips. But he handled it superbly at 17-years-old to slot it through the sticks to make it 27-29 with a couple of minutes left.

Marlow then gave away a breakdown penalty in front of the posts, about 35/40 minutes out, but Aylesbury's fly-half hooked it left, and the visitors breathed a huge sigh of relief.

With scoreboard pressure telling, Aylesbury then conceded a penalty for going off their feet at the breakdown and Phillips was able to kick the ball into touch to seal a gritty win.

Marlow next host fourth placed Beaconsfield on Saturday. They’re now seventh in the table on 26 points.

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In 2XV news Marlow got their revenge on Rams with a 19-17 win. Ale Fifita getting Marlow's first in the first half, carrying about five Rams players with him over the line.

Ollie Kemp was the beneficiary of classic link up from Miles Noble and Matt Saunders and the latter saw himself collect a lovely cross field kick that caught Rams off guard to score the winning points.