DAVENTRY-based band So’77 will be performing at a pub on the Grange estate in Daventry.

The band’s gig takes place on Friday at The Pike and Eel on Tamar Square starting at 8.30pm.

They cover the punk/new wave era of music from the late 1970s and early 1980s and play covers of bands including The Sex Pistols, The Buzzcocks and The Undertones.

It is a special night for the band as it is bass player and vocalist Simon Lockyer’s final performance with the band.

For further information about the band and gigs lined up for the new year, visit www.so77.co.uk or, alternatively, find them on Facebook.

George North has hailed Saints for allowing him to have the best of both worlds by playing international rugby outside the IRB window.

The 21-year-old was given permission to play for Wales against Australia on November 30, despite Premiership clubs having reached an agreement that only England players can be released for matches outside of the window.

Saints were called in front of a Premiership Rugby panel on Wednesday and were hit with a £60,000 fine, which they will not appeal.

But North is backing his club 100 per cent and admits the freedom to play for his country whenever selected was part of his decision to join Northampton from Scarlets during the summer.

“For me I came to the club because I want to improve myself as a player and Northampton said they wanted me as well,” he said.

“I’ve enjoyed every second of being here.

“Northampton allow me to play quality rugby week in week out but also allow me to pursue my Wales career. I’ve got the utmost respect for the club for wanting me here.

“I back them 100 per cent for giving me the opportunity to pursue my Wales career but also play top rugby week to week as well.”

And he added: “For me it’s a massive honour to put the (Wales) jersey on and if they say ‘George, we want you to play’ I’m going to play.

“Thank goodness the Saints have been so understanding with me and given me the opportunity to pursue my international career.”

Meanwhile, Saints are set to tie up contract renewals for more first-team stars in the coming days.

The club announced on Tuesday that Tom Wood, Sam Dickinson, Christian Day, Mike Haywood and Ben Nutley had all re-signed.

And several other players are set to commit their futures to the club imminently.

Saints could also dip into the transfer market to bring in a new back after the departure of wing Vasily Artemyev earlier this week.

A coroner has confirmed she will write to an NHS Trust urging that lessons are learned in the treatment of depressed patients after a father-of-one committed suicide, despite his desperate family’s pleas for him to undergo specialist treatment.

Bernard Boland hanged himself on 23 December last year at Berrywood Hospital in Northampton, after suffering Bi-polar disorder and severe depression for 30 years.

The 70-year-old’s daughter, Lisa Benge, has now instructed medical law experts at Irwin Mitchell to investigate whether more could have been done by staff within Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust to give her father the treatment he desperately needed.

During an inquest at Northampton Coroner’s Court held on Tuesday senior coroner Anne Pember, heard how Mr Boland’s depression had previously been successfully controlled by receiving regular electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) – where electric shocks are transmitted to the brain that are known to improve mood.

However, on 5 December 2012, Mr Boland’s condition worsened and he admitted to doctors and his family that he had tried to hang himself at home a few days previously and still felt like he wanted to take his own life.

A consultant told Lisa she considered her father to be high-risk and that he needed immediate admission to Berrywood Hospital but the Crisis Team, who assessed all urgent referrals, said Mr Boland could be treated at his home in Welford with drugs, despite Lisa’s pleas that ECT was the only treatment that could help.

It was not until 15 December, 10 days later, that Mr Boland was finally admitted to Berrywood after his condition worsened and he was eventually given ECT on 21 December. However, it was too late and two days later he hanged himself in the shower in his bedroom with his pyjamas.

The coroner recorded a narrative verdict quoting that “insufficient attention was paid to Bernard Boland’s daughter’s view that he had responded to ECT”. She also confirmed that she will write to the CEO of Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust asking that lessons be learned, not only in the hospital but in relation to community care, to cover ECT provision and consideration to the views of the family.

Scott Tolliss, a medical law expert at Irwin Mitchell representing Lisa, added: “This is a tragic case that left a family devastated by the loss of a loving husband and father just days before Christmas.

“Lisa understandably wants answers about whether more could have been done by health professionals in the weeks leading up to her father’s death to protect him and it will also give her some comfort to know improvements have been made by the Trust to protect future patients’ safety following the Coroner’s recommendations.

“We will now continue to work on the family’s behalf to gather information to help provide these answers and hope that the Trust will work with us quickly and amicably so the family can begin the long process of rebuilding their lives.”

Our photographers and readers have been out and about snapping pictures of the week’s events.

Here is a selection of some of them.

Tom Mercey has urged Saints to treat Wasps with the same respect as they did Leinster.

Mercey and Co head to Adams Park on Saturday aiming to build on the stunning 18-9 success secured at the Aviva Stadium last weekend.

But they know they won’t have it all their own way against a Wasps side currently sitting seventh in the Aviva Premiership standings.

And tighthead prop Mercey is well aware of what a potentially tricky fixture this could prove for his side.

“It’s a potential big banana skin for us,” he said. “We’ve got to treat this week with the same respect as we treated last week and just rely on the systems.

“Ultimately, what we focused on last week was a performance and we’ve just got to take that into this weekend and show respect for Wasps for being the good side they are.”

But Saints will undoubtedly take plenty of belief from the way they delivered in Dublin last time out.

And Mercey knows that standard of that display must be maintained in the coming weeks, with games against Bath and Harlequins coming hot on the heels of the Wasps clash.

“That’s got to be the minimum standard we take forward,” he said. “In the back of everyone’s mind has got to be the week before, when we lost to Leinster (40-7 at Franklin’s Gardens).

“If we don’t start the game right, that can certainly happen.

“Every team in the Premiership has got good players and the ability to do what Leinster did to us.

“It’s just the focus we need to get and build on last week’s performance.”

An aircraft crash near Canons Ashby House was due to engine failure after the pilot performed a steep left turn.

The Air Accidents Investigation Branch investigated the crash, involving a 1930 Gipsy Moth on August 12.

The pilot of the plane was Giles English. He and his passenger, an 11-year-old boy later named as Oliver Nuttall, were left with “serious injuries”.

The report, following an interview with Mr English, states the engine had been “consistently reliable” and there was no identified reason for it failing.

The report states: “The aircraft was performing a steep turn to the left when the engine stopped.

“It entered a spin and, while the pilot was able to recover from the spin, during the subsequent forced landing the aircraft struck a grass bank and was extensively damaged.”

Daventry Town boss Darran Foster branded his team’s performance as ‘totally unacceptable’ following Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Chalfont St Peter.

Town took a 14th-minute lead in the match through striker Ashley Robinson, but from then on in were frustrated as the hosts hit back to claim a share of the spoils.

“I can’t beat about the bush, the performance was totally unacceptable and we need to get it right quickly,” moaned Foster.

“We always knew we could have a barren spell, how we react to it will determine the direction we move in the next few weeks.

“The performance at Chalfont was flat and boring, which is not the way we usually play.

“We never worked hard enough and didn’t deserve to win the game.

“Apart from Luke Keen hitting the woodwork twice and a couple a snap shots, we never really created much at all.

“We have lacked pace since Mykel Beckley has been out injured and he is still some weeks away from returning to the squad.

“So I have made seven day approaches for a couple of wingers to try and help freshen things up.

“The point at St Ives was deserved, we played well but got no luck in the game.

“But we dropped two points at Chalfont and I was surprised at our low level of performance in that game.

“The lads are very disappointed by their recent performances and realise the importance of the next few matches.

“We need to get back to winning matches by playing good quality football as soon as possible, I have every confidence the lads can get back to winning ways.”

Top scorer Robinson had scrambled the ball over the line to give Town the lead.

Daventry came close to increasing their lead six minutes later, a cross from Tom James was headed goal wards by new striker Luke Keen, making his first start, but unfortunately it hit the post.

Foster was forced to make an early substitution after only 30 minutes, Guy Sanders being replaced by Marcel Simpson after the Daventry skipper had complained of a thigh strain.

Both sides came out looking stronger in the second half, Danilson Vicente having a shot deflected high over the bar for a corner and winger Romaine Walker put a shot well wide, with only Daventry keeper Richard Morris to beat!

Ryan Howell thought he had done enough to put his name on the score sheet, but a fingertip save by keeper Michael Simagnon, turned the ball away from the goal line.

Striker Leon Osie powered a shot across the Daventry goal and Saints defender Terrell Lewis put a header over his own crossbar.

Keen then produced the highlight of the game, running left of the goal, he bought a difficult high ball under control with one touch, took a few paces forward then hit a thunderous strike which hit the bar.

The Saints kept going and equalised after 75 minutes through Gareth Paxton.

Oulton had the chance to steal all three points for Daventry but his drive went narrowly wide.

This Saturday Daventry host Aylesbury at Communications Park in their final match before Christmas.

Daventry then visit Rugby on Boxing Day before hosting Kettering Town on January 1.

Town’s scheduled fixture at AFC Hayes on Tuesday night was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.

Match Facts

Chalfont St Peter 1 Daventry Town 1

Saturday, December 14, 2013

Calor League Division One Central

Daventry: Richard Morris, Ashley Deeney, Tom James, Liam Dolman, Guy Sanders (Simpson 28mins), Adam Confue, Ross Oulton, Neil King (Blake 90mins), Ashley Robinson (Lorraine 70mins), Luke Keen, Ryan Howell.

Scorer: Ashley Robinson (14mins)

MOM: Luke Keen

In the book: Ross Oulton (90mins)

Attendance: 45

Joe Power was the two-goal hero as Long Buckby claimed a welcome win in the UCL Premier Division on Tuesday night.

Phil Mason’s men have been struggling for results this season, and on Saturday they were hammered 6-0 at Mason’s former club Wellingborough Town.

But on Tuesday night they secured three big points as rock-bottom Harborough Town were beaten 2-0.

The Leicestershire side travelled to Station Road on the back of a three-match unbeaten run, but Power made the Buckby breakthrough six minutes before the break.

The midfielder added a second home goal from the penalty spot eight minutes past the hour.

Another spot kick gave Harborough the chance to get back in the game, but Jack Burrows’ kick was saved by home custodian Alastair Worby.

The result sees Buckby comfortable in 14th place in the table.

This Saturday Mason’s men travel to mid-table Holbeach, but they do not have a fixture on Boxing Day.

In division one, it was another bad week for Woodford United.

On Saturday they travelled to in-form ON Chenecks, and were beaten 6-0.

The result means Woodford stay bottom of the table, with just three points all season.

This Saturday they entertain another struggling side in Blackstones at Byfield Road (ko 3pm).

And the Stamford side will be gunning for revenge, as it was they who were beaten 2-1 by the Reds on home soil back on November 2.

Like Buckby in the premier division, Woodford are without a fixture on Boxing Day.

Dylan Hartley, Courtney Lawes and Lee Dickson will form part of a fearsome Saints bench for Saturday’s game at Wasps (kick-off 3pm).

Jim Mallinder has opted to give the England trio a bit of a breather after last weekend’s superb win at Leinster, with Mike Haywood, Sam Dickinson and Kahn Fotuali’i coming into the starting 15.

Those are the only three changes from the 18-9 success at the Aviva Stadium, with Tom Collins remaining on the wing and George North continuing to form a centre partnership with Luther Burrell.

With Hartley on the bench, Tom Wood will captain the side, while Samu Manoa moves from eight to four to accommodate Dickinson.

Saints remain without Ben Foden, Alex Corbisiero (both knee), James Wilson, Dom Waldouck (both calf), James Craig (shoulder) and George Pisi, who is banned until December 23.

Saints: K Pisi; Elliott, North, Burrell, Collins; Myler, Fotuali’i; A Waller, Haywood, Ma’afu, Manoa, C Day, Clark, Wood (c), Dickinson.

Replacements: Hartley, E Waller, Mercey, Lawes, Dowson, L Dickson, G Dickson, Stephenson.

Wasps: Daly; Helu, Bell (c), Hayter, Varndell; Goode, Davies; Mullan, Festuccia, Cooper-Woolley, Palmer, Launchbury, Johnson, Haskell, Jones.

Replacements: Lindsay, Vea, Swainston, Cannon, Thompson, Simpson, Carlisle, Suniula.

The Saints players may have been nursing sore heads last Sunday, but they simply cannot afford a Dublin hangover at Adams Park this weekend.

Jim Mallinder rightly told his men to get on the beers after Saturday’s stunning 18-9 Heineken Cup win against Leinster at the Aviva Stadium.

They had, after all, claimed one of the most impressive wins in their club’s history and were in a city known for its ability to throw a good party.

But it was back to work on Monday morning, with a reminder of what happened last time Saints claimed a memorable European win on Irish soil.

Last December, they upset the odds to defeat Ulster at Ravenhill, with the 10-9 victory breaking the Belfast side’s four-year unbeaten record.

Just a week later, though, it was Saints who were left reeling on their own turf as Harlequins headed to Franklin’s Gardens and claimed an 18-9 win.

Northampton were below-par that day, struggling to get into their stride and only having three penalties to show for their efforts.

Quins played a clever game, exploiting their opponents and refusing to be overawed by a team who should still have been on a high from their Belfast brilliance.

Saints came crashing back down to earth with a bump, and it has been made clear to them this week that they must be on the money if they are to return to league action with a win.

Though they remain in the hunt in the Heineken Cup thanks to last weekend’s success, Northampton’s best chance of major silverware remains in the Premiership.

They currently sit second thanks to a record that has seen them lose just once this season, at Gloucester.

And with Saracens taking on Leicester and Bath hosting Harlequins this weekend, they have the chance to make their bid for the Christmas No.1 spot.

It is a pivotal round of action which is not for the faint-hearted.

Wasps will, of course, be no pushovers, defending their own turf ferociously.

They have already tamed the Tigers at Adams Park this season and will be eager to improve on the seventh place they currently occupy.

Saints, though, should have more than enough, if they bring the sort of game they took to Dublin last weekend.

That performance will be the benchmark for the remainder of the campaign and Mallinder will expect nothing less from his men every time they run out.

There will be hiccups along the way, but Saints will be eager to make sure the fizz of last weekend doesn’t turn flat on Saturday afternoon.

The reason for David Willey’s return from the England Performance Programme trip to Australia has been identified.

The Northamptonshire all-rounder, who was forced home early from down under, is suffering from a hot spot in his back which showed up on a scan.

And, while he will need a period of time for the injury to heal, he is expected to be ready for the start of the season in April.

It is a double blow for Willey who had to pull out of a deal to play for Auckland in New Zealand’s domestic Twenty20 competition and has been unable to push his case for inclusion for the England Lions’ tour to Sri Lanka in the new year.

It has all been far from ideal. However, head coach David Ripley is pleased all the uncertainties have been cleared up.

He said: “We’ve managed to get to the bottom of the injury and while it took us a 
while, I’m glad it has happened now and not been left to drag on.

“The early signs were that it was a stress fracture in an awkward part of his back but a different quality of scan found the problem.

“It’s obviously been frustrating for David who has had injections and some 
rest.

“He was bowling outside in Australia but it wasn’t going away so we had to change our approach and that, thankfully, has worked.”

As for when Willey will be able to return to the fray, Ripley said he should be able to build up gradually over the next few weeks.

He added: “He’ll take it easy, probably until the middle of January, and he could be bowling by the end of February.

“We then go to Barbados for pre-season and I fully expect him to be bowling properly by then.

“If that all goes to plan, then he’ll be fine for the first game in April.”

Daventry’s Kevin Painter cruised through to the second round of the PDC World Championship with an emphatic first round win on Thursday night.

The Billericay-born thrower made short work of Germany’s Tomas Seyler, beating him 3-0 at Alexandra Palace, to set up a second-round clash with Australian Paul Nicholson on Sunday afternoon.

Against Seyler, Painter lost the first leg, but then reeled off nine in a row, finishing with a very impressive 98.59 average.

Following his opening win, Painter, who is based at Casey’s Club in Daventry, tweeted: “Pleased to get through my first round match, and happy with my performance.

“Thanks to you all for your fantastic support. Top people.”

Nicholson also eased to victory in his first round encounter, the UK-born Australian seeing off Stuart Kellett 3-0.

New Northants recruit Jackson Bird made an outstanding return from injury as the Melbourne Stars easily won their Big Bash League opener in Australia.

Australian Test star Bird was on a hat-trick, took four for 31 from his four overs and also helped execute a run-out to help the Stars beat city rivals Melbourne Renegades by 76 runs at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

The Renegades were dismissed for 132 in 17.3 overs.

It was Bird’s first match at senior level since injuring his back during the fourth Ashes Test in England earlier this year, and his return to fitness and form is encouraging news for County coach David Ripley.

The Stars scored 208 for seven and the Renegades were never in the hunt.

In the fourth over of the innings, Bird, who will be Northants’ overseas player for a large chunk of the 2014 season, took two wickets in three balls and the Renegades were in massive trouble at 30 for three.

Their danger man and captain, Aaron Finch, made only 32 before he fell to a superb outfield catch by David Hussey, leaving them in a hole at 44 for four.

A 67-run stand from English all-rounder Jos Buttler and Peter Nevill took the Renegades to 111 for four in the 13th over and they were still in the hunt.

But Bird took their wickets in successive balls to kill off the challenge.

Buttler top-scored with 49 and Nevill made 25.

Bird’s throw also helped run out Nathan Rimington for four.

Earlier, former Steelbacks T20 star Cameron White had done his bit with the bat, along with England’s Luke Wright.

Wright top-scored for the Stars with 70 from 32 balls, with skipper White, who opened the batting, making 53

George North has hailed the ‘awesome’ Saints fans for helping him settle into life in Northampton.

The Wales wing upped excitement levels among the town’s rugby fans when he moved to Saints from Scarlets during the summer.

He has gone on to score two tries in nine appearances as well as showing his ability to assist scores in crucial wins in the Aviva Premiership and Heineken Cup.

The 21-year-old has also enjoyed a stint with Wales during that time and says he is still becoming acquainted with life at his new club.

“It’s an ongoing thing,” said North. “It doesn’t happen overnight.

“Going away with Wales doesn’t really help the settling in process, but from minute one the squad has been amazing with me.

“I’ve naturally had plenty of stick about being the only Welshman here, about being big time, a few other things along those lines but if I wasn’t getting that I’d be worried.

“That’s the benefit of having a good squad here.

“We’ve got a lot of young boys my age as well, which helps when you’re trying to relax because you’ve got a lot of things to do.

“It’s good to have the older boys here as well and the coaching staff have been great.

“The fans have been awesome. The support we’ve had since I’ve been here has been immense.

“And just Northampton, I’ve had people asking me how I am when I’m walking around Sainsbury’s, which is nice.”

North, who was in superb form as Saints beat Leinster last weekend, will now aim to get a run of club games under his belt.

He admits he is still learning about life at Northampton and is doing his best to realise his potential.

“I’ve found it tough coming to a new club with a new way of playing but for me it will take a bit of time to get into it,” he said.

“Week by week I’m gaining more information and knowledge about how we play here and how I can be more effective for the team.

“For me it’s a case of just making sure I know my roles all the time and making sure I can be as effective as I can when called upon.”

A proposal to build 450 new homes on fields to the north of Daventry has been unveiled.

The development proposal from Landform is for Mickle Well Park – land to the north of Lang Farm between the A361 and Welton Lane.

The issue was raised at Daventry Town Council on Monday night.

Cllr Ron Fox told the Daventry Express: “The developer approached the clerk and mayor last week to raise the issue.

“It was put on the agenda for Monday’s meeting, but we don’t have a lot of information at the moment so we couldn’t really come to a conclusion.

“We decided to ask the developers for an informal meeting to discuss the proposals. We’re also going to invite Welton Parish Council along as well as the site affects their village too.”

The site has been highlighted as a potential area for housing, but DDC’s strategic plan will favour the ‘Church Fields’ site along the B4036 near the country park.

The proposal is not yet at the stage where the developer is drawing up a planning application.

The proposal shows 450 homes could be built on the site over seven years in five phases.

The masterplan shows the new estate would, alongside the homes, include land for allotments and public open space, plus balancing ponds and green buffers along the northern and western edges.

Access would be via a single new roundabout on the A361, north of the current Middlemore roundabout. Foot and cycle paths would link the new estate to Lang Farm, and there is a proposed bus and emergency services only access too.

A number of primary schools in the Daventry district are above the national average, the latest government school league tables have revealed.

The statistics revealed that, as an average, 75 per cent of pupils were achieving level 4 in reading, writing and maths. And 21 schools out of 33 in the Daventry district exceeded this.

Top of the table are Naseby Primary School with 100 per cent of pupils achieving the standards. They were followed by Yelvertoft Primary School with had 92 per cent and Kilsby Primary School and The Bliss Charity School in Nether Heyford closely behind.

With 90 per cent of children reaching level four were Barby, East Haddon and Guilsborough primary schools.

At Boddington 
89 per cent of pupils hit the targets while at St Mary’s in Aston le Walls, 88 per cent reached level 4.

Harpole Primary School had 87 per cent of pupils reach the targets while the schools in Byfield and Kislingbury had 86 per cent. Crick Primary School and Brixworth Primary School had 85 per cent and 84 per cent of pupils get level four.

Some 83 per cent of pupils at Welton Academy and Brington Primary School achieved level four with 82 per cent at Weedon Bec Primary.

West Haddon Primary School saw 81 per cent of its pupils get level four with 80 per cent of youngsters at Newnham Primary School.

Flore Primary School and Badby School were the final two above the national average with 79 and 77 per cent respectively.

Pattishall and Braunston Primary Schools were just below the average with 73 and 72 per cent. The Grange School was the top ranking of the town’s schools with 72 per cent.

Some 71 per cent of pupils achieved level four at the primary schools in Bugbrooke, Chipping Warden and Woodford Halse. Ashby Fields Primary School and the DSLV Academy, both in Daventry achieved 64 and 62 per cent.

At both Staverton and Long Buckby Junior Schools 60 per cent reached level four.

The district’s schools were completed by The Abbey Junior School and Falconer’s Hill Junior, both in Daventry, who got 56 and 51 per cent of pupils reaching level four respectively.

The average across Northamptonshire as a whole was 72 per cent.

Christmas is usually the time of the year in which clubs reflect on their progress, looking back over the first five months of the season and looking ahead to what the New Year may have in store for them!

Daventry Town started the season at 25/1 to win the Calor League Division One Central, those odds were slashed quickly as they stormed to the top, winning their first seven matches.

Daventry did not taste defeat until their 20th match including cups and friendlies.

That first defeat came at Dunstable, which Town lost by 3-1, and Dunstable have won all 10 games since beating Town.

Dunstable are a very difficult team to beat, their game at Communications Park on February 1 could prove to be a turning point for both clubs.

Town have only suffered one more league defeat since then, an injury ravaged team losing at promotion favourites Slough Town.

Dunstable and Slough will be contenders for the title next April, alongside Daventry and Rugby.

Daventry have an enviable home record in the league, having won all eight matches.

But it is the cup competitions that have excited the supporters during the first half of the season, in the FA Cup reaching the first round proper for the first time in their history, going out of the competition to Chesterfield by 2-0. It was an excellent run including memorable victories at Belper Town, Hartley Wintney and Grays Athletic. It also raised almost £30,000 in prize money!

The FA Trophy provided almost £13,000 in prize money too, but that run was ended by Maidenhead United of the Conference South.

And let’s not forget the Hillier Cup final next April.

It will be a return visit to Sixfields and the chance to return to Daventry with the county’s major senior football trophy.

The cup runs have enabled Daventry to build and retain a large squad; Luke Keen joins Ashley Robinson, Tom Lorraine and Scott Cross up front.

Town also have a very strong back line, we have four centre backs to choose from in Liam Dolman, Guy Sanders, Marcel Simpson and Joe Henderson.

They are ably supported by Ollie Wilkinson, Ashley Deeney, Josh Blake and Tom James as wing-backs and with two keepers to call upon, Richard Morris and Iurga Iustin.

The midfield is also very strong, Ryan Howell, Ross Oulton, Adam Confue, Neil King and Mykel Beckley.

It has been a fantastic start to what we hope will be a successful season for Daventry.

The coming months will determine whether we can push on and win promotion.

Here’s to a happy and successful New Year 2014.

Daventry Under-14s travelled to Earlsdon without seven regular players, but still recorded a impressive 34-5 win.

After five minutes of intense pressure on the opposition line Harry Hayward scored, but Earlsdon hit straight back with a try of their own.

Daventry shrugged that off to regain the lead with a try from Charlie Swallow.

From the restart, Daventry again attacked and Hayward scored his second try of the match, with Ben James adding the conversion to make it 17-5 at half-time.

In the second half there was some excellent defence from Connor Jones at full-back, while at the other end of the field Hayward was having a field day scoring three more tries to take his tally to five.

James converted one of them to make the final score 34-5.

Daventry secure revenge on Bletchley

Daventry Under-15s secured revenge for a defeat suffered at the hands of Bletchley last season, as they won this fixture 45-0.

The All Blacks opened their account early on with Freddie Taylorrunning in at pace following some good passing from the backs, which was converted by Joe Green.

On 16 minutes a Bletchley clearance kick was caught by Archie Darby who ran well and set up Harry Nightingale to score and make it 12-0.

Taylor soon scored his second try of the game, which was converted by Green, and Daventry were in control at 19-0.

The scoring didn’t stop there, as from the restart Matthew Brighty tidied up loose ball and handed it to Lachlan Freeman who burst his way through three attempted tackles and run more than half the length of the pitch to score, Green again converting and the All Blacks led 26-0 at half-time. The second half got off to a flying start as Fin Wilde scored a cracking solo try, which was converted by Richard Andrews.

There then followed a period of some very aggressive play close to the Daventry line. Forwards and backs both tackled well, led by Kai Dunlop, to keep the opposition out.

Daventry weathered the storm, despite seeing the dismissals of Harry Morris and Lachlan Freeman as tempers flared.

Despite the loss of players, the rest of the team remained committed. The five remaining forwards worked hard on doing their basics, notably Matthew Brighty and Thomas Critchley.

Daventry eventually added to their try tally through Charlie Rooney and Lewis Evans, the latter being converted by Andrews to make the final scored 45-0.

Matthew Brighty was named man of the match.

Daventry Development XV bounced back from the previous week’s disappointing result in great style as they beat Men’s Own IIs 32-0 at Stefen Hill.

With a strong wind across the pitch neither side gained much advantage, so there was a lot of ball kept in hand and in play for long periods of the first half.

Both packs seemed fairly well matched, but Daventry did have an advantage at the lineout with promising young talent Trev Hewitt soaring through the air and taking a lot of opposition ball as well.

By half time the only score was from Daventry scrum-half Mark Williams making his home debut.

After the break something clicked with the Daventry forwards and led by the front row of Russ Welsh, Shaun Dobbs and Anthony Brash they started to dominate their opposite numbers and provided some quality possession for the back line. Dan McCallion marked his first game as a winger with a try which was soon followed by another from Williams and then second row Reiss Keating finished a flowing counter attack up the right flank.

The best two scores were saved until almost the end of the game where in both it seemed all 15 had a hand in tries scored by youngsters Dave Brown and Jamie Collins to make it 32-0.

Will Robb scored one conversion, with the man of the match being Anthony Brash.

Daventry’s first team were in Midlands Three East (South) action, but were beaten 24-12 at St Ives.

The All Blacks are without a game this weekend.

LONG BUCKBY

Long Buckby claimed a win without kicking a ball in anger at the weekend.

Their scheduled date with Westwood was cancelled, as Westwood couldn’t raise a team.

A statement on Buckby’s website read: “Sadly Westwood, who were to be the opposition at today’s special luncheon and match for our club’s Vice Presidents, informed us on Thursday they cannot put up a team to travel.

“It’s always sad to see a club struggle and we surely wish them better for the new year.”

Being handed the win means Buckby will go into 2014 as leaders of Midlands Four East (South).

They are currently seven points clear of second-placed Olney - who they are scheduled to play on December 28 - and 10 clear of third-placed Bedford Swifts.

Buckby now turn their attentions to reaching the semi-final of the Midlands Junior Vase competition.

The Bucks will travel to Harbury for their quarter-final on Saturday.

“This is a fixture to relish and look forward to with both teams currently leading their representative leagues,” read a statement on the club website.

Under 10s

Daventry Town Danes

Beat GLK United 1-0

Scorer: Harvey Walker

Team: Daniel Ramsden, Morgan Bradshaw, Corbin Mazzone, Jamie Ridley, Harvey Walker, Charlie Olive, Ciaran Allibone, Freddie Price, Oliver Edginton

Report: Danes had to dig deep to grind out this victory. It was end-to-end and both keepers were kept busy. At times ball watching from the Danes gave GLK more opportunities, but by continually clearing their lines, winning second tackles and moving the ball quickly and accurately down the wings to the final third, Danes kept the score at 0-0. GLK dominated the second half but Danes took the lead as Charlie got behind the GLK defence and drove a low ball across the box for Harvey to slot home. GLK kept up the pressure for the final 10 minutes but the Danes responded well. Goalkeeper Daniel Ramsden was MOM.

Under 11

Daventry Town Vikings

Lost 4-3 to Long Buckby

Scorers: Kian Humpage, Isaac Parkinson 2

Team: Daniel Ward, Megan Critchley, Keenan French, Reagan Gibson, Lee Smith, Cameron Waldock, Finn Hourigan, Ben Kaye, Max Adams, Kian Humpage, Daniel Brown, Isaac Parkinson

Report: After an even start, Buckby took the lead with a penalty. It was still end-to-end but it was DTFC who were looking the more likely to score with Ben rampaging down the wing with both Regan and Isaac almost scoring. Isaac then connected with one of Ben’s crosses to score the equaliser. DTFC then went in 2-1 up at half time after a throw somehow found its way to Kian who netted. The second half started in the same way and some good triangular passing from Ben, Reagan and Max put Isaac through for his second and Dav’s third. DTFC pushed to kill off their opponents, but a breakaway goal made it 3-2, before Buckby quickly equalised. Buckby were now looking dominant , and their hunger and energy lead to DTFC’s defence being overwhelmed by numbers and they eventually crumbled four minutes from the end when Buckby scored the winner.

Daventry Town Saxons

Beat Billing United 3-2

Scorers: Josh Adams 2, Dylan Overton

Team: Decklyn Hartley, Charlie Trayford, Josh Adams, Dylan Overton, Luke Barker Poole, Joseph Pursey, Dan Faulkner, Alex Smith, Jack Hancock, Nayan Bryce, James Currivan, Jonathan Fletcher

Report: Saxons scrapped for their lives to edge home. The sign of a good side is one that wins when they do not play at their best, and this was just one of those days. In the first half Saxons dominated but were wasteful in front of goal. All Saxons had to show for their superiority was an opportunistic long range goal from Dylan Overton. Saxons presented Billing with a gift goal at the start of the second half. Saxons withstood more Billing pressure and Jonny Fletcher’s pass fed Josh Adams to score to put Saxons 2-1 in front. Saxons conceded another poor goal but just when it looked like it wasn’t to be Saxons day, a long free kick from Alex Smith led to Josh finishing superbly. Man-of-the-match went to Luke.

Under 12

Daventry Town Vikings

Lost 2-1 to West Haddon

Scorer: Christopher Gunter

Team: Ryan Adams, Thomas Kempster, Thomas Brentnall, Joseph Bannister, Christopher Gunter, Alex Clift, Oliver Starling, Oliver Bates, Lewis Allford, Riley Marklew, Thomas Fish, William Bellis

Report: Daventry set out well and were very much holding their own in the first half but just needed a bit more edge. On came Chris Gunter in the 20th minute on the right hand side and within two minutes a great cross by Oliver Starling set up Gunter to make it 1-0 at half time. Daventry sat back in the second half and allowed Haddon to find their feet and they equalised on 50 minutes.Some sloppy football at the back from Daventry helped Haddon to score a second on the 58 minutes. The Daventry boys were really disappointed with themselves, but well played West Haddon .