Spalding RFC 3rds/Vets 27 - Bourne RUFC 12

A scorching day in Spalding on Saturday saw Bourne look to open their Merit League campaign with a win. With the pitch at Spalding’s Memorial Field home particularly firm, conditions looked set to favour a hard-running game. Bourne fielded one of their larger sets of forwards, complemented by a youthful-looking back line.

From the early exchanges it was clear that the home side were looking to play a direct game, with an experienced pack employing the rolling maul to good effect. Neither side was able to gain the upper hand in a frenetic opening quarter, with the game being stretched from one side to the other, much to the delight of the throng of onlookers who had heard Bourne were coming to town and had turned up in their droves.

A stroke of genius was needed to break the deadlock, and it was to no-one’s surprise that the enigma that is John Burgin was involved. In a preplanned move a pinpoint cross-field kick from Glen Smith was supported by a strong chase from Brookes. As his opposite winger was forced to put the ball out of play close to his own line, the ever-alert Burgin gave Brookes the nod for a quick throw-in. Stepping inside the last defender, the fly-half ran the opening score in under the posts, adding the conversion.

This prompted Spalding to bring on the first of their Fijian contingent, which brought an immediate impact. A kick ahead seemed to be covered by the Bourne defence, but unfortunately fell into the hands of the replacement who brought parity back to the game. With Spalding exerting further pressure they edged downfield, and a quick tap penalty close to the Bourne line led to the flanker burrowing over. As the half drew to a close, a great line taken by Lewis at full back almost led to a try, the full-back held up just yards short; moments later, the hulking figure of Tom Burgin was hauled down after stealing an opposing lineout.

Bourne’s front row of Coupland, Cuffe and Brown were dominating at scrum time by this point, an advantage that they continued to press home into the second period. The introduction of Spalding’s 2 remaining Fijians brought an added dimension to the home side’s game, and a further try came after another fortunate bounce in the Bourne 22.

Bourne needed a spark to reignite their game, and it was provided by Bishop. With Spalding penalised in the Bourne 22, the centre took a quick tap before making 60 metres downfield. Bourne were unable to retain possession, but minutes later Bishop was not to be denied – an ambitious attempted clearance over his own head from behind his own line from a Spalding defender went awry and left a simple touch down.

As time ran down Bourne continued to press, but it was Spalding who sealed the game with further scores as Bourne tired. The visitors can be pleased with a dominant forward performance in the scrums, and a vastly improved all-round display from the previous week.

Bourne face Horncastle at home this Saturday, kick off 3pm. Don’t forget tickets for the October Ball (Friday 9th October) are still available - contact Andy Rowe for details (contact details at www.brufc.net).

Bourne RUFC: Toby Lewis; Elliott Brookes, Tom Bishop, Glen Smith, Mark Cochran; John Burgin, Dean Smith; Rob Coupland, Matthew Cuffe, Martin Brown, John Adams, Jay Rock, John Hume, John Motton,Tom Burgin. Repl.: Olly Sadler, Tom Adams, Lester Gaunt, Steve Hirschfeld, Neil Oglesbee.