They travelled early so as the journey was well out their systems before kick-off and also gave the coaches the chance to put over the last bits of advice and tactics.

Bourne were up for it from the start and a clean catch by Cooke from the kick off settled a few nerves, good ball was available and Tom Dixon cleared the ball up field. Barton ran the ball back but at the breakdown were turned over Harry Bower emerging with the ball, passing on to his back row partner Harry Thornburn, they took it up to half way before and offload to Adam Binns saw him cut the defence apart to nearly run in a try, he was held up 5m out, Barton managed to clear their lines only to half way and were then penalised. Binns stepped up from 40 m out and kicked the 3 points.

The ball was again ran back at Barton from the restart, with both backs and forwards involved , Faversham and Hume combined well and were stopped illegally with a further penalty resulting, again converted by Binns , 6-0. Bourne should then have scored a try, good secure ball was won at the scrum and distributed by Drew Castle and put through the hands to Rossi & Liam Croker who should have made better use of the 2 on 1but instead cut inside and was held up just short of the line, Barton somehow managed to clear their line again.

The scrum was fairly even with both team winning their own ball, but a firm base from the front row of Rushton, Xipu and Wood, was allowing Castle to give the backs good ball. The remainder of the half was spent in the Barton half but with no score to show, the discipline was solid as the team played together in keeping their defensive line. Encouragement was also taken from the fact that they had both the slope and wind in the 2nd half.

Bourne kicked off the 2nd half with good pressure being put on Barton by the forwards and they were forced to kick, Jack Berry now collected the kick at full pace and danced his way through the Barton defence, before passing on to Andy Dixon who was in support who ran in to score, Binns converted 0-13.

A strong tackle in midfield by Neil Wood led to a turnover and Hume carried the ball forward, where it was again recycled with Castle comfortably finding Dixon who kicked for touch. Faversham was winning a number of the opposition ball and good work from Hume and Thornburn turned over another Barton lineout Dixon took the ball forward and was high tackled, a further penalty was awarded which Binns converted 0-16. Straight from the kick off Rushton caught the ball and took it into contact the forwards protected the ball well so Castle could easily feed Tom Dixon who kicked ahead, this was chased down by Andy Dixon and Binns and caused the Barton defense to panic, the loose ball was picked up by Faversham who was high tackled, giving Binns another easy 3 points, 0-19.

Mambey had now entered the game and watched admirably whilst Wood and Rushton went on a rumble up the pitch, Faversham then broke from the blind side and was stopped illegally a further penalty being awarded which Binns scored, 0-22. The home team then had a period of dominance, slowly working their way up field and were awarded a number of penalties and chose to run the ball. They were awarded with a forwards try under the posts which was converted. 7-22.
Barton still had hope at this stage and were trying to run the ball at every opportunity, luckily for Bourne Binns read a stray pass and intercepted to run a try in under the posts to put the score beyond doubt, 7-29. At the kick off Mambey caught the ball, did a quick dance and made a good yard before going to ground, the forwards protected the ball and Castle gave the ball to Dixon who cleared into touch for the final play of the game.

Bourne now play in the final at’ Woodnook’ Kesteven Rugby Club on bank holiday Monday against Cleethorpes 11.30am Kick off, please come and support the team.

Man of the match Andrew Dixon

Coaches Quote – Defence won us the game, but we have aspects to work on for the final.