Match result: Nottinghamians RFC 12 v 43 Bourne RUFC

Bourne travelled to Nottinghamians in the RFU Vase first round on Saturday and for once had a full squad of players and a recognised back line. Late arrival due to delays on the A52 meant for a shorter warm up, but conditions were good for a flowing game of rugby.
Bourne chased the kick off with purpose and put early pressure on the opposition straight from the start the back row trio of Forbes, Faversham and Hume making a nuisance of themselves and winning a scrum. A steady scrum was the order of the day to give good ball to the backs, this was duly delivered with Giullari having good ball to play with, Dixon passed to Binns who was held up in contact, however the resulting ruck led to a penalty 25m out to Bourne, Binns stepped up confidently and slotted it over 0-3 within 5 minutes.
Bourne were moving the ball about and fullback Westcott was coming into the line whenever possible to try and break the gain line, Reeves had a good run down his wing but was bundled into touch, Bourne with pressure turned over the lineout giving a scrum 20 out. Wood, Appleby and Taylor were as steady as a rock in the front row and gave a nudge to allow Forbes plenty of time to pick up at No8 he ran in from 15m helped over the line by support from Douglas and Faversham, Binns converted. 0-10.
Some intelligent kicking by Dixon again moved Bourne up the field and combined with some backs forward interplay eventually resulted in a lineout 10m out. This position had produced a hattrick of trys for Appleby the week before and again worked Taylor hitting Appleby in the lineout who was driven by his forwards over the line , with Hume having the honours of touching down, 0-15. Nottinghamians managed to pin Bourne to their own line for a period of time but the defence was strong, Binns was unlucky not to score from an interception, but unfortunately another Bourne player was judged offside. Although keeping the opposition from scoring with a good defence a number of penalties were given away and Nathan who had just come on in the centres took 10 minutes in the bin for the team when the referee lost patience. The extra man allowed for Nottinghamians to score in the corner just before half time 5-15.
Nottinghamians came out strong in the 2nd half and when they were awarded a penalty 5m out their No8 burst through to score under the posts, 12-15. Bourne played some steady rugby controlling the ball and when a penalty was given 25m out Binns converted to widen the gap again 12-18. The forwards were gathering some momentum with Wood having some rampaging runs with the ball, Faversham and Taylor joined continued the move forward until Giullari chose is time to release the backs, Nathan crossed the line for Bourne under the posts, Dixon converted as Binns was off the field for a Yellow card, 12-25. Straight from the kick off Forbes drove into the opposition half and was stopped illegally, Dixon chose to kick and put it straight through the middle from 30 out, 12-28. Xanti was unlucky not to score when he found space out on his wing, but unfortunately got bundled into touch just short of the line.
It was all Bourne now and the constant pressure led to another penalty that Dixon slotted over, 12-31. With enough of a cushion the next time Bourne had a penalty, Dixon made a brave Crossfield kick that Binns got underneath and scored a try out wide which he then converted, 12-38. The final score was a further reward for the forwards hard work Appleby and Faversham combined drove for the line and were stopped just short, but big Dave Hill was on hand to take the ball for one last push as he flopped over the line to score, this was unconverted, final score 12-43.
Next week Bourne travel to Birstall in a league fixture with hopefully a full squad of players.
Man of the match Iain Taylor – for his tackling and play around the pitch as well as his scrummaging.
Coaches Quote – A full set of backs , finally shows what we can do.