Back-to-back wins boost Bourne 1st XV

Having spent most of their early season on the road Bourne were home for the second game in a row at the weekend as they started their RFU Cup campaign against Sleaford. With the side slowly returning to full strength Andrew Brown (sponsored by The Roma Group) made his first start at prop, second row Sam Harby (sponsored by Ian Knight Stonework Brickwork) started his first game since injury and wing Rob Bentley (sponsored by Kruger Equestrian) returned from concussion.

From the start of the game Bourne took the kick-off and set about the game in frantic fashion. Sleaford's defence was resolute in the opening stages but Bourne kept possession well and gradually worked their way upfield into the Sleaford half. After multiple phases Bourne's dominance came to an end when possession was turned over as Sleaford forced the hosts into a handling error.

Sleaford's turn with the ball didn't last long however and Bourne were quickly back in charge. The Bourne pack, picking up where they'd left off the previous week, were dynamic around the park and kept the ball alive through hard running and quick recycling. Having dragged the Sleaford defence several phases to the right Harby, at first receiver, spotted space to the left and immediately switched the point of attack. Committing a number of defenders Harby linked with hooker Harry Thornburn (sponsored by Sion Williams PT) who shot in untroubled from thirty yards out. Scrumhalf Sam Evison (sponsored by Moon & Evison Ltd) added the conversion and Bourne were rewarded with a seven point lead.

Play continued in very much the same way for the remainder of the first half and Bourne crossed for a further two tries. The first came as Thornburn and Harby linked once again, this time with Thornburn acting as a decoy runner. Flyhalf Dave Maudsley (sponsored by DT Accountancy) ran a dummy-scissors with Thornburn which drew a number of the Sleaford defence and Harby angled himself into the resulting gap before sprinting twenty metres to finish.

The second had the makings of try of the season with almost everybody being involved. Starting deep in their own half Bourne worked their way into the Sleaford half; at the next breakdown, centre Adam Binns (sponsored by The Roma Group, Drain Doctor and Lisa Batty) found himself at first receiver and cleverly found a gap between the Sleaford centres. Although initially running sideways to cut the opposition dog-leg, Binns found Harby outside him - as Harby straightened Binns looped to take the ball again and after drawing the last defender fed his centre partner JD Charlton (sponsored by Chris Handley Plastering) who darted for the corner from some way out. With Evison adding one of the conversions and a penalty towards the end of the half the hosts finished the first half 22 - 0.

Conditions throughout the afternoon had become increasingly damp and despite turning round with the wind behind them it looked as though Bourne would have to curb their enthusiasm with the ball in hand. However, it was clear from the restart that although they were being sensible with their handling it wasn't to the detriment of their attacking potential. Just minutes into the half a number of phases led to the Sleaford defence being splintered and Binns was quick to take advantage with a fantastic angle, this time crossing himself.

Throughout the second half Sleaford didn't look set to trouble the scoreboard other than a missed penalty and a failed drop-goal. Although they did get some time with the ball it was quickly shut down by Bourne's defence, proving to be more and more resilient with each game. It was pressure from the Bourne backline that led to the next try as Sleaford failed to clear their lines with an attempted kick and with the ball charged down Charlton was the first to react, scooping the ball up and beating the cover defence with ease.

The next Bourne try was executed with perfection from a shortened line-out. Skipper Tom Dixon (sponsored by The Moorings) acting as first receiver threw a wide pass to Maudsley who in turn threw a wide pass to Josh Lynch, covering fullback once again; Lynch glided in from just inside the Sleaford half avoiding a number of defenders as he did.

Lynch was pivotal to the next Bourne try, another contender for try of the season. The Bourne forwards developed a number of phases, often led by replacement prop Paul Mambey who showed some real power in his first outing with the 1st XV this season; Mambey was supported by Dixon and fellow backrower Dan Smith (sponsored by Martin Bradley Body Repairs) who continues to impress. After some hard work from the forwards the ball found its way to Lynch who evaded almost the entire Sleaford team as he went almost three quarters of the pitch to cross the try-line. Selflessly Lynch, despite being over the line, fed replacement winger Chris Warnes (sponsored by Maximum Nutrition) to gift Warnes his first try in a Bourne shirt.

Not long later Warnes, having moved to flyhalf, showed he didn't need any help as he cut a fantastic line to glide through past his opposite man before touching down himself for just his second try at the Club.

With Evison adding all the conversions, Bourne were 57 - 0 up at this point. Unfortunately the game was brought to a premature end with a serious injury to one of the Sleaford players. With ten minutes left it was decided that the result was a foregone conclusion and there was no point in continuing, with the priority then to attend to the injured player.

Man of the Match Charlton was modest about his own performance, paying tribute to the influence of his forwards: "Scoring tries is relatively easy if your pack can put you in the sort of position ours did today. They're getting better and better and that's allowing the side to get better and better."

Coach Maudsley spoke in a similar vein: "It's not a coincidence that for two games in a row now our forwards have played well and we've won. There's always been leaders within the pack but now everybody's contributing which means a better platform for the side to play from."

Maudsley added, "We've had a tough start to the season but the last two games have shown we can compete at this level. When we get a full side out, and those guys play to their ability, we're a match for most sides we're up against. We have a long way to go but if we stick at it we'll do ourselves proud."