Bourne 10 boston 8

Bourne RUFC 1st XV 10 Boston RFC 2nd XV 8 : Sat 10th September 2011

On a day of changeable weather conditions that saw hurricane winds, spitting rain and blazing sunshine at the Drove, Bourne opened their 2011/12 league campaign against a Boston side showing a blend of youth and experience. They were watched by a partisan crowd, bolstered by a contingent of Vice Presidents who had enjoyed the first dinner of the season and were replete with port.

Playing with a driving wind at their backs for the first half, Bourne made a strong start, putting the work done in preseason and training to good effect. Bourne were camped in the opposition 22 for a ten minute period, but were unable to make the killer play needed to break the deadlock, showing signs of typical early-season cobwebs. Coupled with a strong Boston defence, and in spite of a number of half breaks from Beanland, Bourne lost territory, and shortly before half time a lapse in concentration allowed a quick tap penalty for Boston who opened the scoring.

Half time came with the home side knowing they had an uphill struggle against the wind in the second period. With the ever popular Sleight, a dynamic runner and a favourite with the ladies in the crowd, entering the fray in place of the unfortunate Gray, Bourne set to work once more.

Lineouts continued to prove difficult for Bourne after the break, with the gusting wind making throwing in particularly tricky. Still unable to make the most of the set piece ball they had, the game drifted into a series of errors with handling continuing to prove difficult; even the fleet-footed Burgin, resplendent in gold boots, was unable to provide the spark to ignite Bourne’s performance.

Bourne’s forwards continued to work hard in the loose, and some quality jackling from Powell resulted in 2 penalties at key times. Boston continued to press, and were denied further scores by forward passes and missed shots at goal. But with 15 minutes left the away fly-half extended their lead with a penalty, and Bourne were left staring down the barrel of an opening day defeat.

However, this young Bourne side simply does not know when it’s beaten, and with 5 minutes to go, the ball was moved wide to Needham for the first time in the game. The wing made good ground before being brought down; Bourne recycled the ball right however, and 2 phases later Tom Douglas was well-positioned to go over from 10 yards out for his first Bourne try.

Knowing now the damage that could be done when the ball went wide, Bourne looked to snatch the game away from their opponents. With the last play of the game, the ball was moved left again to Needham. He stood his man up in exemplary fashion, before gliding round the outside and outpacing the cover defence to seal a memorable win for Bourne.

Bourne face Skegness 2nds this coming Saturday at home, kick off 3pm.

Bourne RUFC: Dale Delaine; Mark Needham, James Beanland, John Burgin, Mark Thomas (Nathan Lewis); Calum Weston, Glen Smith; Matthew Cuffe, Karl Gray (Simon Sleight), Rich Kent (Donk Hill), John Adams, Tom Douglas, Tom Donley (Rhys Powell), John Hume, Simon Pick