Bourne took to the field for their first match of the season on Saturday against a Thorney side hotly tipped for promotion at the end of the season. Bourne’s last game of the previous season was against Thorney where a heavy 88 nil defeat occurred, so this was never going to be an easy match. Although conditions were good, availability was not great with only 4 backs in the match day squad of 18. (A #prayforrain campaign was unsuccessful in getting the cricket called off to bolster the squad with backs!).

Work on the defensive line had been a big part of training this week and Bourne were keeping their discipline holding the Thorney attack and spoiling any decent ball. Ed Cooke was up in the opposition faces to tie the ball up and some good support from the remaining forwards was getting results. The scrum bolstered with the addition of Rab Forbes were holding their own, getting a drive on the opposition, again work in training paying off. Hill at number 8 was ensuring decent ball for Harley Guillari at scrum half when there was any pressure from the opposition, and this allowed Drew Castle to clear the lines from fly half.

The lineout was also working well on our own ball, Taylor hitting Cooke to give clean ball, for Guillari although the Thorney defence was strong so despite their best efforts the backs were not breaking the gain line. Bourne managed to hold Thorney for 25 minutes before the first score and certainly looked in the game. The score however raised the Thorney game and they scored 2 further trys by half time 0-19.

A few players were switched around at the break with Whadcock moving to scrum half, this gave some quicker ball for Bourne and both Castle and Centre Bishop had some runs at the opposition defence but were still unable to score a try.

Bourne tired towards the end and were reduced to 14 men for 20 minutes in the second half due to yellow cards resulting in further try’s for Thorney. Despite this it was a good team defensive effort against a good team, the final score being 0-50.

Next week Bourne welcomes back their cricketers as they travel away to Wellingborough with hopefully at least a starting line-up of recognisable backs!