Match result: Bedford Queens 53 v 10 Bourne RUFC

Bourne were back in league action this week away at Bedford Queens. Queens new to the league this year after being relegated from Midlands 3 sat at 3rd in the league, so this was never going to be an easy game. This was made even worse by a number of players letting the team down on the day and various other excuses and injuries. Bourne therefore travelled with a bare 15 players, with Coach Forbes putting on his boots in order to field a competitive front row and not forfeit the game. Conditions were dry, but a gale was blowing across the pitch, which would make lineouts a mockery and potentially a game of 2 halves.
Queens decided to play with the wind in the first half and kicked long immediately putting Bourne under pressure, captain Dixon fielded it well though and made good use of his 22 before kicking for touch taking play back up to half way. Disruption was the order of the day at the lineout and right from the start Wood and Hume made a nuisance of themselves, stopping any quick ball for the opposition. Play was bogged down in mid field for a while until Queens again used the wind to attack the corner, the kick was good enough to make Bourne play it and a sliced kicked from Thornburn junior led to a lineout 15 out. Queens worked the lineout well and a forwards drive resulted in an unconverted try after 8 min 5-0.
Bourne chased the resulting kick off and pressure from Hiscocks and Hume retained the ball, Wood and Hill both had drives forward with the ball and won a penalty just outside the 22, Dixon chose to kick but missed with the wind playing a big part in stopping the kick. Queens with wind behind them kicked a penalty to make it 8-0, but again from the Kick off pressure from Thornburn in the centres retained the ball, Wood took it on up to 15m out and won a penalty straight in front of the posts, this time Dixon converted the chance 8-3.
Bourne could have scored when quick ball from Giuallari enabled Dixon to give an inside ball to Thornburn who running a good line, should have backed himself and scored, the pass to Rushton in support although successful enabled Queens to get back and defend the attack. Queens then had a period of play where they moved the ball well creating overlaps and ran in 4 further tries in the half, they converted all of them to make the half time score 36-3.
Despite a scratch team with the wind behind them Bourne kept fighting in this match and were keeping hold of the ball themselves, veteran Dixon on the wing even getting the chance for a run after Lagdon came into the line to create the extra man. Queens were defending well but clever kicking from Dixon was pinning them back in their half, frustrations got the better of Queens and a penalty was given away on half way . Hill took this quickly driving at the opposition with Douglas in support taking the play up to the 22, he in turn found flyhalf Dixon who with a spin out of a tackle made the final yards to score under the posts, and he converted his own try 36-10. Bourne were then hampered by the loss of Wood to a Yellow card, one for the team due to a build of penalties, which again shifted the initiative back to Queens.
Queens did score 3 further tries converting one to give a final score line of 53-10. Bourne never gave up fighting right to the end. Special mention should go to Coach Forbes who played the whole 80 minutes, Hill at No 8 cleaned up a lot of loose ball to provide the backs a platform to work with. With only 15 players travelling everyone showed a fighting spirit and team effort to keep the score line as low as possible and were a credit to the club.
Next up is Sileby Town in the league at home, with the club Xmas dinner on before the game for sponsors, members and supporters when a full set of players and replacements should be available.
Men of the match – The whole team for never giving up.