Away day blues for Bourne as they lose narrowly to Wellingborough

Last season had seen a defeat at home to Wellingborough and Bourne not even managing to fulfil the away fixture. Despite last season the recent resurgence at the Club meant hopes were high for a better return this season. Coach Maudsley was forced to drop out of the squad just 48hrs prior to kick-off but Bourne but travelled with a string squad of 19.

This was never going to be an easy game and rain in the lead up to kick-off suggested Bourne’s recent spate of tries through the backs might be negated. Bourne received the kick off and skipper Tom Dixon, as has so many times already this year put pressure on the home side with a clean catch before a decent clearance kick down field. Although Wellingborough won their own line-out cleanly pressure from Adam Binns at the back held things up and Wellingborough were penalised. Binns himself stepped up to convert the ensuing penalty just inside their opponents half but he pushed the kick slightly wide.

After a number of phases by both sides Donald Sweeting, at fullback for the game, gathered a loose ball and wound his way up field; the ball was presented well and the Bourne forwards drove over to recycle well. Wellingborough infringed once again – with the kick somewhat easier than the first Jack Berry took the opportunity to claim the points putting Bourne ahead 3 – 0.

Wellingborough seemed to come to life at this point with their scrumhalf the liveliest of the lot; seizing his opportunity he took a quick penalty which although unconverted put the home side ahead 5-3. Further ill discipline by Bourne led to more penalties and more penalties led to confusion in defence. Another try, this time converted, put Bourne 12-3 behind and facing the possibility of going home with their tails firmly between the legs.

Bourne were rocked at being some way behind and perhaps missed Maudsley’s calming influence as both coach and flyhalf. In addition to this they then lost skipper Dixon after just half an hour when a knee to the head meant he had to leave the field for a trip to A & E where he later had a number of stitches. A penalty was awarded but the Bourne side were left frustrated that the home side weren’t down to 14 men for a period. Berry stepped up and converted the chance to bring the score to 12 – 6 on the half hour. The remaining ten minutes of the half saw an increased defensive effort from Bourne with both Binns and Sam Thornburn limiting Wellingborough’s progress on the scoreboard with try saving tackles.

Wellingborough started the second half the stronger, getting a penalty after five minutes which they duly converted to take the score to 15-6. They then lucky seized their opportunity when amongst some confusion Sweeting called for a marked kick which the referee failed to notice. Although he recovered the ball was tied up and from the resulting scrum Wellingborough scored once again taking themselves to 20 – 6

Finally Bourne started to give a fair account of themselves. Good kicking ahead from Berry pinned the opposition back and resulted in a Bourne lineout on the attacking 22. This gave Bourne the chance to try a training ground move: a good throw to the lineout saw Jake Appleby find George Lindley who provided clean ball from the top of the lineout, scrumhalf Harry Thornburn passed to Berry who did a double miss move with both centres before finally passing to Sweeting who grounded in the corner. Unable to convert from such a distance Bourne remained 20 – 11 behind.

Bourne enjoyed significant periods of attack for the remainder of the game but for the first time this season centres Thornburn and Harby were unable to break down their opponents. Credit to the Wellingborough three-quarters who provided the strongest defence Bourne had been up against this year with their flyhalf and centres were always up fast cutting down space. Berry once again used the double miss move and it appeared to have worked until and the pass appeared to be deliberately knocked on around the 5m line as it sailed towards winger Josh Boddy’s hands. Irate at the intervention to what seemed to be a certain try Bourne were furious but the referee thought differently awarding just a scrum.

Late on Wellingborough did get back into the Bourne half and after a late tackle Berry received a yellow card leaving the visitors with just 14 men for the final few minutes. However Bourne were clearly the team applying the pressure in the dying minutes. Camped on the Wellingborough goal-line Bourne opted to tap a number of penalties and amidst the pressure Wellingborough were reduced to 14 men and then 13 but the option of a penalty try never seemed to occur to the referee.

Although a generally disappointing performance from Bourne they were arguably the better team in the second half - with a better bounce of the ball and some kinder refereeing decisions a victory could have been snatched from defeat.

Bourne travel away to Brackley next week and as always train on Wednesday night at Milking Nook Drove, 6.45pm start - new players always welcome.