Bourne end 2017 on a high

Bourne ended 2017 on a high finally finishing the right side of a local derby.

Having recently lost two games in a short period of time to rivals Deepings, Bourne made the short trip to Stamford wary that the form book often gets torn up for games of such nature. Speaking before the game, however, player-coach Dave Maudsley was confident about his side's chances , "We've had a couple of late changes on the bench but this is as strong a squad as we've named all year - in fact for the first time I can remember we've turned away a number of very good players". He went on to say, "we've done well so far this season but our two losses to Deepings are enough to keep us grounded - when we under perform we're capable of losing to anyone and if we aren't switched on, physically or mentally, we simply won't perform at our best."

Stamford, benefitting from being at home and the support of a decent crowd, started with real intent and quickly drove the Bourne defence backwards. Bourne didn't look ready and early missed tackles put them under unnecessary pressure. Although the visitors conceded an early penalty and slipped behind 3 - 0 the break in play seemed a welcome chance to regroup and from the restart they quickly upped their efforts. Props Chris Greenwood and Chris Wheeler played their parts with some hard work around the breakdown but it was the back row of Adam Binns, skipper Tom Dixon and the Man of the Match Sion Williams, recently converted from the centres, who stood out.

Against the wind on a narrow pitch the Bourne pack worked hard to maintain possession and although yards were hard to come by their effective recycling gave the backs a good platform and it was here that the away side made significant progress. Having worked their way up-field with some well built phases Bourne eventually shipped the ball to the right wing where the in-form Jack Lagdon stepped inside two men to finish some simple rugby. Scrum half Evison added the conversion and Bourne had a slender lead.

It wasn't long though before the home team went back in front though. Bourne were deemed to have lost their discipline after scoring their opening try and Stamford were awarded a penalty to restart the game. Kicking long into the corner they attempted to roll a maul into the corner. Having failed once they were awarded another penalty and this time they came away with the result they wanted as the pack drove over and grounded the ball. With the conversion added it was the home team's turn to have a narrow lead, 10 - 7.

With the first half fading away the game was clearly in the balance. Bourne still had something special up their sleeve though and having worked their way into the Stamford half they continued to pile the pressure on the home side. Stamford failed to make touch with a clearance kick which Bourne fullback Jack Berry gathered on the halfway line, Berry threw a long pass in field to lock Andrew Brown who threw another long pass to Maudsley in the midfield; Maudsley made yards before cutting through the first line of defenders and feeding Dixon who angled back against the remaining defenders to touch down. Evison added the extras once again and Bourne turned round 14 - 10 up.

Bourne started the second half the fresher side and Evison soon slotted a penalty to take the visitors a converted try ahead. Getting plenty of decent ball the Bourne backs soon started to dominate going forward; mixing their points of attack they had their opponents guessing as to what would happen next. Having shipped the ball wide a number of times Maudsley, at fly half, then hit centre Sam Harby at close range. Harby initially found plenty of space and even when this disappeared he was able to shrug off a number of defenders as he got closer and closer to the line. Eventually pulled down just yards short the Bourne pack in close support set a ruck which Stamford somehow seemed destined to disrupt; the ball however shot out of the side and appeared at the feet of Lagdon holding his position out on the wing - Lagdon, unable to believe his luck, gathered the ball and dropped over the line for his second. Evison missed the conversion but Bourne were now benefitting from a twelve-point margin.

Bourne continued to grow into the game and on their bigger home pitch might well have racked up a number of tries but they were restricted by the smaller dimensions of the Stamford pitch and some die-hard defence from their hosts. Pinned in their own half Stamford conceded a number of penalties and eventually they were punished when Bourne opted for the points and Evison added another three.

Although the win seemed a forgone conclusion Bourne didn't seem content and were almost desperate for more points before the game ended. From a scrum at the last play of the game the backs ran a move with Maudsley throwing a wide pass to get Berry running at the last defender with Lagdon outside him poised for his hat-trick; Lagdon however needlessly cut inside and met the cover defence. In their desperation to thwart Bourne's final attack Stamford slipped up at the ruck and gave away another penalty; Berry reacted quicker than anyone and taking it quickly crossed from five metres out despite the attention of a number of Stamford players. With Evison missing the conversion the game finished with Bourne worthy 30 - 10 winners.

Maudsley said: "credit to Stamford, they were as good a side as we've played this year. I know they have a number of players missing and that can be the only reason they aren't higher in the league." Talking about his own side Maudsley added, "the lads got what they deserved today - all season they've trained hard, made themselves available and regularly put in decent performances. There's no getting away from the fact we've had a couple of disappointments recently but on our day we're a good side and shouldn't fear anybody. Having said that we've proven we're beatable and we need to remain focussed rather than let ourselves get carried away!".

Man of the Match Williams, new to Bourne at the start of the season, was pleased with the result, "the season so far has been full of positives with considerably more good results than bad and we still believe we can get better." Reflecting on his own performance Williams added, "it's great to get recognition for playing well, particularly in a side with a number of talented players, but for us it's all about the team performance first and then the result - it's important that we all do our bit if we want to progress as a side."

Captain Dixon was full of praise for his side, "the lads produced another solid display today and it's a relief that we didn't let the pressure of a derby get the better of us this time." Dixon was quick to heap praise on Maudsley, "Dave's a huge influence at the Club. His contribution preparing the lads for each game is fantastic and he leaves no stone unturned in trying to get the best out of each of us on and off the field. The fact that we can also make use of his knowledge and experience in the heat of a game is a real bonus. I've learnt loads from him as a leader, a player and generally a decent guy."

Club Chairman Ted Thornburn echoed Dixon's thoughts, "the Club's in a good place. Dave's coordinating training and selection and developing a really positive culture at all levels of the Club; Tom's leading with his efforts on the pitch; the younger lads who have been loyal to the Club are coming of age and we're benefitting from the input of new guys like Sion and Chris (Greenwood) who have experienced and wise heads on their shoulders. We're continuing to strengthen our youth set-up and away from the pitch there's a motivated committee who are taking every opportunity to ensure the future is bright for the Club!"

Bourne
1 Wheeler
2 Appleby
3 Greenwood
4 Cooke
5 Brown
6 Williams
7 Binns
8 Dixon
9 Evison
10 Maudsley
11 Venables
12 Harby
13 Lynch
14 Lagdon
15 Berry
Reserves: Thornburn, Mambey, A Smith, Roberts, Holden