Maudsley praises forwards in 1st XV clash against league leaders Northampton Casuals

Despite the odds being against them Bourne continue to grow as they progress through their first season in Midlands 3. Having had a number of the top sides on the road Bourne were glad to be at home, albeit against top of the table Northampton Casuals who remain unbeaten in the league.

From the start Bourne didn't looked at all phased and they enjoyed early possession and territory; in contrast Casuals looked surprised to find bottom of the table Bourne playing with such confidence. Within minutes Bourne's pressure proved too much for the visitors and scrumhalf Sam Evison (sponsored by Moon & Evison Ltd) was given an opportunity to open the scoring, slotting an awkward penalty with relative ease.

Casuals had shaken off their journey by this point and quickly tried to assert themselves into the game. Bourne, however, clearly had no intention of laying down for their guests and despite evidence of a number of good ball runners the Casuals’ attacking phases were quickly thwarted by strong Bourne defence.

The game to-ed and fro-ed for the opening twenty minutes with Bourne looking the more comfortable side but it was this comfort that eventually proved their undoing. The Bourne forwards, credited for much of Bourne's resurgence in recent weeks, seemed to find another level yet again and made a number of breaks in open play. Unfortunately, in poor conditions, many of these breaks amounted to nothing with players trying to force offloads and possession being lost with the ball not finding the intended support runners.

Casuals were more clinical with the limited ball they did get and eventually reversed the momentum forcing Bourne back towards their own line. After a series of phases Casuals were shocked, however, to find the ball turned over as second row Keir Moore (sponsored by Electroflow Ltd), amidst some desperate defence from his teammates, stole the ball at a ruck and enabled Bourne to clear their line. It wasn't long though before Casuals were back on the Bourne try-line and this time they were clinical, driving over to secure the first try of the day. Although there was no clear grounding the referee was confident that the try had been scored. With the conversion added Bourne were just 7 - 3 down and the game was anybody's.

It was a surprise to both sides when Bourne appeared to switch off at the restart and Casuals immediately ran the ball back at their hosts, crossing to score again within just seconds of their previous try.

Now 14 - 3 down it looked like Bourne might be capitulating, but the error proved to be nothing more than a blip as they fought their way back into the game. With minutes left in the first half Evison slotted another penalty to edge his side closer.

In the final minute of the half though, Casuals were once again the more clinical of the sides as they applied pressure to the Bourne scrum winning a penalty which they converted, closing the half 17 - 6 ahead.

Bourne clearly weren't in the mood for rolling over and started the second half looking like a side hoping to prove a point. And they certainly proved a point in the opening ten minutes of the half as they made hard yards with every carry. Far more patient than they were in the first half the Bourne forwards accepted they would have to build momentum and recycled the ball through a number of phases rather than trying to keep the ball alive with frantic offloading. Taking their time at each ruck allowed the Bourne pack to work in pods alternating the workload and the focus of their attack. This approach proved successful when Adam Binns (sponsored by The Roma Group, Drain Doctor and Lisa Batty), at hooker for the day, crossed over from a metre out to give Bourne a glimmer of hope. With the kick missed Bourne were now 17 - 11 down and well within the game.

Just minutes later though, Binns' good work was undone as his side came under pressure. Finding himself at the back of a ruck Binns himself attempted to clear his line with a box-kick which was charged down; just metres from the line the Casuals players were first to react, gathering the ball to dot down. Despite suggestions that the Casuals player had initially been offside the try was allowed to stand.

Credit to the Bourne side the apparent injustice could once again have proven to be their downfall but the squad is proving to be increasingly resilient and they were very much equal to Casuals in the final quarter. The Bourne pack continued to be influential; captain Tom Dixon (sponsored by the Moorings) led by example and was well supported by flankers Sion Williams (sponsored by M.S Decor), making a welcome return after prolonged absence, and Dan Smith (sponsored by Martin Bradley Body Repairs) who was voted Man of the Match just ahead of Binns.

It wasn't a day for the backs but the Bourne backline played some smart rugby with what ball they had. Choosing mostly to link with the backrow, flyhalf Dave Maudsley (sponsored by DT Accountancy) and centre JD Charlton (sponsored by Chris Handley Plastering) were kept busy and on the occasions the ball went wide fullback Jack Berry (sponsored by Ian Knight Stonework Brickwork) and centre Josh Lynch (sponsored by Dave Maudsley) made good yards.

It was desperately unlucky for the Bourne side to concede in the final play of the game but the Casuals back three had threatened the entire game and they finished a decent move crossing to secure a bonus win, leaving Bourne to feel the 27 - 11 scoreline flattered their guests somewhat.

Coach Maudsley was understandably proud of his side's effort: "We put in a decent shift today but it's nothing more than we're capable of. We've had to weather a bit of a storm in the first half of the season and anybody who thinks we've struggled should take note of today's effort and watch how we get on in the second half of the season."

Maudsley was quick to pay tribute to his side's discipline: "Our discipline was excellent today and that's particularly admirable on a wet day against an unbeaten side with a number of good players. We worked hard today and the forwards were probably as good as I've ever seen them - to compete as they did is evidence we’re in the right league."

Assistant Manager John Hume echoed Maudsley's thoughts: "The lads put in a massive shift today and were unlucky not to get more out of the game. A couple of the Casuals’ tries were fifty-fifty calls and today luck went against us. That's the nature of sport though and we know there'll be times in the future when the calls go our way."