Third successive win since Christmas for 1st XV

Bourne's revival during the second half of the season continued at the weekend as they enjoyed an emphatic win over mid-table Stockwood Park. Their third successive win since Christmas saw Bourne leap from the foot of the table to eighth place, just reward for their sixth league win in their first season in Midlands 4 East (South).

With the game being postponed from the previous week Bourne had been forced to make a couple of changes to the squad but with a number of players returning from injury the club's strength in depth appears to be returning. Captain Tom Dixon (sponsored by The Moorings) had a big impact in his first appearance this side of Christmas and Sam Thornburn (sponsored by Trevs Tyres) put in a Man of the Match performance in his first eighty minutes for five months.

The game's opening ten minutes suggested that Stockwood had travelled well and both sides enjoyed their fair share of possession but also matched each other defensively. Bourne, however, pride themselves on their home performances and having grown into the season they looked confident as they started to wear down their opponents with a high tempo game.

Once again the Bourne pack were hugely influential. Although they didn't dominate the set-piece as they have on occasions this season their contribution in open play gave their guests little opportunity to get any sort of grip on the game and the home side started to make yards with some powerful ball carrying.

Bourne's progress seemed to be hindered with a double injury blow when both centre Josh Lynch (sponsored by Dave Maudsley) and wing Chris Warnes (sponsored by Maximum Nutrition – Peterborough) were hurt in the same phase of play leaving coach Dave Maudsley (sponsored by DT Accountancy) the issue of replacing two of his starting backline with only one back replacement on the bench. Utility back JD Charlton (sponsored by Chris Handley Plastering) came on to replace Lynch and flanker Ben Keast replaced Adam Binns (sponsored by The Roma Group, Lisa Batty and Drain Doctor) in the pack after Binns put himself forward to shift to the wing.

Despite the disruption to the line-up Bourne didn't falter and they were quickly rewarded for their endeavour. In a fantastic team effort every player was involved as the hosts forged their way upfield with an array of clever running and sublime offloads. The Bourne pack provided a season highlight as they were heavily involved in finishing the try, second row Sam Harby (sponsored by Ian Knight Stonework Brickwork) and hooker Harry Thornburn (sponsored by Sion Williams PT) linking in midfield to get the ball out wide where, ironically, it was Binns that finished the move. Despite a strong wind blowing across the pitch scrumhalf Sam Evison (sponsored by Moon & Evison Ltd) somehow added the conversion.

This opening try kick-started the game for Bourne who scored again in almost identical fashion. Lynch, having returned to the field, played a big part in the second try as his partnership with Thornburn continues to grow - the two linking well throughout the game. Having received a pass from Thornburn, Lynch made ground before finding Binns with a spectacular offload allowing him to cross for his second. Evison once again added the difficult conversion.

Bourne were clearly enjoying themselves and playing in a fashion that suggested they certainly haven't let their position in the table inhibit their ambitions. A third try came not long later and once again it appeared everybody played their part although it was fullback Jack Berry (sponsored by Ian Knight Stonework Brickwork) who played the biggest part and Lynch this time that turned finisher. From the opposite side of the pitch to his first two kicks Evison was on target once again.

The first half finished 21 - 0 and in the post match discussions it was heralded by many as the best forty minutes in the club's history. With so much at stake the Bourne players seemed to have finally found the sort of form that saw them promoted last season and may well see them avoid relegation this year.

Despite the blistering performance in the first half the result seemed in jeopardy in the opening ten minutes of the second half as Bourne conceded two quick tries. Bourne, with the sun and wind behind them, appeared to have switched off at the interval, perhaps thinking they had done enough, and some silly errors allowed the visitors an opportunity to get back into the game. With the conversions missed Bourne were now ahead 21 - 10 with half an hour to play and in danger of undoing their good work.

But the hosts quickly lifted their energy levels and once again took the game to Stockwood at a tempo that proved too much for the visitors. Evison and flyhalf Maudsley took control of the game and made good use of their pack who were superior to their opponents in most areas. Having scored three fabulous tries out wide in the first half Bourne concentrated their efforts more centrally in the second half and the forwards worked tirelessly to maintain possession. Stockwood's defence, although desperate, was resolute and Bourne were made to earn each yard but they were up to the task and their effective recycling of the ball put their opponents under considerable pressure.

Having spent a large chunk of time in the Stockwood twenty-two Bourne were eventually rewarded; replacement Andrew Brown (sponsored by The Roma Group) looked to be regaining his best form after a long injury lay-off and he was key to Bourne's next score. After another successful ruck on the Stockwood try-line Brown positioned himself smartly to provide Evison with the simplest of platforms to dive over from. Adding the kick Evison had taken his side to 28 - 10 securing the try bonus point as he did.

Stockwood put in a much better performance in the second half and the game was well balanced for much of the final twenty minutes. Bourne though looked the better side and it was them that crossed for the next try. As they had previously the Bourne forwards built a number of phases and this time it was Keast that crossed to extend the lead after evading the defence with some smart footwork.

Despite the result appearing to be a foregone conclusion the final fifteen minutes was full of action. With Stockwood building some late pressure Dixon was yellow carded for an infringement just off his own try-line. Opting for a scrum against the seven man Bourne pack Stockwood secured possession and a simple pick-up from their number eight brought their final try as he cruised through the gap in defence where theoretically Dixon would have been defending. Despite a straight forward kick Stockwood couldn't add the extras.

Fittingly it was Bourne who took the final points of the day when Stockwood, inside their own half, aimlessly kicked loose ball forward and inadvertently straight into the arms of Binns. Binns passed to wing Rob Bentley (sponsored by Kruger Equestrian) who has recorded tries in almost every game of Bourne's good run; with plenty of ground left to cover Bentley beat the final defender to dot down in the corner taking his side to thirty-eight points and a comfortable victory.

With just two other league games at the weekend Bourne's hopes for survival were boosted with both St Neots and Biggleswade losing. Bourne's victory now sees them sitting above four teams with just a handful of games left.

Coach Maudsley was delighted after the game, "The first half was a fantastic performance and the three tries were as good as I've ever seen in terms of team efforts. We switched off at the start of the second half but we were the better side for larger parts of the game and were well worthy of the win."

Maudsley was particularly pleased to see his side off the bottom of the league table: "We had an incredibly tough start to the season but we've had some good wins and we're finally sitting in a position that reflects that. There's a long way to go before the end of the season but the prospects look far better whilst there are four teams sitting below us!"

Dixon echoed Maudsley's sentiments: "We struggled at the start of the season when we weren't picking up losing bonus points but if we continue to play like this and win games we can put that behind us. We believe this is the right level for the club and we believe we deserve to stay here, so we need to finish the season strongly."