Bourne Lose in Narrow defeat to high Flying Oundle

The visitors who had beaten league leaders Bedford Swifts 43-0 last week were certainly going to be a stiff challenge for a young Bourne 1st XV
Tries from Adam Binns, Andy Dixon, Ed Cooke and prop Neil ‘Pitchero’ Wood meant Bourne led 27-20 going into the final quarter.
The visitors scored two late tries in a dramatic finish that saw Oundle leave Milking Nook Drove with a victory but Bourne still managed to secure 2 valuable bonus points but Bourne will be bitterly disappointed that they let the win slip away.
In a great encounter it was the visitors who shocked the home side as they struck with a quick try when they turned the ball over on halfway, quickly moved it wide brushed aside a Bourne tackle to sprint in unopposed.
Oundle again were to profit from the home side's generosity when the ball squirted out of the Bourne scrum. The back rower was the first to react and he bulldozed his way over.
Oundle added conversions to both tries, before Bourne hit back with a try from Binns on 27mins which he converted from a difficult angle. Bourne were glad Binns was back and in charge of the kicking duties as Mr 25% Tom Dixon (4/12 contribution at Stamford OB) was relegated to backup.
Bourne now were up for the fight and directly from the kick off Harry Thornburn collected the ball cleanly and cut through the Oundle defence before unloading to Andy Dixon who ran through a couple of tacklers to score a well worked try but unfortunately Binns pushed the conversion wide.
After a period of good work from the forwards and sustained pressure Bourne were awarded a penalty on 38 minutes which Binns converted.
Good back play from Binns Rossi Dixon Jones Mckenzie allowed Bourne to move ball quickly which nearly created another try but were stopped by a try saving tackle from the Oundle Centre. The pack held their own and on occasion had the upper hand with Xanti Appleby working well in the front row. Hume Faversham and Douglas work tirelessly at the breakdown to secure ball.
Bourne went into the second half with a narrow lead and looked to continue their exciting brand of rugby. More good forward play and a secure scrum allowed Bourne to continue to make progress into the oppositions half. Thornburn passed from the base of the scrum to Ed Cooke who went over on 46 mins.
Handling errors now were creeping into the game with Thornburn dropping a high ball which he should of caught and Cooke Snr knocking after failing to take a simple pass.
However Bourne continued to pressure the Oundle line and after a superb line out Bourne formed a driving maul which took Bourne to the Oundle line. The ball was recycled and Thornburn fired out a sharp pass to Neil ‘Pitchero’ Woods who ploughed over in the corner for a superb try. Binns converted from the touchline which kept the pressure on Oundle.
Subs Bower and Payne came on late on to add fresh legs to the Bourne effort but the joy was short-lived, as confusion in the Bourne midfield led to Oundle scoring a brace of late tries.
This was a much improved performance by Bourne and shows that all the hard work by the coaches and playing staff is starting to pay off and every single person should be proud of this week’s performance.

Man of the Match: Alan Faversham
Famous Quote of the week : “It’s not whether you get knocked down, it’s whether you get up.”
Gentlemen….If you are in any doubt how far we have come as a team please read Oundle’s match report.
Headline : Bourne shock the Eagles into Action! Link below.

http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/oundlerfc/s/match-centre-9344/1-759382